Everyone seems to be picking a side when it comes to AI-generated content. Some think we should have the option to turn it off, while others embrace it fully. The question is, should there be a simple way for users to choose whether they want to see AI-made content or not?

Right now, many online platforms are flooded with AI content. In October, one estimate suggested that over half of all online articles are created by AI. By next year, that number could rise above 90%. Some experts even believe that by 2030, nearly every piece of online content might be AI-generated. This rapid change is pushing people to decide where they stand.

Platforms That Promote AI Content

Many social media sites and content platforms are leaning heavily into AI. Meta’s Facebook and Instagram, for example, make it super easy to create and share AI-generated images, videos, and text. They even label AI content clearly, but they do not give users an option to turn it off. Their new short-form video feed, called Vibes, encourages users to generate and remix AI videos, and it’s promoted heavily within their apps. Creators are encouraged to use AI tools, which makes their feeds full of AI content without any toggle for users who might want less or none of it.

YouTube is another example. A big chunk of new videos—some estimates say between 25% and 50%—are made by AI. While YouTube does require creators to disclose AI use and demonetizes low-quality content, it does not offer a way for viewers to switch AI content off entirely. Other platforms like Reddit, TikTok, Medium, LinkedIn, X, and Snapchat also do not have a universal toggle to block AI content.

Platforms That Ban or Limit AI Content

On the other side, some platforms have taken a strict stance against AI. DiVine, launched by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is 100% against AI content. The site is set up to promote human-made videos only, similar to how Vine used to work. Medium also prohibits AI content for paid articles, and many large online publications like Wired, BBC, and Polygon have outright bans on AI-generated material.

More platforms are trying to protect creators and consumers from AI’s rapid rise. Spotify, for example, now requires clear labels on AI-created songs. They also block deepfakes and impersonations, and they have removed over 75 million low-quality AI uploads. While Spotify doesn’t give a universal toggle, it makes it easy for users to avoid AI tracks if they prefer.

Pinterest recently added controls to turn off AI-generated pins, giving users some say over the content they see. TikTok has introduced a “slider” feature that lets users reduce AI content in their feed, though it doesn’t eliminate it completely. Privacy-focused search engines like DuckDuckGo and Kagi offer toggles to disable AI-generated images, giving users more control over AI content in their searches.

In a world where AI is everywhere, it’s clear that people want choices. Some welcome AI’s possibilities, while others worry about losing human-created content and the culture of real expression. The best way forward is for platforms to provide a simple, universal toggle that allows users to opt out of AI content easily. That way, everyone can find a balance that works for them—whether they want more AI or prefer to avoid it altogether.

Inspired by

• https://www.computerworld.com/article/4094557/the-world-is-split-between-ai-sloppers-and-stoppers.html

Sources

• gmpg.org
• salvadorvilalta.com
• divine.video
• duckduckgo.com
• machinesociety.ai