The era of easily identifiable AI-generated content is over. What was once obviously artificial—like the infamous “Shrimp Jesus” images—has evolved into hyper-realistic AI slop that’s nearly indistinguishable from authentic human-created content. From convincing deepfake videos of public figures to sophisticated text and images, AI-generated content is flooding social media platforms at an unprecedented rate.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri recently posted a prediction on Threads acknowledging this reality: AI images, text, and videos will become increasingly realistic, making it harder to separate them from genuine content on his platform. Rather than viewing this as a crisis, Mosseri presents an optimistic vision for addressing the challenge. His strategy involves three key pillars: building superior creative tools (both AI-driven and traditional) for human creators to compete, implementing clear labeling of AI-generated content with manufacturer partnerships to verify authenticity at capture through fingerprinting real media, and surfacing credibility signals about content creators so users can decide who to trust.
Mosseri’s core thesis is that authenticity will become a scarce resource, driving increased demand for genuine creator content rather than less. As AI-generated material proliferates, he believes people will naturally gravitate toward human-produced content that’s authentic, less polished, intimate, and real. This represents a hopeful message for creators and advertisers concerned about their relevance in an AI-saturated landscape.
Meanwhile, OpenAI’s chief economist Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji told the Financial Times that AI will help liberate humans from mundane household chores, though skepticism remains about the timeline and practicality of such automation for tasks like toilet scrubbing or childcare.
Ben Thompson of Stratechery offers another optimistic perspective, arguing that even in a future dominated by AI automation, humans will continue to value and prize human labor precisely because it’s human. He suggests that uniqueness and imperfections downstream from human creation will hold true value, using intimate human relationships as an example where AI substitutes will never truly replace authentic human connection. This represents hope that human creativity and labor will remain valuable even as AI capabilities exponentially increase.
Key Quotes
Authenticity is fast becoming a scarce resource, which will in turn drive more demand for creator content, not less.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri made this statement on Threads, arguing that as AI-generated content proliferates, genuine human-created content will become more valuable and sought-after rather than obsolete.
We need to label AI-generated content clearly, and work with manufacturers to verify authenticity at capture—fingerprinting real media, not just chasing fake.
Mosseri outlined Instagram’s strategy for addressing the AI content flood, emphasizing proactive verification of authentic content rather than reactive detection of fake content—a significant shift in platform moderation philosophy.
I have no doubt that there will be human-like robots with which you can have sex; I also have even stronger conviction that the overwhelming preference of humans will be to have sex with other humans.
Ben Thompson of Stratechery used this provocative example to illustrate his broader argument that humans will continue to value human labor and creation even in a world of advanced AI automation, because uniqueness and human imperfection hold inherent value.
Our Take
This article captures the AI industry’s transition from technical capability to societal integration. What’s striking is the optimistic framing from tech leaders who acknowledge the problem while positioning it as solvable. Mosseri’s admission that Instagram will be flooded with AI content could be seen as defeat, yet he reframes it as an opportunity to elevate human creativity.
The real test will be execution. Labeling and verification systems sound promising, but implementation at scale is notoriously difficult. We’ve seen platforms struggle with far simpler content moderation challenges. The assumption that users will naturally gravitate toward authentic human content may be overly optimistic—many users don’t care about authenticity if the content entertains them.
Thompson’s argument about human value persisting is compelling but perhaps too philosophical for immediate economic concerns. Workers displaced by AI need solutions now, not reassurance about 2126. The gap between AI’s current impact and these optimistic long-term visions remains uncomfortably wide.
Why This Matters
This story captures a critical inflection point in the AI revolution: the moment when AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from human creation. For the AI industry, this represents both a technical achievement and a societal challenge that requires immediate solutions. Instagram’s response signals how major platforms will navigate the authenticity crisis—through labeling, verification systems, and empowering human creators with better tools.
The broader implications extend beyond social media. As AI content floods digital spaces, the value proposition of human creativity fundamentally shifts. Rather than competing on technical perfection, human creators may find their value in authenticity, imperfection, and genuine connection—qualities AI cannot replicate. This could reshape creative industries, advertising, and how we consume media.
For businesses and workers, the message is clear: adaptation is essential. Companies must invest in verification systems and transparency, while creators need to emphasize their human authenticity. The optimistic predictions from tech leaders like Mosseri and Chatterji suggest the AI industry believes humans and machines can coexist productively, but only if platforms and society actively work to preserve and value human contribution in an increasingly automated world.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-slop-photos-videos-instagram-chatgpt-humans-2026-1