Sick of AI slop on Pinterest? These two new features should help bring back real pins

Pinterest has long been a great platform for getting inspiration from crowdsourced images for everything from outfits to home decor to wedding planning. However, AI-generated images have slowly trickled into Pinterest’s results, leaving users dissatisfied.  

‘AI Modified’ label

To address the issue, on Wednesday, Pinterest announced it will display a label on image Pins that it detects were either generated or modified using generative AI. The “AI Modified” label will appear in the bottom left corner of images when viewing them up close, and the feature is being rolled out globally.

Also: AI is ruining Pinterest. Here’s why it’s such a big problem

Pinterest says it will add the marker using the image’s metadata as well as in-house-developed classifiers that automatically detect generative AI content, even if it is not immediately obvious. The company adds that the systems are not perfect at the moment, but the labels will become more accurate as the classifiers are refined. If the content is mislabeled, users and creators can appeal through an appeals system. 

‘See fewer’ experiment

A “see fewer” experiment will also soon launch on the platform. This experiment allows users to select a preference for how much generative AI content they want in certain categories, such as beauty and art. Users will be able to choose the option from the three-dot menu in the bottom right-hand corner of a Pin, as shown in the photo below. 

From my experience, AI tools are a great source of creative inspiration. For example, you can give an AI image generator a photo of a space and ask it to furnish it, or describe an outfit or project you are imagining and have it generate it for you. However, the key to successfully using it as inspiration is knowing whether or not it is AI-generated. 

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Since people typically turn to Pinterest for inspiration based on human projects, designs, or ideas, transparency is essential on the platform, and the AI labels are a practical solution. If you still have doubts and an image is not correctly labeled, other tools, such as the Adobe Content Authenticity app, let users easily upload images to learn insights about their origin and authenticity.

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