Social media is witnessing a surge of bizarre AI-generated content, with outlandish creations flooding platforms like TikTok and Facebook. From fake videos of government encounters with vampires to surreal images of shrimp Jesus, this so-called "AI slop" shows no signs of fading away.
Our research indicates that this low-quality content is turning into a lucrative opportunity for creators, the platforms themselves, and an emerging industry teaching others how to capitalize on this AI-driven gold rush.
The rise of these peculiar videos can be attributed to savvy social media creators who have figured out how to leverage generative AI tools for quick profits. However, the situation is more intricate. Platforms have instituted incentive programs that reward viral content, fostering an ecosystem of creators who exploit these opportunities.
While discussions around generative AI often emphasize its potential for empowering everyday creators, it has also opened the floodgates for mass content production. For instance, a search for "pet dance motorcycle" on TikTok yields hundreds of AI-generated videos of animals performing the "motorbike dance," all produced using the same AI template.
You may wonder why such repetitive and seemingly uninspired content can go viral. The answer lies in the algorithms guiding platform promotions. TikTok advises creators to “continuously share fresh and diverse content” that requires minimal production effort.
As for why platforms like TikTok don’t clamp down on AI-generated accounts, it’s because this content, despite being misleading, doesn’t currently meet the criteria for "significant harm." Instead, such material keeps users engaged, exposing them to ads—the primary revenue source for these platforms.
A burgeoning industry has emerged, teaching individuals how to profit from inexpensive AI-generated content. For example, Xiaonan, a social media entrepreneur with six TikTok accounts, shared in a live-streaming session that he earned over $5,500 in July alone. He offers exclusive tips on effective AI prompts, headlines, and hashtags for various platforms.
Xiaonan transitioned to this "AI side job" after losing his previous position. He now collaborates with partners to provide classes on generating AI-driven videos, attracting a diverse audience that includes housewives, unemployed individuals, and college students seeking side incomes.
Many creators find that generating AI content is more enjoyable and accessible than traditional gig work like ride-sharing or food delivery. With minimal costs and the flexibility to work from home, AI-generated content has emerged as a popular avenue for supplemental income.
Observations suggest that many of these creators hail from non-Western countries, including India, Vietnam, and China. As one Chinese influencer pointed out, with domestic platforms nearing saturation, there’s a growing push for engagement on international platforms.
These creators employ a strategy known as platform arbitrage, where they repurpose viral videos from Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart) by adding AI-generated translations before reposting them on TikTok. Even with imperfect AI dubbing and translation errors, these videos often achieve hundreds of thousands of views.
Many creators manage multiple accounts targeting different regions, utilizing an "account matrix" strategy to maximize their reach.
We are just at the beginning of a mainstream culture around AI-generated content. As the volume of content explodes, the challenge for platforms will be maintaining user trust and authenticity amid a sea of engagement-driven trends.
Social media platforms are likely to respond to these challenges in the future, but for now, the wild growth of AI-generated content shows no signs of slowing down.
