According to Digital Trends, TikTok is launching a comprehensive set of tools to tackle the AI content flood, including a new slider in Settings > Content Preferences > Manage Topics that lets users control how much AI-generated content appears in their feeds. The platform is implementing stronger automatic detection and clearer “Created with AI” labels, even when creators don’t disclose AI use. TikTok is also testing invisible watermark technology that embeds detectable signals in AI-created audio and video, making identification harder to remove than current C2PA Content Credentials. The company is backing this with a $2 million AI-literacy fund to support educational content about responsible AI use. These updates will roll out globally in phases over the coming weeks, with labels appearing first followed by user controls.
Why this actually matters
Here’s the thing – we’re way past the point where AI content is just funny memes or weird art experiments. This stuff is now being used for news-style edits, political content, and even disturbing material that looks completely real. And the current labeling systems? Basically useless once someone reposts or edits the video. TikTok’s invisible watermark approach could actually make a difference because it’s embedded in the media itself, not just tacked on as metadata that gets stripped during sharing.
Your feed, your rules
Finally, some actual control over what you’re scrolling through. That slider in content preferences? That’s TikTok admitting that AI slop has become a real problem. Think about it – how many times have you watched something thinking it was real, only to realize it’s AI-generated? Now you can dial that down if you want. Or crank it up if you’re into that sort of thing. The fact that they’re giving users this choice shows how pervasive AI content has become – they wouldn’t build the feature if it wasn’t needed.
What creators need to know
If you’re making content on TikTok, pay attention. Your AI-generated videos are about to get tagged, watermarked, and treated differently whether you like it or not. TikTok says they’ll apply these invisible watermarks to content made with their own tools like AI Editor Pro, plus anything uploaded with existing C2PA metadata. It’s smart to start thinking about how you produce and label your work now, because the platform is clearly getting serious about transparency. The days of slipping AI content past viewers are numbered.
The bigger picture here
This isn’t just about TikTok cleaning up its feed – it’s part of a much larger conversation about how we navigate an increasingly AI-saturated internet. Every platform is grappling with this problem, but TikTok’s approach with both user controls and technical solutions like invisible watermarks is actually pretty comprehensive. The $2 million AI literacy fund is interesting too – they’re not just throwing technology at the problem, but trying to educate users. Will it work? Hard to say, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction compared to the current wild west situation. You can read TikTok’s full announcement about their AI content initiatives here.
