VRChat community protests AI slop, forcing developer policy review

The VRChat community is up in arms over the spread of AI-generated content on the platform. The uproar began when a prominent volunteer, known as Patroll, announced they were stepping back from their work on the app's wiki and translation efforts in protest, per Kotaku.

Patroll cited a "rampant plague" of AI-created worlds and images, including deceptive thumbnail previews that misrepresent what a world contains. They called for developers to add "no AI" banners to their creations and demanded the platform do more to filter such content.

The protest gained traction, with many popular worlds displaying the banners. This strong reaction prompted VRChat's developers to issue a statement and launch a community consultation on a formal AI policy. They acknowledged being at an "uncomfortable crossroads," noting the technology can help development but also create vast amounts of poor content that harms human connection.

Immediate changes include banning deceptive thumbnails. The company says it currently allows AI for translation, coding help, and development tools. For user-facing uses like AI-generated worlds or assets, they are seeking user input on whether to require labels or enact prohibitions. They also promise to improve search to surface better content.

Response has been mixed, with some wanting mandatory labeling immediately. Patroll has urged the team to implement more robust user-controlled filtering options. The consultation is set to continue for a week before VRChat finalizes its new policies.