TikTok's AI Videos Reach Billions — Report Finds Hidden Anti-Immigrant Messages Rising

TikTok's never-ending feed of entertaining videos is no longer just fun- it's becoming a medium for hidden messages to circulate. Every month, AI-generated accounts on the social media platform, known for its highly engaging content, haul in billions of views and are constantly flagged for having anti-immigrant subtext.

A report by The Guardian has found over 350 AI-driven accounts, amassing a staggering 4.5 billion views a month. Reports have uncovered anti-immigrant and even sexualised content.

The Guardian further states that several of these accounts appear to be 'manipulating' the platform's algorithm by flooding it with AI-generated content. This technique allows content to make it to the users' 'fyp' pages, otherwise known as going 'viral.'

Behind These Videos

These viral videos employ low-key techniques in influencing the audience's views, particularly in hate speech against immigrants and racial slurs. They come in the form of satirical, humorous videos or sometimes as memes.

This AI-generated content has reached over 1 billion views on TikTok alone. A video showing an anti-immigrant narrative is still garnering views as of writing, despite clearly violating the platform's policies on hate speech.

Despite depicting outright hate speech, these alarming videos can go viral and avoid detection, even racking up billions of views. Some accounts are even converting to affiliate marketing or making sales through their TikTok shops, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism points out.

As these videos are nuanced and designed to slip through the cracks, they're much harder to spot and often bypass TikTok's automated detection systems. They not only spread unchecked but also reach a broader audience, usually gaining popularity long before TikTok's moderators can detect them.

With the platform's ongoing efforts to keep its moderation systems up to date, the volume of these uploads and the highly realistic nature and appearance of AI-generated content make identifying and removing them difficult.

This issue emphasises our need to employ more vigorous security measures to protect us not only from racial discrimination, but also from content designed to influence our perceptions.

TikTok's Response to Misinformation and Bias

Fortunately, a number of these accounts have since been taken down by TikTok. 'On TikTok, we remove harmful AIGC [artificial intelligence-generated content], block hundreds of millions of bot accounts from being created, invest in industry-leading AI-labelling technologies and empower people with tools and education to control how they experience this content on our platform,' says a TikTok spokesperson as reported by the Guardian.

Furthermore, the platform took steps early in November to help users reduce the amount of AI content in their feeds.

According to the Guardian, an 'AI-made' watermark will now be indicated on any content made via TikTok's AI tools, and the content will go through the industry-wide C2PA system to detect AI-generated material- a move to stop users from bypassing the labelling process.

In Conclusion

As TikTok continues to grow in popularity, the rise of AI-generated videos with hidden anti-immigrant messages, or possibly a hidden agenda, puts users at risk.

TikTok is definitely not taking this issue lightly and, as such, has implemented security measures to prevent the spread of these videos and malicious, fake, or biased information throughout the platform.