TikTok to use AI-generated text to describe images

TikTok has announced that the company is testing a new feature that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to generate image descriptions, in an effort to make the platform more accessible for users with visual impairments. 

The update builds on the company's earlier introduction of alt text support for photo posts, which was launched in April.

In a blog post published on 14 May, TikTok said, "We recently introduced alternative text for photo posts, which allows creators to add alt text during upload or after publishing. We're building on that by testing a new feature that leverages artificial intelligence to generate alt text which will be read out loud by screen readers. These features improve usability for people who are blind, have low vision, or process content differently."

The company stated that creators will retain the option to write or edit their own descriptions either during the upload process or after publication, allowing them to replace or refine the AI-generated text as needed. While automated descriptions may not always be precise, they provide an alternative to having no descriptive information at all.

TikTok is also rolling out additional visual accessibility enhancements. According to the company, a new contrast toggle will increase the visibility of text, icons, and user interface elements for individuals with low vision or sensitivity to low-contrast visuals. Moreover, the app will now automatically render all text in bold for users whose devices have bold text enabled at the system level.