The Inundation of AI-Generated Slop on Media Platforms
The Problem
The influx of AI-generated content on various media platforms is increasingly making them unusable. This issue affects everything from Spotify to indie games platforms like Itch.io, making it harder for users to find quality content. The problem is particularly evident in Itch.io, where AI-generated assets have flooded the platform, making it difficult for developers to find high-quality content.
Itch.io’s Solution
Itch.io is trying to address this issue by introducing a new AI filter. The filter requires asset page creators to declare whether generative AI was used to make their assets. This move has been generally welcomed by indie developers, who are looking for a way to differentiate their work from AI-generated content.
How the Filter Works
The filter works by asking asset page creators to tag their use of generative AI. If they select "yes", they will be asked what kinds of generative AI were used – graphics, sound, text and dialogue, or code. This will apply sub-tags based on the selections. There is also a bulk tagging dialog for whole pages that need tagging.
Consequences of Not Tagging
Assets that were made using generative AI and aren’t tagged accordingly will no longer be eligible for indexing on browse pages. The site’s creator, Leaf Corcoran, said there would be a grace period for people to update their pages, after which the site plans to use "user reports to handle pages that have not been addressed."
Developer Reaction
Developers have welcomed the move, with one person writing, "I had voiced despair at how flooded with AI the assets section had become, and even stopped publishing on itch altogether. This is very good news, a good start, and I’ll definitely come back to itch if negative filtering does a good job of filtering out the slop."
Questions and Concerns
However, there are questions about how the filter will work in practice. One person asked, "If I use ChatGPT to debug and help me with code, do I also need to include a tag indicating it was made with AI?" Another person asked, "What will be used to decide if a project does or does not contain AI-generated content?"
Conclusion
Itch.io’s policy of enforced disclosure sounds like a most sustainable approach to dealing with AI content, if it’s able to enforce it. Users need to be able to make informed decisions about the content they use and consume, and being able to easily filter out the AI rubbish will save people time. I hope we see other platforms follow suit.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of Itch.io’s new AI filter?
A: The purpose of the filter is to allow users to easily identify and filter out AI-generated content on the platform.
Q: How does the filter work?
A: The filter asks asset page creators to tag their use of generative AI, and applies sub-tags based on the selections.
Q: What happens if an asset is not tagged with AI-generated content?
A: Assets that were made using generative AI and aren’t tagged accordingly will no longer be eligible for indexing on browse pages.
Q: How will Itch.io enforce the filter?
A: Itch.io will use user reports to handle pages that have not been addressed.
Q: Will the filter affect games on Itch.io?
A: Yes, the filter will apply to games on Itch.io as well, as indicated by the "No AI" tag in the games library.
