Platforms Introduce Controls to Combat the Rising Tide of AI-Generated Content
Artificial intelligence has unleashed a torrent of synthetic material across our digital landscapes, with low-quality AI creations now dominating feeds, screens and audio streams. From cartoonish videos featuring deceased celebrities to bizarre imagery and entirely fabricated musical acts, this phenomenon – widely termed AI slop – has become an inescapable part of the online experience. However, a growing number of platforms are now implementing settings and features designed to give users more control over this synthetic deluge.
The Challenge of Avoiding Synthetic Content
Henry Ajder, an expert who advises both businesses and governments on artificial intelligence and has studied deepfakes since 2018, offers a sobering perspective. He warns that completely eliminating AI slop from all your digital feeds remains incredibly difficult. Drawing a powerful analogy, Ajder compares the current situation to the industrial revolution's smog, created before pollution controls existed. "It's going to be very, very hard for people to avoid inhaling, in this analogy," he stated, highlighting the pervasive nature of the issue.
Pinterest's AI Content Tuner
Pinterest, which faced significant user criticism after embracing AI tools, has become something of a poster child for the AI slop problem. Users of the online moodboard complained that their inspirational feeds were becoming overrun with synthetic content. In response, the platform recently launched a content tuner feature, allowing users to adjust the volume of AI-generated material they encounter.
Initially rolled out on Android and desktop systems before a more gradual iOS release, this tool lets users "dial down the AI and add more of a human touch." Pinterest first targeted categories highly susceptible to AI modification, including beauty, art, fashion and home decor. The platform has since expanded these controls to cover architecture, entertainment, men's, women's and children's fashion, health, home décor, sport, and food and drink.
To access the tuner, navigate to Settings, then select "refine your recommendations." From there, tap on GenAI interests, where you'll find toggle switches to reduce AI content in specific categories.
TikTok's For You Feed Controls
Given its format, it's unsurprising that AI-generated videos have proliferated on TikTok, the short-video sharing giant. The company itself acknowledges hosting at least 1.3 billion video clips labelled as AI-generated. In November, TikTok began testing an update to provide users with greater control over synthetic content in their For You feeds, though a widespread release date remains unclear.
To check for this feature on the mobile app, go to Settings, then Content Preferences, and select Manage Topics. Here, sliders allow you to control various content types like dance, humour, lifestyle and nature. Alternatively, from your For You feed, tap the Share button on any post, select Why this Video, then Adjust your For You, and finally Manage topics. A new slider should appear for adjusting AI-generated content levels.
TikTok emphasises these controls tailor content rather than removing it entirely. "This means that people who love AI-generated history content can see more of this content, while those who'd rather see less can choose to dial things down," the company explained. The feature is currently unavailable on desktop browsers.
Deezer's AI Music Labelling
Within the music streaming sector, tools like Suno and Udio enable users to create polished pop songs simply by typing ideas into a chatbot. This has led to services being flooded with AI tunes, often uploaded by accounts impersonating genuine artists. Among streaming platforms, Deezer, a smaller European-based service, stands out by actively labelling AI-generated tracks to help listeners distinguish them.
"Deezer has been really, really pushing the anti-AI generation music narrative," noted Henry Ajder. The platform reports that approximately 60,000 fully AI-generated tracks – representing over 39% of daily uploads – are added every day. Last year alone, Deezer detected and labelled more than 13.4 million AI tracks, noting that many uploaders attempt to generate revenue through fraudulent streaming.
Alternative Platforms Avoiding AI
For those willing to explore beyond major tech platforms, a new generation of apps specifically targets users seeking to avoid synthetic content altogether.
- Cara: A portfolio-sharing platform for artists that explicitly bans AI-generated work.
- Pixelfed: An ad-free alternative to Instagram where users can join communities, including art-focused servers that prohibit AI content.
- Spread: A new social media platform dedicated to providing content for people who wish to "access human ideas" and escape the AI slop flood.
- diVine: An upcoming reboot of Twitter founder Jack Dorsey's defunct short-form video app Vine, currently in limited prerelease for Apple iOS. It promises "No AI Slop" and employs multiple detection methods, with an Android beta expected soon.
While completely eradicating AI slop may prove challenging, these emerging tools and platforms represent significant steps toward reclaiming a more human-centric digital experience. As synthetic content continues to evolve, user controls and alternative services will likely play an increasingly vital role in managing our online environments.
