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TikTok is introducing a new feature that allows them to reduce the amount of artificial intelligence-produced content appearing in their feeds. This step comes as the company revealed that it now features more than 1 bn AI videos.

Pilot Phase and Launch

The update is in a pilot phase over the coming weeks before a widespread launch. This advancement aligns with a surge in AI content, driven by new content generation software.

AI Proliferation Online

Studies have shown that almost one in 10 of the fastest-growing video streams on a competing service only show clips produced artificially. A large amount of this output is considered “AI slop”, a phrase for substandard, mass-produced content that is often illogical or surreal.

Based on user feedback that many people appreciate content created using AI tools, including AI artwork to informative clips, and we intend to offer the community the option to see more or less of that, depending on their own choices,” said a spokesperson.

Scale of AI Content

The service announced that there are presently over a billion videos on its app identified as made with AI. In total, more than 100 million videos are submitted to the service every day, making clips made by AI a relatively small part of its complete catalog.

How to Adjust Settings

Members will be able to limit or boost the volume of AI content they watch by accessing the content preference setting in the application and selecting AI-made media. Other topics that currently be adjusted under the filter cover news, fashion, cosmetics, and choreography.

Content Labeling and Policies

Its policies require users to label convincing AI-generated content, and it forbids dangerous fake videos of public figures or crisis events. Any believable AI video that is not labeled can be deleted under its user guidelines.

Additionally, the platform will henceforth attach an “AI-made” watermark to content made using its built-in AI features, or identified by an cross-platform project for identifying artificial media. This step is designed to help prevent users from trying to circumvent the labeling process.

Educational Initiatives

TikTok is additionally launching a two million dollar awareness program for professionals and groups to create educational content about ethical AI use. This initiative will assist non-profit groups focused on educating coding and technology.

Content Safety Approach

The platform has supported its safety measures, amid debate over plans to make redundant numerous review team members in the UK. The company is planning to eliminate hundreds of positions in its trust and safety team in its British office, with trade unions and online safety experts raising concerns that staff are being displaced by AI moderation.

A senior executive explained that people-led review would remain essential, but artificial intelligence can protect employees by removing the most distressing content before it is viewed by humans. The company announced a significant reduction in explicit and harmful content seen by safety staff over the last 12 months due to the use of its machine learning processes.

It is vital to combine staff and AI to ensure user safety,” the official commented. “We’ll have people as part of that process, but we additionally believe it’s very important to limit contact with unsafe media as swiftly, which is why a significant AI assistance is making a difference work at speed.”