TikTok Launches AI-Based Alt Text Feature, Helps Blind And Patients With Vision Disorders

The Alt Text feature on TikTok (photo: dock. TikTok)

JAKARTA After introducing the AI Alive feature for Stories, TikTok is now introducing the Alt Text feature to describe photos. This feature utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology on the platform.

The concept of this feature is simple, which is helping visually impaired users, including other visual impairments, who want to enjoy TikTok. If users find content in the form of photos, they can find out the context of the content.

This feature can actually be found on various social media, including platform X. Alt Text is not added automatically to all photos, but needs awareness of the uploader. If the account owner does not add Alt Text, the photo will not have a description.

At least, TikTok users now know that they can use the Alt Text feature to connect with people with disabilities. If the creator uploads a photo with Alt Text, the AI on the platform will read the text.

"We introduced an alternative text for photo submissions, which allows creators to add alt text during uploading or after publishing. We developed it by testing new features that take advantage of AI," TikTok said in a statement.

This feature has been launched and can be accessed when you want to upload a photo. The trick, creators only need to upload photos as usual. However, in the last editing page before the post is shared, they can scroll the screen and search for the More Options menu.

In the menu, there are several options including Add Alternative Text. Tap the menu, then enter text that matches the context of the photo, such as a white cat holding a book or cat that is walking on the edge of the sidewalk while biting the fish.

Users can describe the photo as detailed as possible according to what they see on the screen. When it's finished, tap the finished button at the top, then upload the photo.