Amazon will train on Twitch streamers’ content by default, unless they opt out
"If this was opt-in, nobody would opt in," Twitch CPO Mike Minton said on a livestream responding to user feedback. "That's honestly the answer."
Amazon plans to train generative AI models using Twitch creators' content, unless they opt out of the process. This development has sparked widespread discontent among the Twitch community, particularly because the default setting is set to include user content in AI training. Amazon stands to benefit greatly from the vast archive of audio and video materials available from Twitch, as it could significantly enhance its AI models.
However, Twitch users are concerned that creators are unaware they are potentially surrendering their content for Amazon's AI training purposes by default. In response to backlash, Twitch's Head of Community, Mary Kish, and Chief Product Officer, Mike Minton, addressed the issue during a live stream viewed by around 3,000 users.
Minton explained that if the feature were set to opt-in, hardly anyone would opt-in. Kish acknowledged that Twitch is not alone in using user content for AI training, citing Meta's practice of incorporating public data from its platforms into its AI models. Kish also explained that offering an opt-out option reflects Twitch's response to the community's desire to prevent its content from being used for generative AI models.
To opt out of AI training on Twitch, users must navigate to their channel settings, select the security and privacy tab, and toggle off the training for generative AI option.
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