TikTok, the globally popular short-form video platform, is introducing a new suite of tools aimed at giving users more authority over the AI-generated content (AIGC) they encounter. The updates include a new setting within the app to control AIGC exposure in the For You feed and the testing of an advanced “invisible watermarking” technology to improve content labeling.
Tailoring The For You Feed
In a move to empower user choice, TikTok is rolling out a new AIGC control within its “Manage Topics” tool. This feature allows users to adjust a slider, indicating whether they want to see more or less AI-generated content, similar to how they can currently manage categories like Sports or Food.
The new capability, which will be accessible via Settings > Content Preferences > Manage Topics, is designed to help users tailor their feed rather than completely removing a content category. This launch comes as other major platforms like Meta and OpenAI are developing AI-centric social feeds, highlighting a growing industry focus on AI-driven content creation and consumption.
Enhancing AI Content Detection
To address the challenge of content authenticity, TikTok is bolstering its labeling technology. While the platform already requires creators to label realistic AIGC and utilizes the cross-industry Content Credentials standard from C2PA, it acknowledges that these labels can be removed when content is edited or re-uploaded.
To combat this, TikTok is testing “invisible watermarks,” a proprietary technology that embeds a watermark only readable by the platform, making it significantly harder to remove. These watermarks will be applied to AIGC created with TikTok’s native tools and to content uploaded with existing C2PA credentials, creating a more robust system for reliable labeling.
Relevance for the MENA Region
For the MENA tech ecosystem, TikTok’s latest moves are particularly significant. The region boasts one of the highest social media penetration rates globally, with TikTok being a dominant platform for both consumers and a rapidly growing creator economy centered in hubs like Dubai and Riyadh.
These new controls offer MENA-based creators and brands a clearer framework for engaging with AI tools, ensuring transparency with their audiences. For the vast user base, it provides a much-needed tool to curate their digital experience amid the rising tide of AI-generated media. As regional startups increasingly leverage AI for marketing and content, these developments in content labeling and user choice set an important precedent for maintaining digital trust and authenticity.
Championing AI Literacy
Alongside these product updates, TikTok has announced a $2 million AI literacy fund. The initiative aims to partner with experts and non-profits, including Girls Who Code, to develop educational content that teaches the public about AI technology and safety, fostering a more informed digital community.
About TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform for creating, sharing, and discovering short-form video content. Owned by ByteDance, it has become a global cultural phenomenon, known for its powerful algorithm that serves a highly personalized “For You” feed to its users. The platform enables a wide range of content, from dance challenges and lip-sync videos to educational tutorials and comedy skits.
Source: TechCrunch
