By Milcah Tanimu
LinkedIn has announced plans to utilize its users’ data for training its Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, effective November 20, 2024. This update, shared with users over the weekend, aims to enhance the platform’s AI capabilities, including generative AI, which assists in content creation and moderation.
However, LinkedIn will not include data from the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in this training due to stringent data protection laws in these regions. This exclusion ensures compliance with local regulations, maintaining user trust while leveraging the data for innovation.
For users outside these regions, LinkedIn provides an opt-out option. Those who prefer not to share their information for AI training can navigate to “Settings & Privacy,” select the “Data Privacy” tab, and disable the “Data for Generative AI Improvement” feature. However, LinkedIn clarifies that opting out only prevents future data use for training and does not affect data already utilized in previous AI models.
Additionally, the updated User Agreement outlines how LinkedIn will handle content recommendations and moderation while introducing provisions related to generative AI tools. These changes aim to empower creators by allowing broader content distribution and enhancing visibility on the platform.
LinkedIn’s decision aligns with broader trends in social media, where platforms like Elon Musk’s X and Meta are also incorporating user-generated data to train their AI systems. These companies similarly provide users the option to opt-out, highlighting a growing emphasis on data privacy amidst advancements in AI technology.
