TikTok is introducing a new feature that permits them to reduce the amount of artificial intelligence-produced videos appearing in their feeds. This step comes as the service disclosed that it now features in excess of 1 thousand million AI-generated clips.
Testing and Rollout
The new functionality is being tested over the next few weeks before a full-scale release. This shift aligns with a surge in content created by AI, driven by new content generation software.
AI Content on Other Platforms
It has been noted that nearly a tenth of the most rapidly expanding content creators on a competing service primarily display content made by AI. A large amount of this content is deemed mass-produced AI material, a label for inferior, factory-style content that is typically illogical or dreamlike.
“We know from our community that many people like content created using AI tools, ranging from computer-generated images to educational videos, and we intend to offer the community the option to see more or less of that, depending on their own choices,” commented a company executive.
Scale of AI Content
The platform shared that there are presently over a billion videos on its network identified as made with AI. In total, more than 100 m videos are added to the platform every day, making AI-generated material a relatively small percentage of its complete catalog.
User Control Features
Users will be able to limit or boost the level of artificial media they view by accessing the “manage topic” option in the platform and picking “AI-generated content”. Additional categories that can already be modified under the tool encompass current affairs, fashion, beauty, and choreography.
Content Labeling and Policies
The platform’s policies require content makers to identify “realistic” artificially created content, and it prohibits dangerous deepfakes of celebrities or emergencies. Any realistic AI-generated clip that is not labeled can be taken down under its terms of service.
Additionally, the platform will henceforth apply an artificially created watermark to content created with its own AI tools, or detected by an collaborative effort for identifying artificial media. This action is intended to stop users from seeking to circumvent the disclosure requirement.
Educational Initiatives
TikTok is also introducing a $2 million educational fund for experts and groups to develop educational content about ethical AI use. This program will assist non-profit groups specializing in training coding and technology.
Content Safety Approach
The platform has justified its moderation strategy, amid controversy over proposals to cut jobs for a large number of review team members in Britain. The company is set to reduce a significant number of roles in its user protection team in London, with labor groups and internet security professionals voicing alarm that staff are being displaced by automated systems.
A senior executive explained that people-led review would still have a role, but automated tools can protect employees by eliminating the most harmful content before it is viewed by people. TikTok stated a 76% decrease in disturbing and violent content seen by content reviewers over the past year due to intervention by its AI tools.
We believe it is crucial to integrate people and machines to keep the platform safe,” the official commented. “We’ll have staff as part of that process, but we additionally believe it’s highly necessary to limit contact with dangerous material as rapidly, which is why a significant AI assistance is proving valuable work at speed.”
