Unintentionally, TikTok published a link to an unprotected internal version of the new AI-powered digital avatar image tool, allowing users to create videos on any topic they desire.
CNN detected a tool that enables creating videos containing quotes from Hitler and a message encouraging people to drink bleach, among other phrases.
Since then, TikTok has ceased the release of this tool, while the planned release version remains accessible to everyone.
The digital avatar images were released earlier this week by the platform as part of the Symphony set of advertising solutions for companies, allowing the creation of ads using virtual characters instead of paid actors.
TikTok’s AI-supported dubbing is used to empower advertisers to add texts to avatar images and make them express what they want following specific guidelines.
According to the platform, brands can use digital avatar images to engage with their audience and make content marketing efforts more dynamic.
TikTok claims that using digital avatar images can add human appeal to companies’ content, allowing global creators to reach audiences of various backgrounds, nationalities, and languages.
Individuals with a TikTok Ads Manager account can access this tool, and it is also possible for anyone with a personal account to use the version discovered by CNN.
Laura Perez, a TikTok spokesperson, stated in a press release that the company successfully resolved the technical error that allowed very few users to create content using an internal test version of the tool in a short period.
When CNN discovered a new internal tool, they were able to produce a video encouraging people to vote on the wrong day.
There were no watermarks visible on the videos created by CNN to reveal they were produced by artificial intelligence, which is what the official version of digital images and symbols does.
CNN did not post the videos it created on TikTok because Perez confirmed that the platform would reject publishing this type of content that violates its policies.
