TikTok fires hundreds of employees as it continues to favor AI-powered moderation

TikTok, the popular social media platform, recently confirmed to several outlets that it is revamping its content moderation operation. TikTok's new approach to moderation has resulted in hundreds of layoffs, primarily in Malaysia. Initially reported as causing more than 700 job losses, the strategic shift has been confirmed to affect fewer than 500 employees and does not impact U.S. operations.

TikTok has emphasized that the cuts were contemplated as part of its renewed content moderation strategy. The social media platform claims it is fully committed to enhancing its global content moderation model, and shared plans to invest $2 billion in trust and safety efforts in 2024. The platform reports that 80% of violative content is now removed using automated technologies.

This transition from human moderators to AI-powered systems marks a pivotal change in TikTok's approach to content management. The company employs automated detection alongside human moderators but leans increasingly towards AI solutions.

These layoffs follow earlier workforce reductions in 2024. TikTok employs over 110,000 employees in more than 200 cities globally. However, this year the company cut 250 jobs in Ireland, laid off about a thousand of its operations and marketing teams' employees, and slashed 60 sales and advertising positions.