In June 2024, The New York Times reported on a new term that has emerged in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI): “Slop.” This term refers to low-quality or unwanted content generated by AI, a concept that has just begun to gain public attention. But why is this term so significant?
The Emergence of AI-Generated “Slop” and Its Background
Google recently integrated its Gemini AI model into U.S.-based search results, attempting to solve queries with AI-generated text labeled as “AI Overview.” This led to a rapid increase in AI-generated content, which users began referring to as “slop.”
AI-generated content is reminiscent of an unappetizing heap of food fed to livestock. Such “slop” may deliver quick results, but it’s often difficult for critical thinkers to accept. Recognizing this issue, Google has decided to roll back some of its AI functionalities.
The Potential of the Term “Slop”
Linguist Adam Aleksic suggests that “slop” is a fitting term to describe AI-generated content due to its familiarity. The term actually emerged in 2022 in response to the release of AI art generators. Developer Simon Willison was one of the early adopters of the term, which started gaining traction on platforms like 4chan, Hacker News, and YouTube comments.
Impact of AI on Search Engines
The impact of AI on search engines and the broader internet might not be as dire as initially feared. According to data from Chartbeat, overall search traffic to more than 2,000 major U.S. websites actually increased during the first three weeks after the introduction of AI Overviews. This suggests that AI could have a positive impact, contrary to earlier concerns.
A Defining Term for Low-Quality Machine-Generated Content
Simon Willison remains optimistic about the potential of AI when used correctly but also acknowledges that “slop” might become the defining term for low-quality machine-generated content. He compares it to how we dismiss spam emails: “Ignore that article, it’s just slop,” could be a valuable lesson in the future.
Conclusion
Beware of the low-quality content generated by AI, known as “slop.” Cultivate a habit of critically evaluating search results and selectively extracting only the necessary information. To survive in this flood of information, it’s crucial to sharpen your critical thinking skills. Remember, the information provided by AI is just a starting point, not a complete answer.
Keep the term Slop in mind. It will serve as an important reminder in our modern AI-driven world. Continue to select information carefully and maintain a habit of critical thinking.
Reference: nytimes, “First Came ‘Spam.’ Now, With A.I., We’ve Got ‘Slop’”