Meta Changes AI Labels After Photographer Uproar

Meta has rolled out an update to its “Made with AI” labels following an uproar from photographers who found their non-AI-generated content mistakenly flagged. The updated labels now read “AI info,” an effort to align better with user expectations and provide clearer context.

Previously, Meta’s “Made with AI” labels, introduced earlier this year, were meant to signal any generative AI involvement in content creation. This came after criticism from Meta’s Oversight Board regarding its “manipulated media” policy. Meta assured that these labels were based on “industry standard” indicators of AI usage.

However, it wasn’t long before photographers noticed the labels popping up on images that hadn’t seen a hint of AI. According to tests by PetaPixel, even minuscule edits using Adobe’s generative fill tool in Photoshop could trigger the label. This mishap was almost as embarrassing as forgetting to take the lens cap off your camera.

Meta admitted that some content with minor AI modifications, such as retouching tools, inadvertently included these indicators. “While we work with companies across the industry to improve the process, we’re updating the ‘Made with AI’ label to ‘AI info’ across our apps,” the company said in its update.

But here’s where it gets even more confusing. The new “AI info” labels won’t actually provide details about what AI tools were used. A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the contextual menu will still offer a generic description of generative AI and note that Meta might add the label when AI signals are detected.

So, while Meta works to refine its approach, users can enjoy the updated labels that tell you almost nothing specific—kind of like a camera manual that doesn’t tell you where the shutter button is.

For those keeping score, this isn’t Meta’s first tussle with AI-related controversies. The company has been navigating a maze of issues since its introduction of broader AI labeling policies, following recommendations from the Oversight Board regarding manipulated media. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that even a “tiny speck” of AI can cause a big stir in the world of social media.