Reels and Short Content: A Challenge for AI and Information Quality in Thailand
Over the next five years, the prevalence of short content such as reels and clips is likely to impact the quality and type of data that AI can utilize in Thailand.
Content Quality
The landscape of content creation has shifted dramatically. Previously, high-quality content was typically produced by experts deeply specialized in their fields—engineers, doctors, or professionals with formal education in communication or other disciplines. However, with the rise of social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube over the past decade, content creation has become accessible to anyone. This shift has led to a flood of content that often lacks depth, originality, or copyright infringement.
A concerning trend is the prevalence of individuals pretending to be professionals, offering in-depth reviews or expert opinions while copying or misrepresenting copyrighted material.
Information Shallowness
In Thailand, social media’s focus on entertainment has led to a shallow consumption of information. Content that emphasizes humor, sensationalism, or emotional appeal tends to dominate over thoughtful, educational, or in-depth discussions. This often includes:
- Superficial Sharing: Users frequently share headlines or partial information without fully engaging with the content.
- Misinformation: The spread of fake news, misinterpretations, or unverified information without proper references is rampant.
This shallowness diminishes critical thinking and analytical skills, particularly in areas requiring careful consideration, such as medical or life-related knowledge. Short, incomplete data often prioritizes engagement over accuracy, contributing to a decline in deep learning.
Content Copying
Copyright infringement has become a widespread issue in the transition from traditional web platforms to social media. This includes:
- Direct Copying: Republishing articles, images, or videos without proper credit to the creators.
- Slight Modifications: Altering text or visuals slightly while retaining the original ideas.
- Monetized Copying: Using stolen content to generate revenue, such as reposting clips on platforms like TikTok or YouTube to maximize views or promote products.
This practice discourages original creators, reduces creativity, and leads to the repetition of low-value content. Many creators abandon originality to mimic trends, further saturating social media with repetitive and shallow material.
Platform Responsibility
Social media platforms play a significant role in shaping content trends. Algorithms often prioritize engagement metrics over quality, favoring viral or entertaining content over informative or insightful material. For example, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram frequently promote short reels or live sales, while informative posts struggle to gain visibility.
This focus undermines creators aiming to provide high-quality, in-depth content, as they are often overshadowed by clickbait and low-effort material.
Solutions and Management Strategies
- For Individuals:
- Encourage the creation of sustainable, “evergreen” content that remains relevant and valuable over time, akin to planting long-lasting trees.
- Foster critical thinking skills among users to discern credible content from shallow or fake information.
- For Platforms:
- Develop AI tools to detect and reduce redundant, copied, or low-quality content.
- Adjust algorithms to prioritize high-quality, informative posts over shallow or purely entertaining material.
- Implement stricter filters to prevent AI from learning and perpetuating low-quality or plagiarized content.
- For Society and Government:
- Launch digital literacy programs to educate the public on distinguishing real from fake information and encourage creative content production.
- Enforce copyright laws more rigorously to deter online infringement.
Final Thoughts
Although it is challenging to align financial incentives with high-quality content creation, small steps can make a difference. By filtering algorithms to discourage shallow content and encouraging platforms to support originality, we can foster a more informed and creative digital space in Thailand. Governments, platforms, and users all have a role to play in promoting a culture of meaningful and responsible content creation.