Introduction to TikTok’s Restructuring
TikTok is at risk of job losses in Great Britain as it turns to artificial intelligence to evaluate problematic content. The video sharing app said that global restructuring is taking place, which means that it "concentrates the operation at fewer locations".
Impact on Employees
Discharges affect those who work in their trust and security departments and concentrate on the moderation of content. The unions have angrily reacted to the move – and claim "TikTok’s millions of British users will be endangered".
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Figures from the Tech industry preserved indicate that more than 85% of the videos that were removed due to violation of its community guidelines are now identified by automated tools. In the meantime, it is claimed that 99% of the problematic content is proactively removed before they are reported by the users. Managers also argue that AI systems can help reduce the amount of stressful content to which moderation teams are exposed.
Online Security Law
It comes weeks after the online security law came into force, which means that social networks can be exposed to enormous fines if they do not stop the spread of harmful materials. The Union Communication Personal claimed that the announcement of redundancy is "probably a significant reduction in the platform’s vital moderation teams".
Concerns About AI
In an explanation, it warned: "In addition to concerns that range from stress at work to clarity to questions such as wage scales and office presence guidelines, employees also expressed concerns about the quality of the AI in the moderation of the content. Many members believe that the AI alternatives used are "hastily developed and immature".
Future Plans
As part of the proposed plans, the employees concerned would be re-assigned their roles elsewhere in Europe or treated by third-party providers, with a lower number of trust and safety roles remaining on the British soil. The company currently employs more than 2,500 people in Great Britain and is to open a new office in the center of London next year.
Statement from TikTok
A TikTok spokesman said: "We continue a restructuring that we started last year to strengthen our global operating model for trust and security. This includes the concentration of our business activities in less locations worldwide to ensure that we maximize effectiveness and speed if we develop this critical function for the company with advantage of technological advances."
