Tech companies like Meta and YouTube are embracing AI content creation tools, with YouTube's CEO reporting over one million channels used AI tools in December alone, while acknowledging concerns about “low-quality content” and promising to work on removal systems.

Research from Kapwing found that 20% of content shown to new YouTube accounts is “low-quality AI video,” with some AI channels earning millions annually from views, though a backlash is emerging with many users expressing frustration in comments about the flood of AI-generated content across social platforms.

Emily Thorson, associate professor of political science, says whether or not it matters depends on what people are doing on the social media platform.

“If a person is on a short-video platform solely for entertainment, then their standard for whether something is worthwhile is simply ‘is it entertaining?’,’ she says. “But if someone is on the platform to learn about a topic or to connect with community members, then they might perceive AI-generated content as more problematic.”

Read more in the BBC article, “AI ‘slop’ is transforming social media - and a backlash is brewing.”