HomeWinBuzzer NewsTikTok Lays Off Hundreds as AI Takes Over Content Moderation

TikTok Lays Off Hundreds as AI Takes Over Content Moderation

The company is cutting hundreds of jobs, with Malaysia being hit hardest. ByteDance aims to streamline moderation processes with AI.

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TikTok is letting go of a large number of employees globally as part of a shift toward AI-powered content moderation. The company, owned by ByteDance, is slashing hundreds of jobs, including a substantial number in Malaysia, where around 700 positions were eliminated. Tiktok aims to streamline moderation processes and meeting rising demands for more efficient handling of content on the platform.

AI Takes Over Content Review

The job cuts primarily target staff responsible for reviewing videos and flagging violations of community rules. ByteDance is banking on automated systems to handle a larger share of this work, stating that AI can now identify and take down around 80% of harmful content without human intervention. This shift is part of a broader plan to automate moderation while keeping some human oversight for more complex cases.

ByteDance’s layoffs were communicated via email to affected employees, who were involved in TikTok’s efforts to screen user uploads for inappropriate material. While the Malaysian workforce was hit hardest, TikTok confirmed that other regions would also see job reductions as the company implements its new moderation model.

Regulatory Push Drives Moderation Overhaul

TikTok’s reliance on AI for content screening is growing amid global pressure for stricter content regulation. Malaysia, for example, has recently introduced more stringent rules for social media companies, requiring them to obtain operating licenses by January to help combat cybercrimes. Authorities have reported a rise in harmful material shared on platforms and have pushed companies like TikTok to increase their efforts to protect users.

The push for safer online spaces extends beyond Malaysia. In the U.S. and U.K., initiatives to safeguard young users have taken center stage, including the introduction of the Online Safety Bill in the U.K. and collaborative efforts to establish new content moderation guidelines. This environment of increased oversight is shaping TikTok’s approach to managing content on its platform.

ByteDance Continues to Invest in Safety Amid Job Cuts

Despite downsizing its human workforce, ByteDance is not scaling back on investment in content safety. The company plans to allocate $2 billion this year toward trust and safety initiatives, signaling a commitment to maintaining high standards for user protection. ByteDance’s workforce is spread across over 200 cities, with more than 110,000 employees worldwide, though the recent layoffs could hint at additional restructuring on the horizon.

Reports suggest further reductions could take place next month as ByteDance considers consolidating some of its regional operations. For now, the company remains focused on increasing efficiency through automation while balancing the need for human judgment in content review.

Balancing Automation and Accuracy in Moderation

TikTok’s decision to automate content moderation reflects a larger trend in the tech industry, where companies are relying more on algorithms to handle growing workloads. The challenge, however, lies in ensuring that AI systems can effectively distinguish between harmful and acceptable content.

While automation offers a solution to process large volumes of content swiftly, its limitations in understanding context mean that human moderators will still play a role in the review process, albeit a reduced one. The shift toward AI not only aligns with efforts to comply with evolving regulations but also aims to enhance the platform’s ability to keep up with the surge of videos uploaded daily.

Last Updated on November 7, 2024 2:35 pm CET

SourceReuters
Luke Jones
Luke Jones
Luke has been writing about Microsoft and the wider tech industry for over 10 years. With a degree in creative and professional writing, Luke looks for the interesting spin when covering AI, Windows, Xbox, and more.
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