Cover As AI tools become ubiquitous, distinguishing thoughtful content from AI slop is increasingly important (Photo: Pixabay)
As AI tools become ubiquitous, distinguishing thoughtful content from AI slop is increasingly important (Photo: Pixabay)
1 / 1
The internet is drowning in AI slop—and we’re all feeding the algorithm. Here’s what you should know
You’ve scrolled past it a dozen times today without realising. That recipe blog with oddly generic photos, the listicle that says nothing in 800 words (we’ve all been there), the Instagram carousel that feels off. Welcome to the age of AI slop—and it’s cluttering our feeds faster than we can swipe.
AI slop refers to the term used for low-quality, mass-produced content generated by artificial intelligence without much human thought behind it. Think of it as the digital equivalent of junk food: consumable, but devoid of the nutrients that make it worth your time. It’s the article that ranks high on Google but doesn’t give you any pleasure when you read it. It’s the social media post with thousands of likes but without any soul.
According to an analysis by Originality AI in 2024, more than 54 per cent of longer-form English language posts on LinkedIn are now AI-generated, with a significant spike happening in 2023, coinciding with the launch of accessible AI models like ChatGPT.
Also read: iOS 26: everything you need to know about Apple’s revolutionary update
Above It’s hard to spot inaccuracies in AI slop because they are all glaring errors (Photo: Pixabay)
It’s hard to spot inaccuracies in AI slop because they are all glaring errors (Photo: Pixabay)
1 / 1
Using AI to generate more content isn’t the problem, though; it’s the careless approach with which this content is being generated. This means that the internet is getting noticeably cluttered with mass-produced content, which is drowning out quality content.
But we are all complicit, too. For instance, every time we click on a headline that promises “10 Life-Changing Career Secrets” on LinkedIn (ahem, might have been guilty of this myself!), we’re feeding the algorithm that produces more AI slop. The platforms we love are becoming saturated with content that technically answers our queries but fails—to borrow Marie Kondo’s words—to “spark joy”.
The irony isn’t lost on us. AI has extraordinary potential to enhance creativity and productivity, yet it has undeniably resulted in an avalanche of mediocre content. The tools themselves aren’t the villain—it’s how we’re choosing to use them that matters.
Above AI slop is everywhere, and it’s changing how we consume information online (Photo: AI-generated)
AI slop is everywhere, and it’s changing how we consume information online (Photo: AI-generated)
1 / 1
But that’s not even the real problem, it’s the subtle mistakes that slip past us. Researchers at Harvard Kennedy School’s Misinformation Review have found that AI-generated text can sound perfectly plausible while containing quiet inaccuracies.
According to their analysis published on August 27, 2025, “These errors are generated by probabilistic AI systems with no understanding of accuracy or intent to deceive.” The same report says that “even the best-performing AI tools still generate false information at a non-zero baseline rate, regardless of how they are used”. This means a recipe might list the wrong oven temperature or a wellness article might get a dosage slightly off. These aren’t glaring falsehoods that make you pause. They’re small errors tucked into otherwise convincing copy, which makes them dangerously easy to miss.
So what’s the antidote? Becoming more discerning consumers. Look for content with a distinct voice, verifiable expertise and genuine insight. Support creators who use AI as a tool rather than a replacement for human thought. And perhaps most importantly, resist the urge to add to the noise ourselves.
In a world drowning in AI slop, we need to keep an eye out for authenticity. The question isn’t whether AI will shape our digital future—it already is. The question is whether we’ll demand better.
Topics
Suchetana Mukhopadhyay is the Digital Content Manager for Tatler Hong Kong. In this role, she leads all digital editorial and branded content on Tatler Hong Kong’s website, from brainstorming story ideas with the writers to editing and publishing the articles, and from managing the overall content flow to driving search engine optimisation. She also leads the beauty content at Tatler Hong Kong and across the region, and is always looking to champion diversity through her articles. She was previously with Cedar Hong Kong and Gafencu, and freelanced for the South China Morning Post, Campaign Asia-Pacific, CNN and more. Contact her here.
