LinkedIn Targets AI-Generated 'Slop' with New Report Button and Features
LinkedIn is taking steps to combat low-quality AI-generated content, also known as "AI slop," that has been flooding its feed. The company is introducing a new "seems like AI slop" button, which users can click when they suspect a post has been written with AI.
The Shift Against AI Content
A broader shift is underway across online publishing platforms to cut back on AI content, as people have grown frustrated with the computer-written, inauthentic posts filling the web. Other platforms, such as newsletter platform Substack, have also taken steps to address the issue, partnering with AI detection firm Pangram to help users identify AI-generated content.
LinkedIn's Efforts
LinkedIn's Chief Product Officer Hari Srinivasan acknowledged the issue, stating that "AI slop is a top priority for all of us." The company is implementing several measures to reduce low-quality AI-generated content, including:
- Blocking hundreds of thousands of automated comment attempts daily
- Millions of other automation attempts in just the past couple of months
- Introducing new classifiers to identify AI-generated content
- Privately flagging users' dashboards when people believe their content is coming off as inauthentic due to heavy use of AI
- Replacing its "enhance your post" feature, which used AI to help users write, with a proofreading feature
- Expanding access to profile and page verification tools
- Adding an option to block comments from company pages you no longer want to see
The Impact of AI Slop
The proliferation of low-quality AI-generated content has significant consequences, including overwhelming users with inauthentic posts and making it difficult for them to find valuable information. The issue is also affecting new startups, as Digg had to shut down its Reddit competitor in March due to the high volume of bots on its site.
The Future of AI Content
As the problem of AI slop continues to grow, it's clear that online platforms must take action to ensure that users can trust the content they see. By investing in automation defenses and improving content classification, LinkedIn is taking a crucial step towards addressing this issue and providing a more authentic experience for its users.