The platform is rolling out a new feature that enables them to reduce the volume of artificial intelligence-produced videos appearing in their timelines. This initiative comes as the platform announced that it now features in excess of 1 billion content made with AI.
Pilot Phase and Launch
The new functionality is undergoing trials over the following weeks before a global release. This shift aligns with a increase in content created by AI, spurred by emerging content generation software.
AI Proliferation Online
Studies have shown that nearly one in 10 of the quickest rising channels on a popular video site primarily display AI-generated videos. A significant portion of this material is deemed “AI slop”, a phrase for inferior, mass-produced content that is often nonsensical or surreal.
Based on user feedback that numerous viewers appreciate content produced via AI tools, including digital art to science explainers, and we aim to offer the community the option to adjust the amount of that, according to their own preferences,” stated a company executive.
AI on the Platform
TikTok disclosed that there are now over a billion videos on its network identified as made with AI. Collectively, more than 100 m media items are submitted to the platform daily, making clips made by AI a relatively small portion of its overall inventory.
How to Adjust Settings
Viewers will be able to reduce or increase the level of artificial media they view by using the “manage topic” option in the application and selecting the AI content topic. Further subjects that can already be adjusted under the filter cover news, clothing, aesthetics, and choreography.
Platform Guidelines
Its guidelines require users to tag convincing artificially created content, and it bans malicious deepfakes of public figures or emergencies. Any believable AI-generated clip that is not labeled can be deleted under its user guidelines.
Furthermore, the platform will now apply an artificially created watermark to content made using its built-in AI features, or flagged by an cross-platform project for identifying AI-generated material. This step is aimed to deter users from seeking to bypass the tagging system.
AI Literacy Programs
TikTok is additionally introducing a $2 million awareness program for specialists and groups to develop informative material about ethical AI use. This initiative will support charitable organizations specializing in teaching computer science.
Content Safety Approach
The video-sharing app has supported its safety measures, amid debate over proposals to lay off hundreds of safety staff in the UK. TikTok is planning to reduce a significant number of roles in its user protection team in the UK capital, with worker representatives and internet security professionals raising concerns that staff are being displaced by automated systems.
A senior executive explained that staff-based oversight would continue to be important, but automated tools can safeguard staff by filtering out the most distressing content ahead of it gets reviewed by staff. TikTok reported a significant reduction in shocking and graphic content handled by human moderators over the last 12 months due to the use of its AI tools.
It is vital to combine staff and AI to keep the platform safe,” she said. “We’ll have staff as integral to the approach, but we also think it’s very important to reduce exposure to harmful content as swiftly, which is where a significant AI assistance is making a difference operate efficiently.”
