Pinterest is finally doing something about its AI infestation

Pinterest is launching new features to label AI-generated images on its platform, making it easier for users to identify and avoid them.
The “Gen AI labels” feature will automatically detect and label images made or edited using generative AI, with a clear “AI modified” stamp in the bottom left-hand corner.
Pinterest’s new feature aims to prevent users from being duped by AI-generated content, which has been a major issue on the platform, making it difficult for users to find practical inspiration.
The company is also launching an experimental feature that will allow users to filter out AI images in certain categories, such as beauty and art, with a “see fewer” option available in the three-dot menu.
Pinterest’s goal is to empower users to make informed choices about the content they see on the platform, while also addressing concerns around AI-generated content dominating the platform.

Pinterest is making it easier for users to identify and avoid AI-generated slop on its platform. The company is launching new features that will automatically label images that are detected to be made or edited using generative AI, and allow users to see fewer of them when browsing for similar topics.

“As people encounter AI-generated content on Pinterest, we are empowering our users to make more informed choices about the content they see”, said Matt Madrigal, Chief Technology Officer. “Gen AI content on Pinterest should enhance users’ ability to discover and act on their inspiration, and we are intentionally approaching this new landscape in a thoughtful way that benefits everyone on Pinterest.”

Pinterest’s new Gen AI labels feature is rolling out globally, and should help prevent users from being duped. The labels will appear as an “AI modified” stamp in the bottom left-hand corner when a pin is clicked on in close-up. Pinterest identifies if an image was made or edited with AI by analyzing its metadata — presumably for invisible markers like Google’s SynthID or Adobe’s Content Credentials.

Pinterest also says it’s developed “classifiers that automatically detect gen AI content” even if the image doesn’t carry metadata markers. Detection-based AI flaggers can be hit or miss, but Pinterest is allowing users to appeal if they believe their pins have been mislabelled.

To say I’m thrilled would be an understatement. Pinterest has attracted widespread criticism from users about AI images dominating its platform, making it difficult to use the moodboard-maker for anything practical beyond just assembling images purely for aesthetic purposes.

Artists struggle to find accurate real-world reference materials, for example, and there’s a good chance the clothing, accessory, or furniture products appearing in pins can’t be purchased, because they don’t actually exist. Even as a provider of “inspiration,” that can be problematic, because everything from hairstyles to interior design concepts generated by AI — which can be deceptively realistic — may be impossible to achieve in real life.

An experimental feature will also be launched “soon” that will allow Pinterest users to filter out some AI images for certain categories that are “prone to AI modification or generation,” according to Pinterest, such as beauty and art. The “see fewer” option will be available in the three-dot menu at the bottom right of a pin. Pinterest says this will flag its systems to recommend less of that content and will eventually expand to more pin categories, but it’s unclear just how much AI the feature will filter out. I can only hope it will eventually include an “all of it” option.

link

Q. What is Pinterest doing about its AI-generated content?

A. Pinterest is launching new features that will automatically label images detected to be made or edited using generative AI, and allow users to see fewer of them when browsing for similar topics.

Q. Why is Pinterest introducing these new features?

A. To empower users to make more informed choices about the content they see on the platform, and to prevent users from being duped by AI-generated content.

Q. How will Pinterest identify if an image was made or edited with AI?

A. By analyzing its metadata, such as invisible markers like Google’s SynthID or Adobe’s Content Credentials.

Q. Can users appeal if their pins have been mislabelled?

A. Yes, Pinterest is allowing users to appeal if they believe their pins have been incorrectly labelled.

Q. What categories of content will be affected by the new “see fewer” option?

A. Categories that are prone to AI modification or generation, such as beauty and art, will be flagged for filtering out.

Q. How will the “see fewer” option work?

A. It will flag Pinterest’s systems to recommend less of that content, and eventually expand to more pin categories.

Q. Will the “see fewer” option include an “all of it” option?

A. It is unclear if this feature will eventually include an “all of it” option.

Q. Why is this change important for users?

A. To prevent users from being duped by AI-generated content, and to allow them to make more informed choices about the content they see on the platform.

Q. How widespread has Pinterest’s criticism been regarding AI images dominating its platform?

A. Widespread criticism has been received from users about AI images dominating Pinterest, making it difficult to use the platform for practical purposes beyond aesthetic purposes.

Q. What is one of the problems caused by AI-generated content on Pinterest?

A. Artists struggle to find accurate real-world reference materials, and some products appearing in pins may not be available for purchase because they don’t exist in reality.