Adobe responds to vocal uproar over new Terms of Service language
What specific criticisms has Adobe faced from its users and stock contributors regarding its stance on generative AI?
Adobe has faced criticisms from its users and stock contributors regarding its stance on generative AI for several reasons. Some users are concerned that Adobe's AI models may be trained on their content without their permission or compensation. This is particularly troubling for professional artists and designers who rely on Adobe's software for their livelihoods and may not want their unique styles and techniques replicated by AI.
Additionally, Adobe has been accused of using artists' names as tags to sell AI-generated art on Adobe Stock without their consent, which some artists view as copyright infringement2. While Adobe claims that its submission policies and guidelines prohibit the submission of generative AI content created using prompts referring to people, including artist names, without the legal right to do so, some artists are still unhappy with the situation6.
Furthermore, Adobe's recent changes to its terms of service, which give the company broad rights to access, use, and share user-created content for various purposes, have sparked a significant backlash from users who feel their privacy has been violated and their creative works are being exploited without their consent. This has led to calls for boycotts of Adobe products, online petitions demanding that Adobe reverse the changes, and some users seeking out alternative software from companies with stronger privacy policies.
What new terms have been introduced in Adobe's updated "Terms of Service" and how do they relate to the use of AI and machine learning?
Adobe's updated "Terms of Service" includes new language that has raised concerns among some users. The updated terms state that Adobe may access, view, or listen to user content through both automated and manual methods. The purpose of this access is to improve Adobe's Services and Software and the user experience, using techniques such as machine learning4.
This change has caused outrage among some professional users who are concerned that Adobe is claiming the right to access their content, use it freely, and even sub-license it to others3. The company requires users to agree to the new terms in order to continue using Adobe apps, locking them out until they do so.
Some users have objected to Adobe's claims that it may access, view, or listen to user content, using techniques such as machine learning in order to improve its Services and Software4. They believe this implies surveillance and the potential training of AI on their content, even confidential content for clients protected under non-disclosure agreements or confidentiality clauses/contracts between said Adobe users and clients.
Adobe has responded to the backlash, stating that the policy has been in place for many years and that the company added clarifying examples to the Terms of Use regarding when Adobe may access user content. The company also emphasized that it does not access, view, or listen to content that is stored locally on any user's device.
How has Adobe incorporated generative AI into its existing products?
Adobe has incorporated generative AI into its existing products in several ways. One of the most notable implementations is through Adobe Firefly, a family of generative AI models designed for creative expression. Firefly can generate images, text effects, and vectors, and is integrated into applications such as Adobe Express, Photoshop, and Illustrator.
Another implementation is the AI Assistant for Adobe's customer experience software, which helps users with content generation and personalization. Adobe has also introduced Generative Fill and other generative AI features in Photoshop, which significantly speed up tasks such as retouching and image manipulation5.
Adobe's approach to integrating generative AI is focused on empowering users to express their creative ideas more efficiently and without constraints, while also addressing concerns around responsibility, ethics, and copyright.