What is AI slop? A technologist explains this new and largely unwelcome form of online content

AI slop refers to low- to mid-quality content created with AI tools, often with little regard for accuracy, and is spreading on social media platforms.
The ease of generating content with AI enables people to submit low-quality articles, music, and images that can attract attention and profit from platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Wikipedia.
AI slop harms artists by causing job and financial losses and crowding out content made by real creators, while also spreading misinformation and being used to manipulate public opinion.
The proliferation of AI slop is a growing concern, with even reputable sources like The Guardian finding that nine out of the top 100 fastest-growing YouTube channels feature AI-generated content.
To combat AI slop, users can flag harmful or problematic content, add community notes for context, and report it to platforms, while also being cautious when consuming online media and verifying the authenticity of information.

This AI-generated image spread far and wide in the wake of Hurricane Helene in 2024. AI-generated image circulated on social media

You’ve probably encountered images in your social media feeds that look like a cross between photographs and computer-generated graphics. Some are fantastical – think Shrimp Jesus – and some are believable at a quick glance – remember the little girl clutching a puppy in a boat during a flood?

These are examples of AI slop, low- to mid-quality content – video, images, audio, text or a mix – created with AI tools, often with little regard for accuracy. It’s fast, easy and inexpensive to make this content. AI slop producers typically place it on social media to exploit the economics of attention on the internet, displacing higher-quality material that could be more helpful.

AI slop has been increasing over the past few years. As the term “slop” indicates, that’s generally not good for people using the internet.

AI slop’s many forms

The Guardian published an analysis in July 2025 examining how AI slop is taking over YouTube’s fastest-growing channels. The journalists found that nine out of the top 100 fastest-growing channels feature AI-generated content like zombie football and cat soap operas.

This song, allegedly recorded by a band called The Velvet Sundown, was AI-generated.

Listening to Spotify? Be skeptical of that new band, The Velvet Sundown, that appeared on the streaming service with a creative backstory and derivative tracks. It’s AI-generated.

In many cases, people submit AI slop that’s just good enough to attract and keep users’ attention, allowing the submitter to profit from platforms that monetize streaming and view-based content.

The ease of generating content with AI enables people to submit low-quality articles to publications. Clarkesworld, an online science fiction magazine that accepts user submissions and pays contributors, stopped taking new submissions in 2024 because of the flood of AI-generated writing it was getting.

These aren’t the only places where this happens — even Wikipedia is dealing with AI-generated low-quality content that strains its entire community moderation system. If the organization is not successful in removing it, a key information resource people depend on is at risk.

This episode of ‘Last Week Tonight with John Oliver’ delves into AI slop. (NSFW)

Harms of AI slop

AI-driven slop is making its way upstream into people’s media diets as well. During Hurricane Helene, opponents of President Joe Biden cited AI-generated images of a displaced child clutching a puppy as evidence of the administration’s purported mishandling of the disaster response. Even when it’s apparent that content is AI-generated, it can still be used to spread misinformation by fooling some people who briefly glance at it.

AI slop also harms artists by causing job and financial losses and crowding out content made by real creators. The placement of this lower-quality AI-generated content is often not distinguished by the algorithms that drive social media consumption, and it displace entire classes of creators who previously made their livelihood from online content.

Wherever it’s enabled, you can flag content that’s harmful or problematic. On some platforms, you can add community notes to the content to provide context. For harmful content, you can try to report it.

Along with forcing us to be on guard for deepfakes and “inauthentic” social media accounts, AI is now leading to piles of dreck degrading our media environment. At least there’s a catchy name for it.

Adam Nemeroff does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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Q. What is AI slop?

A. AI slop refers to low- to mid-quality content created with AI tools, often with little regard for accuracy, and placed online to exploit the economics of attention.

Q. Why has AI slop been increasing over the past few years?

A. The ease of generating content with AI has enabled people to submit low-quality articles, music, and other forms of content that can attract and keep users’ attention, allowing them to profit from platforms that monetize streaming and view-based content.

Q. What is an example of AI slop in the context of social media?

A. An image that looks like a cross between a photograph and computer-generated graphics, such as the “Shrimp Jesus” or the image of a little girl clutching a puppy during a flood.

Q. How has AI slop affected online publications?

A. Some online publications, such as Clarkesworld, have stopped accepting new submissions due to the flood of AI-generated writing they were getting.

Q. What is the harm caused by AI slop in terms of misinformation?

A. Even when it’s apparent that content is AI-generated, it can still be used to spread misinformation by fooling some people who briefly glance at it.

Q. How does AI slop affect artists and creators?

A. AI slop harms artists by causing job and financial losses and crowding out content made by real creators, as the placement of lower-quality AI-generated content is often not distinguished by algorithms that drive social media consumption.

Q. What can be done to flag or report harmful AI slop content?

A. Users can try to report it, add community notes to provide context, or flag it for harm, depending on the platform’s features and policies.

Q. Why is AI slop a problem in terms of online communities like Wikipedia?

A. The flood of AI-generated low-quality content strains Wikipedia’s entire community moderation system, putting key information resources at risk if not successfully removed.

Q. What is the term “slop” in relation to AI-generated content?

A. The term “slop” indicates that this type of content is generally not good for people using the internet, as it can be low-quality and misleading.

Q. Can anything be done to mitigate the harm caused by AI slop?

A. Yes, users can be on guard for deepfakes and inauthentic social media accounts, flag or report harmful content, and support platforms that prioritize high-quality content over attention-grabbing AI-generated material.