#ai filtering

(Yk when you check your general settings, there's a filtering thing, and when you tap it, there's the hashtags you can block, and the content you want to block below it? That part.)

"Contains ai" yet, it is literally a painting by a real person, but the fucking ads are ai, and can't be blocked? Smh, this logic of ai filtering is beyond stupid, like what 😭🙏🏽

The TV landscape has evolved significantly over the last few decades. TV series started out very generic, aimed to appeal to the largest possible audiences, with unoffensive storylines, broadly relatable themes, and only very roughly segregated into target demographics. As time went on, sections and channels began to cater to specific sub-demographics, offering tailored content to suit different interests. Since the advent of the internet, super-individualized recommendation pages took this trend towards personalized media even further, with Netflix and Youtube tailoring suggestions to each user's unique preferences.

This was all possible by a spectrum of production quality: larger audiences warrant a high-budget production, while smaller demographics can still be effectively reached and satisfied with cheaper avenues like 2D animation and web-only releases. The net effect was a much higher volume of more and more niche TV productions, leading to the 2010s being described as a golden age of TV. AI-powered media creation tools tools promise to expand this spectrum substantially. All expensive and/or complex parts of the production process - locations, camera staff, voice actors, animators, and even writers, can be at least partially replaced by AI, drastically lowering the cost for new TV productions. An HD sized video frame can - already today - be AI generated on a home computer in a few seconds, requiring no more human input than a single sentence.

Lower production costs would likely lead to a flood of new content, filling increasingly obscure niches. Although the quality may vary, this development would provide a veritable explosion for consumers seeking tailored experiences. And this trend towards more specialized content wouldn't be limited to the TV. Quite the contrary, I don't imagine that any contemporary media sector would stagnate throughout this technological disruption. Pop songs, literature, memes, Tiktok clips, Instagram reels, print art, and even food can be enriched, made more affordable, and superpowered in sheer volume with AI assistance. IBM's Chef Watson was already creating groundbreaking fusion cuisine in 2015, and the wider technology technology stack is almost ready for professional use today. It's only a matter of time until the professional industry ramps up, driven forward by the promise of cost savings and reaching a wider target demographic.

However, with the rapidly rising flood of new art and media, I expect an emerging need for personalized AI filtering algorithms to help users navigate the deluge of content. Here's where individual political decisions can have far-reaching consequences. In order to preserve our consumer freedom, we need open-sourced filtering AIs that are privacy-aware, transparent to use, and free from secret corporate biases.

Platforms like Spotify and Facebook show how the two sides of this coin can look like. A finely individualized, user-benevolent AI already helps users find music that enriches their lives with endless variety. On the other hand, a corporate filtering AI may only show us unattainable lifestyles, outrage-inducing content, or an endless slog of polished but vapid media designed to keep us scrolling.

But if we loudly stress the importance of open-source, privacy-aware, and unbiased personal filtering AIs, we can foster a landscape of unique and vibrant art, enriching our lives, as well as the lives of the creative minds behind our favorite creations.

Keeping kids safe from the flood

As AI-generated media continues to flood the market, we can expect a similar trend to occur in the world of children's entertainment. This presents both an incredible opportunity and an immense challenge for parents and content creators alike. With an abundance of new and diverse content available, children will have access to an endless supply of stories, educational materials, and interactive experiences tailored to their specific interests and needs. However, this vast expanse of content also raises concerns about quality control and ensuring that young audiences are exposed to safe and age-appropriate media.

Just as with adult media consumption, filtering algorithms will play a crucial role in curating children's content. But with this responsibility comes a heightened level of scrutiny. Parents and guardians need to trust that these AI systems will not only provide their children with enriching and entertaining content but also shield them from inappropriate or harmful material. The stakes are higher than ever, as we've already witnessed the consequences of poorly curated content, such as the infamous "Elsagate" scandal.

To prevent similar incidents in the future, it's essential to prioritize the development of ethical and transparent filtering algorithms that put children's well-being and safety first. Parents and guardians must be able to understand how the AI systems work, what types of content they will and won't promote, and how to customize the AI's parameters to meet their family's specific values and preferences.