VRChat is currently weathering a sizable backlash among users due to a controversial decision to not label AI-generated content.

VRChat released a survey earlier this month asking users whether the social VR platform should in some way label AI-generated content as a way to fight back against low-quality slop.

The survey in question polled over 21,000 users. While results are no longer viewable online, Japanese outlet Automaton reports that around 95% of survey responders indicated they wanted VRChat to add an AI-generated content label, which would simplify filtering out AI content.

In a statement last week, the studio announced it won’t be implementing the change, maintaining the move may cause more harm than good:

“We’re not adding an ‘AI-generated’ label or AI filters. While we think some creators would honestly label their content, we think others would try to pass off generative or assisted work as completely authored by hand,” VRChat says. “Likewise, we could see this creating ‘sleuthing’ behavior, where folks would attempt to sniff out ‘AI’ content or might harass other creators, even if they are genuinely not using any AI tools in their workflow. We think this potentially creates negative behavior spirals we don’t want to encourage.”

Instead, the company has vowed to ban what it calls “AI-generated inaccurate thumbnails” used to advertise worlds. It’s also adding a way to like and dislike worlds, and a way to provide feedback on worlds within VRChat.

While an obligatory ‘AI content’ label is not longer in question, the studio says it’s still debating on whether it will offer an optional ‘Human-authored’ mark that creators can apply when publishing:

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