TikTok is introducing a updated setting that permits them to lessen the amount of artificial intelligence-produced media appearing in their streams. This move comes as the company disclosed that it now features over 1 bn content made with AI.
Testing and Rollout
The new functionality is undergoing trials over the coming weeks before a full-scale launch. This development comes amid a rise in AI content, spurred by new content generation software.
The Broader AI Trend
It has been noted that nearly 10% of the fastest-growing channels on a popular video site primarily display clips produced artificially. A significant portion of this material is considered mass-produced AI material, a phrase for substandard, mass-produced content that is typically nonsensical or bizarre.
Our research shows that numerous viewers like content produced via AI tools, ranging from digital art to educational videos, and we aim to provide users the option to adjust the amount of that, based on their own likes,” commented a company executive.
AI on the Platform
The platform disclosed that there are now over a billion videos on its service tagged as artificially created. In total, in excess of 100 million media items are submitted to the service daily, making AI-generated material a minor portion of its complete catalog.
How to Adjust Settings
Members will be able to reduce or increase the level of AI-generated videos they watch by opening the content preference setting in the app and choosing the AI content topic. Other topics that can already be controlled under the tool include politics, clothing, beauty, and movement.
AI Disclosure Rules
TikTok’s guidelines mandate users to identify “realistic” AI-made content, and it bans malicious deepfakes of celebrities or critical incidents. Any authentic-looking AI video that is not labeled can be removed under its community policies.
Furthermore, the platform will henceforth attach an AI-generated watermark to content produced via its proprietary AI systems, or identified by an cross-platform project for recognizing artificial media. This measure is intended to help prevent users from trying to bypass the labeling process.
AI Literacy Programs
The company is also launching a $2m awareness program for specialists and institutions to create learning resources about using AI responsibly. This initiative will support non-profit groups dedicated to training programming and robotics.
Content Safety Approach
The platform has supported its content review process, amid controversy over plans to lay off a large number of review team members in the UK. TikTok is set to reduce 439 jobs in its trust and safety division in London, with worker representatives and online safety experts voicing alarm that staff are being displaced by automated systems.
A senior executive clarified that human moderation would remain essential, but artificial intelligence can protect employees by removing the most graphic content prior to it is viewed by staff. The company stated a notable drop in disturbing and violent content handled by content reviewers over the last 12 months due to reliance on its automated systems.
It is vital to balance people and machines to ensure user safety,” she said. “We’ll have staff as part of that process, but we further consider it’s very important to reduce exposure to harmful content as quickly as possible, which is where a lot of the machine support is proving valuable process content quickly.”
