TikTok Enhances Accessibility with AI-Generated ALT Text and New Features
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TikTok rolls out new accessibility tools, including AI-generated ALT text | TechCrunch
TikTok announced on Wednesday that it's expanding its suite of accessibility tools by rolling out AI-generated ALT text for photos, a high contrast mode, and support for device-level bold text preferences. TikTok introduced support for ALT text for photos a few weeks ago, allowing creators to
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These New TikTok Features Aim to Make Text and Images More Accessible
Named a Tech Media Trailblazer by the Consumer Technology Association in 2019, a winner of SPJ NorCal's Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2022 and has three times been a finalist in the LA Press Club's National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Awards. TikTok is adding a batch of new accessibility
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TikTok is using AI-generated alt text to describe photos
Jess Weatherbed is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews. TikTok is introducing new accessibility features that make it easier for people with visual impairments to see text and use
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TikTok Is Adding Three New Accessibility Features
Accessibility features built into devices and apps are essential for making tech easier to use. Apple recently announced a suite of new and expanded accessibility updates -- like Accessibility Reader and improved Braille support -- coming to its devices later this year. TikTok is now rolling out a
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TikTok is implementing AI-generated ALT texts for better accesibility
TikTok is expanding its accessibility features with the rollout of AI-generated ALT text for photos, a high-contrast mode, and support for device-level bold text preferences, the company announced on Wednesday. The new AI-generated ALT text feature automatically describes photos out loud when
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TikTok Adds AI-Generated Alt Text for Photos and New Accessibility Tools
AI can now automatically add a descriptive alt text to images on TikTok TikTok announced three new accessibility-focused features on Thursday. The new features were announced on the occasion of the Global Accessibility Awareness Day, which falls on the third Thursday in May (this year, it is on
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TikTok rolls out AI-generated ALT text, high contrast mode, and bold text support to improve accessibility for users with visual impairments and other disabilities.
TikTok Introduces AI-Generated ALT Text for Enhanced Accessibility
TikTok has announced a significant expansion of its accessibility features, with the introduction of AI-generated ALT text for photos, high contrast mode, and support for device-level bold text preferences
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. These new tools aim to make the platform more inclusive and user-friendly for people with visual impairments and other disabilities.AI-Powered ALT Text Generation
The most notable addition is the AI-generated ALT text feature, which automatically describes photos aloud when creators don't manually add alt text
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. This technology builds upon TikTok's recent introduction of manual ALT text support for photos, allowing creators to provide descriptive text for images. The AI-generated version ensures that even when creators don't add descriptions, users with visual impairments can still understand the content through spoken descriptions3
.High Contrast Mode and Bold Text Support
TikTok has also introduced a high contrast mode, accessible through the "color contrast" option in the app's accessibility settings. This feature increases the foreground color of text, icons, and user interface elements, making the app more usable for people with low vision or sensitivity to low contrast
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.Additionally, the app now adheres to users' device-level bold text settings, automatically displaying all in-app text in bold when enabled. This enhancement improves readability for users who prefer or rely on bolder fonts
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.Related Stories
Expanding Accessibility Features
These new features join TikTok's existing suite of accessibility tools, which includes:
- Auto-generated captions for video content
- Dark mode
- Text-to-speech functionality
- Adjustable text size across the app
- Removal of photosensitive videos
- Animated thumbnails
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Industry Context and User Impact
TikTok's move to implement AI-generated ALT text follows in the footsteps of Instagram, which has been using AI for ALT text since 2018
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. This development comes ahead of Global Accessibility Awareness Day on May 15, highlighting the growing focus on digital accessibility across the tech industry2
.By introducing these features, TikTok aims to empower users with disabilities to share their stories, create content, and connect with others more effectively. The company emphasizes its commitment to building inclusive products, stating, "We know that when people feel seen, heard, and supported, they're empowered to share their stories, create and connect with others in meaningful ways"
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.As social media platforms continue to evolve, accessibility features like these play a crucial role in ensuring that digital spaces remain open and inclusive for all users, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
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