With TikTok creator program, AI-sped misinformation pays
Axios
TikTok's cash-for-creators program could speed the spread of spammy misinformation on the platform as video makers lean on AI to hook viewers with outlandish images, conspiracy theories and hokum.
Why it matters: The crazier the video, the higher the engagement — and now, more engagement directly translates to more dollars.
The big picture: While U.S. lawmakers continue to worry that China is weaponizing TikTok to spread propaganda, AI tools are helping people spread a wide blanket of untrustworthy information on both TikTok and other social media as a crucial election year gets underway.
Driving the news: TikTok's new Creator Rewards Program, which came out of beta on March 18, pays creators "based on qualified views" and RPM, which is the average gross revenue per 1,000 "qualified" views, according to the company.
In addition to increased earnings for "originality," TikTok says the new program uses an "optimized rewards formula" to pay more for videos that are longer and optimized for "search value" and "audience engagement."
MORE
RELATED STORIES FROM THE INTEGRITY PROJECT
