What The Tech: Spotting the difference between ‘AI Slop’ and what’s real
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Technology Reporter
This photo of Shaquille O’Neal crying at Magic Johnson’s hospital bed? Fake. Magic isn’t dying.
The image was made with AI and shared thousands of times before anyone questioned it. This one of Carrie Underwood screaming at Whoopi Goldberg? Never happened. It was designed to stir outrage and it worked.
It’s called “AI Slop”, generated content to go viral. It’s all over every social media platform.
Pinterest says it’s seeing a small portion overall, but users claim the platform is flooded with fake recipes, DIY ideas, fake creators.
On Spotify an AI created band called “The Velvet Sundown” went viral this summer with over 7 million listens.
AI Slop can be created quickly with Chat GPT, Google Gemini, and dozens of other tools. If they
go viral, they earn the Slop creators money.
Most slop, is being produced overseas and marketed to Americans. Some AI slop leads directly to scams. This Facebook post, shared by thousands, includes a link to read more, but it takes you to a site blocked by antivirus programs.
And if you’re seeing more of this on your feeds, it’s because you’re watching, reacting, or sharing it.
“It’s up to us as consumers to…we own these platforms. It is your platform right, so you don’t want to be the one out there spreading misinformation and in order to do that you need to take the time to confirm the information you’re sharing is true and valid ”
AI Slop also fuels what’s known as the “Liar’s Dividend”. The idea that when people see enough fake content, they start to believe everything is fake, and that means even real information stops being taken seriously.
So share responsibly. It may be the best defense we have.
