When news of Adobe’s updated terms of service broke in February, many users were alarmed at the language used in the agreement. The mention of accessing user content through automated and manual methods, as well as using machine learning techniques to enhance Adobe’s services, raised red flags among artists who rely on the platform for their work. The fear that Adobe was requiring unlimited access to their creations in order to train its generative AI, Firefly, sparked a wave of skepticism and backlash.
In response to the uproar, Adobe issued a clarification stating that it would not use user content stored locally or in the cloud to train AI, and provided users with the option to opt out of content analytics. However, the ambiguous language used in the initial update to the terms of service had already caused damage to the trust between Adobe and its user base. Artists, such as Riot Games storyboard artist Jon Lam, expressed concerns over the company’s ability to use their work without permission, citing instances where artist Brian Kesinger and the estate of Ansel Adams discovered generative AI imitations of their work being sold without consent.
Fears of Content Ownership and Monetization
Despite Adobe’s reassurances that the updated terms do not grant the company ownership of user content, there remains a lingering fear among artists that their work will be used to train Firefly without their consent. The precedent set by past incidents of generative AI models replicating artists’ work without permission, such as the cases of Karla Ortiz and Greg Rutkowski, has created a climate of unease within the creative community. The potential for nonconsensual use and monetization of copyrighted work by AI models poses a threat to the livelihoods of artists who rely on platforms like Adobe for their creations.
As a longstanding giant in the creative software industry, Adobe’s dominance in the market has given rise to concerns over its monopoly power. The failed attempt to acquire product design company Figma amidst antitrust concerns further solidified the company’s stature in the industry. With Photoshop and PDF creation tools under its belt, Adobe remains the go-to choice for many artists and designers, despite the controversies surrounding its terms of service updates.
Adobe’s new terms of service have sparked a conversation within the creative community about the implications of granting access to user content for the training of AI models. The need for clear communication, transparency, and respect for artists’ rights is crucial in ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship between software providers and their users. As the creative landscape continues to evolve, it is essential for companies like Adobe to address the concerns of their user base and uphold ethical standards in the development and implementation of new technologies.
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