Influencers fear the AI 'Scarlet Letter'
Creators are expressing frustration over inaccurate AI-generated labels applied to their content by platforms like TikTok and Instagram. These misclassifications can damage a creator's reputation for authenticity, which is a critical asset in the influencer marketing industry.
Why it matters
As platforms automate content moderation, the tension between transparency and creator autonomy highlights the growing backlash against AI in creative spaces.
Getty Images; Alyssa Powell/BI Ashton McGrady was horrified to discover that TikTok had slapped an "AI-generated" label on a post she'd made for Disability Pride Month. The creator had spent hours making a collage of images, stickers, and advice. "It was really jarring to me, because that's not something that I personally align with, and neither does my audience," McGrady told Business Insider. "The whole point of being a creator is to create myself." The post later had its AI note removed without explanation. McGrady's upload was one of the billions that TikTok says it has flagged using a mix of human labeling and automated tools. McGrady said she had a similar experience with a different post on Meta-owned Instagram, too. To Ashton McGrady's surprise, Instagram and TikTok have added AI labels to her posts.
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