How I learned to stop worrying and love AI slop

By John Pranay (Editor)

A global phenomenon of AI-generated content, dubbed "AI slop," has taken over social media platforms, with millions of users creating and sharing short, often nonsensical videos. The flood of repetitive clips has become inescapable, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram overwhelmed by the sheer volume. The immediate toll is a homogenization of online content, with many users feeling that the internet has become "enshittified."

The rise of AI slop is a result of advancements in generative AI models, such as OpenAI's Sora and Google's Veo series. These tools have made it possible for anyone to create realistic, seamless videos with just a few taps on a screen. The AI-generated content has sparked a debate about the quality and value of online content, with some users rejecting it as "slop" and others finding it compellingly weird or funny. The conflict lies in the perception of AI-generated content as either a creative force or a destructive influence on online culture.

• Summer 2025: A viral video of rabbits bouncing on a trampoline marks the moment AI-generated content breaks through into popular consciousness.

• 2022-2023: Early text-to-video systems are released, capable of producing only a few seconds of blurry motion.

• 2023-present: Newer models like Sora2, Veo 3.1, and Runway's Gen-4.5 dramatically improve, creating realistic, seamless, and increasingly true-to-prompt videos that can last up to a minute.

The concept of AI-generated content is not new, but the current wave of AI slop has its roots in the early 2020s, when text-to-video systems were first released. These early models were limited in their capabilities, producing short, low-quality videos. However, the advancements in AI technology have led to a significant improvement in the quality and duration of AI-generated content. This phenomenon is reminiscent of the early days of internet memes, which also started as nonsensical and repetitive content but eventually evolved into a form of online culture.

The rise of AI slop raises concerns about the spread of misinformation and the potential for AI-generated content to be used for malicious purposes. The sheer volume of AI-generated content also poses a risk to online platforms, which may struggle to moderate and regulate the content. Furthermore, the reliance on AI models for content creation may lead to a loss of human creativity and originality.

As the phenomenon of AI slop continues to evolve, it is likely that social media platforms will need to adapt their moderation policies to address the issue. The development of new AI models and tools will also continue to improve the quality and duration of AI-generated content. In the near future, we can expect to see more AI-generated content being used in various industries, such as entertainment and advertising.

The rise of AI slop is a symptom of a broader trend in the evolution of online culture. As AI technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more AI-generated content being created and shared online. However, this also raises questions about the value and quality of online content. Crucially, this overlooks the potential for AI-generated content to be used as a tool for creative expression and innovation. By embracing the weird and wonderful aspects of AI slop, we may discover new forms of online culture that are both fascinating and thought-provoking. This suggests that the future of online content may be more diverse and dynamic than we currently imagine.

Overall, the medium-term sentiment around this story is Bullish.

1. How I learned to stop worrying and love AI slop — https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/23/1130396/how-i-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-ai-slop/

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.