Major social media companies are rolling out tools to help users avoid low-quality artificial intelligence content.
As artificial intelligence-generated content floods the internet, technology platforms are scrambling to offer users ways to filter out what has become known as “AI slop” – cheap, mass-produced synthetic media that is cluttering online spaces.
The surge in easily accessible generative AI tools, such as Google’s Veo and OpenAI’s Sora, has enabled anyone to create realistic imagery using just a few descriptive words. The result has been an explosion of low-quality content ranging from images of cats painting to celebrities in compromising situations and cartoon characters endorsing products.
“The rise of AI has raised concerns about low-quality content — also known as AI slop,” said YouTube chief executive Neal Mohan, describing the phenomenon that has frustrated users across platforms.
Filtering solutions emerge
In response to user complaints, several major platforms have begun introducing filtering options. Pinterest was among the first to act, allowing users to filter out AI-generated content late last year after hearing from people who wanted to see fewer synthetic images.
TikTok followed suit with a similar filter on its globally popular video platform, whilst YouTube, along with Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook, now offers ways to reduce synthetic imagery exposure, though without providing clear-cut filtering options.
The platforms had previously focused primarily on labelling AI-created videos to prevent viewers from mistaking them for real scenes, but substantial amounts of synthetic content appeared to avoid these labels.
Mixed reactions to AI creativity
The response to AI-generated content has been divided. Brands like Equinox gyms and Almond Breeze almond milk have capitalised on AI slop frustration in recent advertising campaigns, positioning themselves as authentic alternatives.
Meanwhile, Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella has urged people to move beyond debating whether AI creations constitute slop or sophistication, instead embracing the technology as a tool for amplifying creativity and productivity.
“At its core, the criticism of AI slop is the criticism of some individual’s creative expression,” argued Bob Doyle, a YouTube personality specialising in AI-driven media creation.
“You may think it’s useless, but to them it’s the beginning of an idea; a seed.”
Smaller platforms take stronger stance
Some smaller technology companies have introduced more robust measures. Streaming platform Coda Music requires users to report AI creations, with confirmed accounts receiving labels identifying them as AI artists.
“There has been a lot of participation in the identification of AI artists so far,” said Coda founder and chief executive Randy Fusee. “By and large, (Coda users) just don’t want AI music.”
The platform, which has approximately 2 500 users, offers the option to completely block AI content from suggested playlists.
Cara, a social network for artists and designers with more than one million users, uses a combination of algorithms and human moderation to filter AI-generated content.
“People want the human connection,” said Cara founder Jingna Zhang. “I could like a child’s drawing because I’m charmed by it, as opposed to (something made by) a machine with no intention.”
The debate over AI-generated content reflects broader questions about the role of artificial intelligence in creative expression and the value users place on human-created versus machine-generated media.
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