Artificial intelligence-generated content has become a dominant presence on TikTok, according to a new study by video creation platform Kapwing, which found that nearly six out of every ten videos shown to a newly created TikTok account were AI-generated.
The report highlights the growing influence of synthetic content on social media platforms and raises questions about content quality, transparency and user experience as AI tools become increasingly accessible.
TikTok Shows Significantly More AI Content Than YouTube
To measure the prevalence of AI-generated videos, Kapwing created new accounts on both TikTok and YouTube and analyzed the first 500 videos recommended by each platform.
The results showed that 294 of the first 500 videos served on TikTok were generated using artificial intelligence, representing 59 percent of the feed. By comparison, YouTube Shorts delivered 104 AI-generated videos among its first 500 recommendations, accounting for 21 percent.
The findings suggest that AI-created content appears nearly three times more frequently on TikTok than on YouTube for first-time users.
The study arrives as TikTok continues to grapple with the rapid growth of AI-generated media. The platform had reportedly labeled more than 1.3 billion videos as AI-generated by November, underscoring the scale of synthetic content circulating across the service.
Children’s Content Emerges as the Most Affected Category
Beyond the initial feed analysis, Kapwing reviewed more than 10,000 TikTok videos across 20 content categories to identify where AI-generated material is most concentrated.
Children’s content recorded the highest proportion of AI-created videos. Among 2,000 videos examined in the category, 57 percent were found to be generated by artificial intelligence.
The study identified the hashtag #cartoonkids as one of the most saturated areas of the platform. Researchers found that 97 of the top 100 videos associated with the tag were AI-generated.
Educational and Informational Content Also Heavily Impacted
Several knowledge-focused categories also showed a significant presence of AI-generated material.
Science and Education, Health and History each recorded AI content rates ranging from 33 percent to 35 percent. Researchers suggested that these categories are particularly susceptible because animated visuals and AI-generated narration can easily replace traditional demonstrations, expert presentations or original footage.
The trend raises concerns about the accuracy and reliability of information presented in educational content, especially when viewers may not immediately recognize that videos were created using artificial intelligence.
Fashion, Music and Fitness Remain Largely Human-Created
In contrast, categories that rely heavily on personal appearances and original performances showed minimal AI influence.
Fashion, Music and Fitness content each recorded AI-generated video rates below 2 percent. The report suggests that these formats continue to depend on real creators appearing on camera, making them less likely to be replaced by fully synthetic productions.
TikTok has introduced tools that allow users to reduce the amount of AI-generated content appearing in their feeds. However, the study indicates that AI videos remain highly visible in default recommendations, particularly for new users.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape online content creation, researchers argue that users may need to become more vigilant when evaluating the authenticity and reliability of videos appearing in their feeds.
The findings highlight a broader challenge facing social media platforms: balancing the rapid growth of AI-generated content with user expectations for authenticity, transparency and meaningful engagement.
