Had enough of ‘AI slop?’

I enjoy scrolling through social media at times just to relax or distract my mind when it feels overwhelmed. Yet, scattered between videos from my favorite creators, lies all kinds of material that, while hyper-realistic, feels entirely unnatural. Other videos appear too perfect, too smooth and utterly devoid of meaning.

With the rise of generative artificial intelligence, has also come the rise of what is being termed “AI slop.” It’s that mountain of AI-generated filler that increasingly inhabits social media, mostly for the purpose of catching our attention, getting clicks, inflating the statistics and keeping us in our feeds.

As the percentage of AI slop on social media continues to climb, what does this trend mean for us who would rather celebrate the genius of human-created art rather than get sucked in by algorithm-driven dribble?

— Created, not generated —

When we evaluate AI, precision in our language matters. Humans create; AI generates. While crafting an effective AI prompt takes skill, the resulting product springs not from human ingenuity, but from statistical probability.

In his 1999 “Letter to Artists,” St. John Paul II reminds us that human artistic expression reflects God’s own creative power. Authentic art draws inspiration from something no machine possesses: human experience, suffering, emotion and reflection. No machine has the heart and soul of a person, as much as it might sound or look as though it does.

When Pope Leo XIV met with a group of artists in Rome at the beginning of October, he emphasized that there is an “ontological difference between art and what a machine can generate through statistical calculation based on millions of images created by others.” At its very core, authentic culture and art “preserve the spark” of what it means to be human.

Facing an endless stream of AI-generated content online naturally brings frustration. As the technical quality of these tools improves, the line between human craftsmanship and machine generation blurs. When we constantly have to guess whether a story, image or video is real, our capacity for empathy can easily decay into cynicism.

— Employing critical thinking —

Honing our critical thinking skills becomes paramount when dealing with the volume of AI slop online. Rooted in Catholic Social Teaching, how can our online habits honor human dignity and celebrate God’s truth, beauty and goodness?

First, pause and evaluate. Learn to identify the subtle signs that distinguish human creation from AI generation. Ask critical questions like who created this? Is there a real person behind this? Take a moment to verify the source. While ethical creators clearly label AI-generated material, many do not. Checking the origin of what you consume fulfills your responsibility to engage with technology mindfully.

Second, prioritize human-created content and craftsmanship. Consider the long credits that roll at the end of a film. They extend for minutes because hundreds of people poured their labor, skills and passion into that single story. Recognizing and supporting artists, writers, musicians and creators of any kind, honors their labor and respects their God-given gifts. For example, when searching for workshop graphics, I use royalty-free sites such as Pixabay or Unsplash, but I intentionally filter for human-created media — leaving the mountain of AI images behind.

Finally, slow down. Balance rapid social media scrolling with deeper, more meaningful encounters. Read a physical book, visit an art gallery or museum and appreciate the humanness of what you see. Even better, bring family or friends along. Take time to study the statues, paintings and stained-glass windows in your own parish church, letting that sacred beauty nourish your interior life.

— Get creative —

Recognizing the reality of “AI slop” does not mean we must reject technology altogether. We can use AI tools constructively without outsourcing our core creative gifts or eroding human dignity. The reward of awareness lies in being at peace in our own interior life and giving praise that we are made in the image and likeness of God.

As baptized Christians called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, we cannot stop at merely spotting AI slop. Rather we actively seek to champion human creativity that reflects the goodness, truth and beauty of God. By insisting on authenticity in our media choices, we bear witness to the inherent dignity of the human person — a dignity no machine can ever replace.

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