Instagram chief predicts rising AI frustration over next two years

Ordinary users of the social platform can expect a more contentious environment regarding artificial intelligence in the near future, according to the company's top executive. Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, stated in a recent interview that public frustration with AI technology will continue to grow over the next couple of years. He described the current sentiment as a mix of justified and unfounded anger that will make navigation difficult for many people outside the tech industry.

Mosseri made these remarks while appearing on the Colin and Samir podcast. The discussion centered on the launch of widescreen and long-form video features for Instagram. During the conversation, he addressed the visible trend of college students booing tech executives at graduation ceremonies. He acknowledged that dislike for AI extends beyond young people and creatives to a wider demographic.

The executive attributed much of the public anxiety to a specific economic and personal fear. He explained that when individuals discuss their concerns in detail, the issue typically boils down to a fear of being left behind. Mosseri listed specific worries held by creators and workers, including the ownership of their own content and the training of AI models on that data. He also cited concerns regarding safety and the displacement of jobs in fields such as engineering, mathematics, and content creation.

On the platform's internal mechanics, Mosseri admitted that Instagram does not currently rank AI-generated content with the same quality standards as human-made posts. He noted that while there is high-quality AI media, there is also a large volume of what he termed AI slop. He conceded that the platform's ranking systems are not as effective for AI content as they are for non-AI material. Mosseri also remarked that the term slop is applied too liberally by the public.

Instagram began requiring AI accounts to label themselves after launching a labeling feature earlier this year. The platform started enforcing this crackdown on AI-generated profiles in August. Mosseri emphasized the importance of users knowing whether the content they view is real or artificial. He stated that Instagram is actively working out a strategy for AI fakes but does not believe it is practical to ban AI content entirely from the service.

The company continues to face challenges with misleading AI content, including celebrity deepfakes. Despite the ongoing issues, Mosseri maintains that transparency through labeling is the primary tool for managing user expectations. He predicted that the period ahead will be challenging for both the industry and the public as these tensions evolve.