Automattic Negotiates Content Sale to AI Giants Amidst Privacy Concerns: A New Era of Data Use in AI Training

In a development that stirs controversy, Automattic, the parent company of WordPress, is in advanced talks to sell content from its platforms to AI industry leaders such as MidJourney and OpenAI.

This revelation, disclosed by a recent report from 404 Media, unfolds amidst growing discussions about the utilization of user data for training AI systems.

Although details of the deal remain uncertain, Automattic strives to reassure its users that they have the option to opt out at any time.

The company faces internal contradictions as the report suggests that some of the aggregated content for AI companies includes private information, potentially breaching data protection expectations.

Among the content reaching AI training datasets are advertisements for which Automattic does not own the rights, including campaigns from Apple Music.

This situation raises questions about intellectual property and data usage in the age of generative AI, which has become a significant business venture since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in late 2022.

Generative AI, trained on vast amounts of data to produce seemingly original content, has alarmed publishers claiming that data use for training these systems was either pirated or not fair use. Some publishers have filed lawsuits related to this issue.

In an attempt to alleviate these concerns, Automattic plans to introduce a new option allowing users to opt out of using their content for AI system training, this move follows a similar setting introduced by WordPress competitor Squarespace last year.

Automattic confirmed the reports in a new post, indicating that this step gives users more control over their content, the post defends the company’s plans, emphasizing a commitment to a free and open internet and respecting user preferences regarding AI training.

As AI continues to evolve and impact all aspects of daily life, Automattic is taking steps to ensure respect for its users’ privacy and preferences.

This development highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between technological advancement and individual rights, fueling the debate on ethical data use in the era of AI.