Meta has swapped its "Made with AI" label for a new "AI info" tag across its apps, responding to user complaints about unclear AI content flagging. The change aims to give users a better sense of how AI is involved in creating or editing content on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.
(left) New tag vs original tag (right)
The company rolled out the original "Made with AI" label in May to flag AI-generated or altered content. But photographers quickly pushed back, finding their lightly edited photos slapped with the AI tag.
"Our labels weren't matching what people expected and didn't give enough context," Meta admitted in an updated blog post. They pointed out that even minor AI-assisted edits, like basic retouching, triggered the "Made with AI" label, potentially misleading users about how much AI was actually involved.
The new "AI info" label takes a softer approach, covering a wider range of AI use in content creation and editing. Meta hopes this change will better inform users without raising unnecessary alarms over routine editing.
However, the label update doesn't solve all issues. Meta's AI detection system remains the same, still relying on industry standard markers and metadata from tools that follow C2PA and IPTC standards. This means photos edited with AI features, even slightly, might still get the "AI info" tag.
This label change is part of Meta's larger effort to handle AI-generated and manipulated media. In April, the company announced plans to broaden its labeling approach after getting feedback from its Oversight Board and running extensive public surveys.
Meta's shifting strategy highlights the challenges social media platforms face as AI tools rapidly advance. As AI becomes more powerful and widely available, it's getting harder to tell the difference between human-made, AI-assisted, and fully AI-generated content.
While the new label offers more flexibility, it still leaves questions about how much AI involvement should require disclosure. Content creators and users will be watching to see how this new approach works in practice.
As AI reshapes the digital world, Meta's label update shows the ongoing conversation between tech companies, content creators, and users about setting standards for AI transparency and creativity on social media.