Théodore’s tipping point came with an encounter with AI-generated content that left him bewildered. The scene depicted hauntingly thin South Asian children, oddly sporting thick beards despite their youthful faces. One child had no hands and just one foot, while the other held a sign proclaiming his birthday and asking for likes. This perplexing image, set amidst a bustling street under heavy rainfall, bore all the hallmarks of AI creation. Despite its artificial origins, the picture went viral on Facebook, garnering close to a million likes and heart emojis. For Théodore, this was the breaking point. “It boggled my mind. The absurd AI-made images flooded Facebook, gaining immense traction without any critical examination – it was madness,” remarked the 20-year-old student from Paris. Determined to expose such deceitful content, Théodore launched a Twitter account named “Insane AI Slop.” Through this platform, he began denouncing and satirizing misleading material that deceived unsuspecting viewers. His efforts attracted attention, leading to a deluge of submissions from individuals identifying similar instances of what he termed “AI slop.” A recurring pattern emerged in the submissions – narratives revolving around religion, military themes, or heartwarming portrayals of underprivileged children. “Content featuring children from developing countries accomplishing remarkable feats always resonates well – like a young African child crafting an extraordinary sculpture from discarded items. People perceive it as heartening, prompting creators to produce more of such content,” explained Théodore. In a short span, Théodore’s account amassed a following of over 133,000 users. The proliferation of AI-generated content, characterized by fabricated and unconvincing videos and images churned out swiftly, appeared relentless. While certain tech companies claim to be taking steps to address some forms of AI ‘slop,’ social media platforms continue to be inundated with such material. The landscape of social media has undergone a profound transformation within a few years. The rise of AI-generated content prompts reflection on its societal impact and raises questions about the level of concern among the billions of social media users worldwide.
