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ByteDance-owned TikTok slashes hundreds of jobs in shift towards AI content moderation

Short-video platform TikTok currently employs a mix of automated detection and human moderators to review content posted on the site

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TikTok expects to invest US$2 billion globally this year in various trust and safety initiatives. Photo: Shutterstock
ByteDance-owned social-media platform TikTok is laying off hundreds of employees from its global workforce, including a large number of staff in Malaysia, the company said on Friday, as it shifts focus towards a greater use of artificial intelligence in content moderation.
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Two sources familiar with the matter earlier told Reuters that more than 700 jobs were slashed in Malaysia. TikTok later clarified that less than 500 employees in the country were affected.

The employees, most of whom were involved in the firm’s content-moderation operations, were informed of their dismissal by email late on Wednesday, according to the sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to media.

In response to queries, TikTok confirmed the lay-offs and said that several hundred employees were expected to be affected globally, as part of a wider plan to improve its moderation operations.

TikTok employs a mix of automated detection and human moderators to review content posted on the site.

Close-up view of a video-removal notice on TikTok’s platform. Photo: Shutterstock
Close-up view of a video-removal notice on TikTok’s platform. Photo: Shutterstock
Beijing-based ByteDance has over 110,000 employees in more than 200 cities globally, according to the company’s website.
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