TikTok is introducing a new feature that enables them to cut down on the amount of AI-created content appearing in their feeds. This step comes as the service revealed that it now features in excess of 1 thousand million AI videos.
Trial and Implementation
The new functionality is in a pilot phase over the next few weeks before a full-scale release. This development coincides with a increase in AI-generated material, fueled by recent video-generation tools.
AI Proliferation Online
Studies have shown that nearly 10% of the quickest rising channels on a competing service only show clips produced artificially. A large amount of this material is considered mass-produced AI material, a phrase for substandard, bulk-generated content that is frequently absurd or bizarre.
“We know from our community that a lot of users like content produced via AI tools, ranging from digital art to informative clips, and we want to provide users the option to adjust the amount of that, according to their own choices,” commented a spokesperson.
AI on the Platform
TikTok shared that there are now over a billion videos on its network identified as AI-generated. In total, in excess of 100 m pieces of content are submitted to the service every day, making AI content a relatively small portion of its complete catalog.
User Control Features
Members will be able to limit or boost the level of AI-generated videos they view by opening the “manage topic” option in the app and picking “AI-generated content”. Other topics that can already be modified under the tool include news, style, aesthetics, and dance.
AI Disclosure Rules
TikTok’s rules oblige creators to tag lifelike AI-made content, and it prohibits malicious fake videos of well-known individuals or crisis events. Any believable AI-generated clip that is unmarked can be taken down under its community policies.
Furthermore, the platform will now attach an artificially created label to content created with its proprietary AI systems, or detected by an collaborative effort for spotting content made by AI. This step is intended to help prevent users from trying to bypass the tagging system.
Educational Initiatives
The platform is additionally introducing a $2 million educational fund for experts and groups to create learning resources about using AI responsibly. This program will benefit educational bodies focused on educating computer science.
Content Safety Approach
The platform has justified its safety measures, during debate over plans to make redundant hundreds of safety staff in the United Kingdom. The company is expected to cut hundreds of positions in its trust and safety department in its British office, with trade unions and digital protection specialists raising concerns that staff are being displaced by automated systems.
A trust and safety lead clarified that staff-based oversight would remain essential, but automated tools can safeguard staff by eliminating the most distressing content before it gets reviewed by humans. TikTok announced a significant reduction in shocking and graphic content seen by content reviewers over the last 12 months due to reliance on its machine learning processes.
“We think that it’s essential to integrate humans and technology to ensure user safety,” the executive stated. “We’ll have people as integral to the approach, but we also think it’s extremely critical to reduce exposure to harmful content as swiftly, which is where a significant AI assistance is proving valuable process content quickly.”
