TikTok Empowers Users to Control AI Content on Their Feeds

TikTok is taking a significant step in enhancing user experience by allowing individuals to manage the amount of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated content displayed on their feeds. This announcement comes in light of the platform hosting over 1 billion AI videos, a figure that has grown rapidly due to the emergence of advanced video-generating tools like OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo 3.

As reported by The Guardian in August, nearly 10% of the fastest-growing YouTube channels are exclusively dedicated to AI-generated videos. Many of these videos have been labeled as "AI slop," a term that refers to low-quality, mass-produced content that can often be nonsensical or surreal.

Jade Nester, TikTok’s European director of public policy for safety and privacy, commented on this new feature: “We know from our community that many people enjoy content made with AI tools, from digital art to science explainers, and we want to give people the power to see more or less of that, based on their own preferences.” This user-centric approach is designed to cater to the diverse tastes of TikTok's audience.

The announcement was made during TikTok's annual European trust and safety forum held in Dublin. Currently, the platform has 1.3 billion videos categorized as AI-generated. Despite this large number, it is essential to note that AI content constitutes a small fraction of the over 100 million new pieces of content uploaded to TikTok daily.

Users can easily adjust their AI content settings by navigating to the “manage topic” section within the app and selecting “AI-generated content.” In addition to AI videos, users can also modify the visibility of content related to other topics such as current affairs, fashion, beauty, and dance.

To maintain transparency, TikTok has established guidelines requiring creators to label any “realistic” AI-generated content. Furthermore, the platform prohibits the posting of harmful deepfakes, particularly those involving public figures or significant crisis events. If a realistic AI video is not labeled, TikTok reserves the right to remove it under its community policies.

In its ongoing efforts to combat misinformation and ensure clear identification of AI-generated material, TikTok plans to implement an “AI-made” watermark on content created using its own AI tools. Additionally, videos flagged by the industry-wide initiative known as C2PA will also receive this watermark. This measure is aimed at preventing users from circumventing the labeling process.

In a bid to promote responsible AI usage, TikTok is launching a $2 million (£1.5 million) AI literacy fund. This fund will support experts and organizations, including Girls Who Code—a non-profit organization focused on teaching programming and robotics—in creating educational content that emphasizes the responsible use of AI technology.

As TikTok navigates the challenges of content moderation, it faces scrutiny over plans to reduce its workforce of content moderators in the UK. The company is set to lay off 439 employees from its trust and safety team based in London. This decision has raised concerns among trade unions and online safety advocates about the potential replacement of human moderators with AI technologies.

Brie Pegum, TikTok’s global head of program management for trust and safety, reassured stakeholders by emphasizing that human moderation will continue to play a crucial role. She stated, “AI can protect employees by removing the most distressing content before it has to be seen by humans.” This strategy aims to enhance the safety and well-being of content moderators while maintaining effective content oversight.

TikTok has reported a remarkable 76% decrease in the amount of shocking and graphic content viewed by human moderators over the past year, attributing this positive trend to the intervention of its automated systems. This statistic highlights the effectiveness of AI in improving the overall moderation process.

As TikTok continues to innovate and adapt its platform to meet user needs, the introduction of features that empower individuals to manage their exposure to AI-generated content marks a significant advancement in social media technology. By investing in AI literacy and maintaining strong community guidelines, TikTok is striving to foster a safer and more engaging environment for its users while navigating the complexities of modern technology.