How to watch out for AI Slop

We all know that Artificial Intelligence has changed the online content game.

Today we are swimming in a sea of AI-generated videos, voices, images, and text…never really knowing what is real and what is fake. Never before in the history of mankind have we had access to so much information all at once. But now we face a new challenge, discerning what is real and what is fake.

This is what we call “AI slop.”

AI slop is a term that refers to the plethora of low-quality, mass-generated material that is all over the world wide web. From news articles to videos, posts and reviews, thanks to AI’s development we never have a dull moment. Just reach for the phone and see what you can find. But that flood of information can be misleading, and even dangerous. Discernment is needed to ensure we do not turn into brainless non-thinkers.

The Rise of AI Slop

The rise of AI-generated content isn’t all doom and gloom, however. AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini can assist with those looking for ideas, helping them translate complex narratives easily. But if used to produce on a massive scale, it can be dangerous, misleading and incorrect.

Today, professional writers, publishers, and journalists are spread thin. As they attempt to compete with AI content, they also have the ongoing demands by the industry to feed an ever-hungry beast. Some organizations, businesses and more are integrating automation in their work, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But when that automation takes precedent over ethics and honesty, then we will see a problem.

The problem then becomes losing touch with your audience. By trying to feed the machine 24/7, we can lose the human touch which will deteriorate your reputation and have you scrambling for authenticity.

“AI slop” isn’t just about just about poor work and misleading videos, it’s also about creating a catalogue that eventually self-implodes.

Why We Should be Concerned

When everything we see online starts to look and sound the same, the essence of the message starts to get lost. Readers and viewers no longer look at the content as real, as truth, as accuracy.

This has some concerning repercussions for society. Once disinformation is found and people can no longer know what is real and what is not, we can start to unravel the thread of our communities, our neighborhoods, our careers and businesses. While AI can be a tool to help us speed up work and even guide us in the right direction, it can quickly turn into a

How to Stay Aware

1. Look for the human component.
   Is the work too “perfect”? Is the video a little off? Check the video, the work and see if there is a touch of human. Look closely and see whether or not the work is truly genuine or not. And if you need help, contact us.
2. Check the source.
   Is the author real? Can you make sure that where you’re getting your information is true? If not, pause and reflect. If it’s not accurate, then question where this came from and make your own decision. Don’t become a victim of AI slop.
3. Value real media.
   Independent writers and journalists, those who create podcasts and news on their own deserve their recognition. Look at the byline, check reliable websites and give creators the recognition they deserve.
4. Use AI consciously.
   The solution isn’t to reject AI—it’s to use it correctly. Use AI as a tool, not a one-size fits all. Writers can lean on AI for idea generation or editing, while still focusing on human creativity and fact-checking. Need help with how to do that? Here at 3Webbox we do just that.

Taking back the Internet

The online space has been great for many reasons – access to information all at once, connections, and instant content. But that space is in jeapordy if we don’t know how to navigate through the chaos.

Our tip – Look for what’s real and ignore the rest.