TikTok is introducing a fresh option that allows them to cut down on the volume of AI-made videos appearing in their timelines. This step comes as the service revealed that it now features more than 1 bn content made with AI.
Pilot Phase and Launch
This change is in a pilot phase over the coming weeks before a global rollout. This shift coincides with a surge in AI-generated material, fueled by recent AI video creators.
AI Proliferation Online
Studies have shown that approximately one in 10 of the quickest rising video streams on another major platform only show clips produced artificially. A large amount of this material is deemed mass-produced AI material, a term for poor-quality, mass-produced content that is often nonsensical or dreamlike.
“We know from our community that numerous viewers appreciate content created using AI tools, from AI artwork to science explainers, and we intend to provide users the power to adjust the amount of that, depending on their own choices,” said a company executive.
AI on the Platform
The platform announced that there are now 1.3bn videos on its service tagged as artificially created. In total, more than 100 m media items are uploaded to the app every day, making clips made by AI a limited percentage of its total content library.
User Control Features
Viewers will be able to decrease or raise the amount of artificial media they see by using the content preference option in the platform and selecting AI-made media. Other topics that are already be adjusted under the setting include current affairs, fashion, aesthetics, and movement.
AI Disclosure Rules
Its guidelines mandate content makers to label “realistic” AI-made content, and it bans dangerous fake videos of public figures or emergencies. Any realistic artificial content that is not labeled can be deleted under its community policies.
Additionally, the app will from now on apply an AI-generated watermark to content made using its proprietary AI systems, or flagged by an industry-wide initiative for identifying AI-generated material. This action is designed to stop users from attempting to circumvent the tagging system.
AI Literacy Programs
The platform is furthermore introducing a $2m AI literacy fund for experts and institutions to produce educational content about ethical AI use. This initiative will assist charitable organizations specializing in training programming and robotics.
Moderation Strategy
The platform has defended its moderation strategy, during debate over plans to make redundant numerous safety staff in the UK. The company is planning to reduce a significant number of roles in its content moderation team in the UK capital, with trade unions and digital protection specialists expressing worry that staff are being displaced by automated systems.
A trust and safety lead clarified that human moderation would continue to be important, but automated tools can protect employees by removing the most harmful content before it is viewed by humans. TikTok announced a significant reduction in shocking and graphic content reviewed by safety staff over the last 12 months due to reliance on its AI tools.
We believe it is crucial to combine people and machines to maintain a secure environment,” she said. “We’ll have people as involved in the system, but we additionally believe it’s extremely critical to limit contact with unsafe media as quickly as possible, which is the area in which a significant AI assistance is proving valuable work at speed.”
