DuckDuckGo, known for its commitment to privacy, is introducing a new feature to enhance user experience by allowing people to filter out AI-generated images in their search results. This update comes as a response to user feedback, with many expressing that AI images clutter their search efforts.
To use this feature, users can start a search on DuckDuckGo, navigate to the Images tab, and find a dropdown menu labeled “AI images.” From there, they can select whether to “show” or “hide” AI-generated content. Additionally, the filter can be activated in the search settings by opting for “Hide AI-Generated Images.”
This initiative arises amid a growing presence of low-quality AI content on the internet, often referred to as “AI slop.” DuckDuckGo utilizes manually curated open-source blocklists, such as those from uBlockOrigin and the Huge AI Blocklist, to help reduce the appearance of AI-generated images, though it’s not foolproof.
Looking ahead, DuckDuckGo plans to roll out more filters, though specific details remain under wraps. Interestingly, the company demonstrated the new feature with an image search for a baby peacock, echoing a previous controversy where Google was criticized for displaying more AI-generated than real images in similar searches.
