The AI slop gold rush: Viral videos you wish would stop (but make money)

A new trend in digital content production is emerging as creators increasingly use artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and OpenAI’s Sora to generate unique but often low-effort videos, referred to as “AI slop.” These videos have become prevalent on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, attracting significant views and revenue. This phenomenon indicates a shift in the online content landscape, where bizarre and surreal themes are capturing audience attention.

One notable example is the “Monkey Vlogger” on Indian YouTube, which features videos of a monkey performing human-like activities in culturally significant locations. Since its inception, the channel has amassed over 1.1 million views, showcasing the potential for such AI-generated content to gain traction quickly. Many creators are now leaving their traditional jobs to focus on this lucrative avenue, sharing techniques to replicate similar content production.

While the emergence of AI-driven content has proven financially beneficial for some, it has raised concerns among traditional artists and filmmakers, whose specialized works struggle for visibility among the flood of low-quality videos. Platforms like YouTube are attempting to address this issue by tightening their monetization policies to favor authentic content, though some creators are finding ways to evade these regulations.