Twitch, the popular livestreaming platform, has announced that its users can now stop Amazon from using their content to train its generative artificial intelligence (AI) models. This move comes after the company faced widespread backlash from its community, with many users expressing concerns over the use of their data for AI training.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, confirmed that Amazon, which acquired Twitch for nearly $1 billion in 2014, had been using the platform’s content, including streams, clips, images, and chats, to train its AI models. The company’s chief product officer, Mike Minton, stated that the data collection had been turned on by default, but users can now opt out if they prefer.
Opting Out of AI Training Data Collection
Minton explained that if the data collection had been opt-in from the start, it’s likely that few users would have chosen to participate. He emphasized that users who remain opted in may have any of their channel content used for training, but assured that the data collected will not be re-sold to other companies. Mary Kish, head of community at Twitch, provided a tutorial on how to disable generative AI training through a user’s channel settings.
The decision to use Twitch content for AI training has sparked controversy among the platform’s users, with many expressing their dissatisfaction in the chat column during a recent stream. One viewer commented that nobody would opt-in to feed AI with their creativity and content, while another user suggested that Twitch had an opportunity to set an industry standard by pushing back against data collection for AI.
Industry Standard and User Concerns
Kish acknowledged that data collection for AI training has become an industry standard, but noted that the company does not expect users to be happy about it. The exact timing of when Amazon began collecting Twitch users’ data for AI training is unclear, with Minton stating that he was unsure what Amazon had done in terms of model training and what data had been used.
Amazon’s AI Ambitions
Amazon has been investing heavily in the development of its AI capabilities, as it seeks to compete with other technology giants such as Google and Meta. The company runs a range of AI services, and the use of Twitch content for AI training is likely to be an important aspect of its strategy. However, the controversy surrounding the use of user data for AI training highlights the need for companies to be transparent about their data collection practices and to provide users with clear options for opting out.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
