Instagram announced Monday that it will change how it labels AI-generated profiles and limit the reach of accounts that use AI-generated people without disclosure. The platform is renaming its existing 'AI creator' label to 'AI-generated profile,' aiming to make the disclosure clearer for users. This new label is intended to inform users that the person featured on a profile was generated or substantially created with AI. Under the new policy, creators who fail to properly label AI-generated profiles may see their reach reduced, while those who use the new label will not face penalties for featuring AI-generated individuals. Instagram clarified that the label is not required for all AI uses, such as editing photos, polishing captions, or creating graphics. The change comes in response to user complaints about profiles that appeared human but were entirely AI-generated. 'As generative AI becomes a bigger part of how people create, we’ve heard that people don’t like seeing a profile that seems human, only to find out later that the person featured is AI-generated,' Instagram stated. 'They want to know when a profile features an AI-generated person.'
The move follows growing frustration over AI-generated content, especially with the rise of AI influencers on social media platforms. Earlier this year, a Wired investigation revealed more than two dozen AI-generated male influencers on Instagram promoting a gay dating app, some of which reportedly engaged users through direct messages. Health and wellness content is another area of concern, with The New York Times reporting hundreds of AI-generated doctors and healers promoting supplements and making health claims. Instagram’s announcement comes after it faced backlash over an AI tool that allowed users to generate images using other people’s likenesses. Users objected to having their public content used without explicit consent, prompting Meta to remove the feature. The company also recently settled a $18 billion lawsuit with U.S. states over allegations regarding the impact of Facebook and Instagram on children and teenagers. As part of the agreement, Meta will introduce a default two-hour daily usage limit for teens on its platforms.
Source: techcrunch
