TikTok is introducing a new feature that enables them to reduce the amount of AI-made media appearing in their timelines. This move comes as the platform disclosed that it currently hosts in excess of 1 billion AI videos.
Pilot Phase and Launch
The update is in a pilot phase over the coming weeks before a widespread launch. This shift aligns with a increase in AI-generated material, spurred by recent video-generation tools.
The Broader AI Trend
Studies have shown that approximately one in 10 of the quickest rising channels on another major platform exclusively feature clips produced artificially. A significant portion of this material is considered low-quality AI content, a term for poor-quality, bulk-generated content that is often illogical or bizarre.
“We know from our community that many people appreciate content produced via AI tools, from computer-generated images to educational videos, and we intend to provide users the power to adjust the amount of that, according to their own likes,” commented a company executive.
AI on the Platform
TikTok disclosed that there are now 1.3bn videos on its service identified as AI-generated. Overall, in excess of 100 mn pieces of content are added to the platform every day, making AI content a minor portion of its overall inventory.
User Control Features
Users will be capable of limit or boost the volume of AI content they watch by accessing the topic control option in the app and selecting AI-made media. Other topics that can already be adjusted under the tool cover news, fashion, cosmetics, and movement.
AI Disclosure Rules
TikTok’s policies require users to label lifelike AI-made content, and it forbids dangerous fake videos of well-known individuals or crisis events. Any authentic-looking AI video that is unmarked can be taken down under its user guidelines.
In addition, the app will henceforth apply an artificially created label to content created with its proprietary AI systems, or detected by an cross-platform project for identifying artificial media. This action is designed to stop users from seeking to circumvent the disclosure requirement.
Educational Initiatives
The company is additionally introducing a $2m educational fund for experts and organizations to create informative material about ethical AI use. This initiative will assist charitable organizations dedicated to teaching coding and technology.
Moderation Strategy
The platform has defended its safety measures, amid discussion over proposals to lay off hundreds of review team members in the UK. The company is expected to cut a significant number of roles in its content moderation department in its British office, with worker representatives and online safety experts raising concerns that humans are being replaced by AI moderation.
A senior executive clarified that human moderation would still have a role, but automated tools can safeguard staff by removing the most graphic content ahead of it gets reviewed by staff. The platform stated a 76% decrease in shocking and graphic content seen by content reviewers over the previous year due to intervention by its AI tools.
“We think that it’s essential to integrate staff and AI to ensure user safety,” the executive stated. “We’ll have humans as integral to the approach, but we additionally believe it’s extremely critical to reduce exposure to unsafe media as rapidly, which is why a extensive automated help is really helping us process content quickly.”