Bluesky, the social media platform, recently addressed growing concerns from artists and content creators about the use of their content for AI training. Following the addition of its 16 millionth user, the company explicitly stated it has “no intention” of using user-generated content to train generative AI models.
This assurance comes as a relief to many creators who have migrated from platforms like X (formerly Twitter), seeking a more transparent and respectful approach to data usage. Bluesky’s statement directly responds to anxieties surrounding the practice of using creative content without explicit consent for training AI algorithms.
Bluesky emphasized its use of AI is limited to internal operations. “Bluesky uses AI internally to assist in content moderation,” the team explained. This AI usage helps streamline content review and protect human moderators from harmful material. Additionally, AI powers the Discover algorithmic feed, recommending posts to users based on their interests. Crucially, Bluesky clarified that neither of these systems employs generative AI trained on user-generated content.
While Bluesky’s wording doesn’t entirely preclude a future policy change, it presents a stark contrast to X’s recent updates. X, under Elon Musk’s leadership, modified its privacy policy to explicitly allow the use of user posts for training its Grok large language model.
This isn’t X’s first attempt to leverage user data for AI training. The platform adjusted its privacy policy in July to gain access to user-based training data. A further change in mid-October extended this access to third-party “collaborators,” permitting them to train models on X data unless users specifically opted out.
These changes, effective November 15, grant X access to all public posts, including text, images, and interactions, for training Grok and other potential AI models. This has prompted users concerned about their content being used without their consent to explore options for managing their social media presence and data privacy.
Bluesky on the App Store, displayed on iPhone 16 Plus.
In conclusion, Bluesky’s commitment to not using user content for AI training offers a significant differentiator in the current social media landscape. This decision directly addresses the concerns of creators and fosters a more trusting environment. As AI continues to evolve, platforms like Bluesky prioritize user rights and data privacy will likely become increasingly attractive to content creators.
