TikTok is introducing a updated setting that allows them to reduce the quantity of AI-created content appearing in their timelines. This move comes as the platform revealed that it now features more than 1 bn content made with AI.
Trial and Implementation
The update is being tested over the next few weeks before a widespread launch. This development coincides with a increase in content created by AI, spurred by recent video-generation tools.
The Broader AI Trend
Recent reports that nearly one in 10 of the quickest rising channels on a popular video site only show clips produced artificially. A considerable share of this content is deemed mass-produced AI material, a label for substandard, bulk-generated content that is frequently nonsensical or surreal.
Based on user feedback that many people appreciate content created using AI tools, including AI artwork to informative clips, and we aim to provide users the option to increase or decrease of that, according to their own likes,” stated a company executive.
Volume and Proportions
The platform shared that there are now 1.3 billion videos on its service labeled as made with AI. In total, over 100 mn media items are submitted to the platform every day, making clips made by AI a relatively small part of its complete catalog.
User Control Features
Members will be in a position to reduce or increase the level of AI content they view by opening the topic control feature in the app and picking the AI content topic. Other topics that are already be modified under the filter encompass news, style, beauty, and choreography.
Platform Guidelines
The platform’s guidelines require creators to tag “realistic” AI-generated content, and it forbids dangerous deepfakes of celebrities or emergencies. Any authentic-looking AI-generated clip that is not labeled can be deleted under its terms of service.
Furthermore, the platform will henceforth apply an “AI-made” watermark to content produced via its built-in AI features, or detected by an industry-wide initiative for recognizing content made by AI. This measure is aimed to stop users from seeking to evade the labeling process.
AI Literacy Programs
TikTok is furthermore launching a $2m AI literacy fund for experts and groups to produce educational content about ethical AI use. This project will support educational bodies focused on educating computer science.
Moderation Strategy
TikTok has supported its safety measures, following debate over proposals to lay off hundreds of content moderators in Britain. TikTok is set to cut hundreds of positions in its trust and safety team in its British office, with trade unions and digital protection specialists raising concerns that people are being substituted by automated systems.
A trust and safety lead clarified that staff-based oversight would remain essential, but AI can shield workers by filtering out the most graphic content before it has to be seen by humans. The company announced a 76% decrease in disturbing and violent content reviewed by human moderators over the previous year due to intervention by its AI tools.
“We think that it’s essential to integrate people and machines to keep the platform safe,” the executive stated. “We’ll have people as integral to the approach, but we also think it’s highly necessary to limit contact with unsafe media as quickly as possible, which is where a lot of the machine support is making a difference process content quickly.”
