LinkedIn's AI Data Grab

Did you know LinkedIn is using your posts and data to train its AI? If you're in the U.S. or Canada, you might be opted in without even realizing it. Here's what you need to know.

LinkedIn has quietly made a significant change to its user agreement, and it's raising eyebrows. Starting November 20, 2023, the platform will automatically opt users into sharing their data to help train its generative AI models. That means your posts, comments, and other personal information could be used to make LinkedIn's AI smarter—without you explicitly agreeing to it.

While LinkedIn says it's pausing this data collection for users in the European Union and Switzerland (thanks to stricter privacy laws), everyone else, including users in the U.S. and Canada, is fair game. And unless you take action, your data will be part of the AI training process.

Why Should You Care?

At first glance, this might not seem like a big deal. After all, LinkedIn is a professional platform, and you're already sharing your thoughts and experiences with your network, right? But here's the kicker: LinkedIn's AI might use your content without giving you credit. Imagine posting a well-thought-out article, only to have LinkedIn's AI summarize it and present it to others without your name attached. Not cool.

For content creators, thought leaders, and professionals who use LinkedIn to build their personal brand, this is a serious concern. Your hard work could be used to train AI models that generate content without acknowledging your contribution. And while LinkedIn claims to minimize personal data in its training sets, the fact remains that your content is being used without explicit permission.

How to Opt Out on Desktop

Thankfully, opting out of LinkedIn's AI training isn't too complicated, but it does require a few steps. Here's how to do it on your desktop:

1. Log into LinkedIn and click on the 'Me' tab in the top right corner.
2. Select 'Settings and Privacy' from the dropdown menu.
3. Go to the 'Data Privacy' section.
4. Scroll down to 'How LinkedIn uses your data' and find 'Data for Generative AI Improvement.'
5. Toggle the switch to 'Off' to opt out.

While you're in the settings, you might also want to check the 'Data Research' tab. This section gives LinkedIn permission to use your data for research purposes, which could also be something you'd prefer to opt out of.

How to Opt Out on Mobile

If you're more of a mobile user, don't worry—opting out on the LinkedIn app is just as easy:

1. Open the LinkedIn app and tap your profile picture in the upper left corner.
2. Scroll down and tap 'Settings.'
3. Go to 'Data Privacy' and find 'Data for Generative AI Improvement.'
4. Toggle the switch to 'Off' to opt out.

What's Next for LinkedIn Users?

So, now that you know how to opt out, the question is: should you? If you're concerned about privacy or the idea of your content being used without credit, the answer is probably yes. But it's also worth considering how this might impact the future of content creation on LinkedIn. Will AI-generated content dilute the value of original posts? Will creators lose control over their intellectual property?

These are questions worth pondering as LinkedIn continues to push forward with its AI initiatives. For now, though, taking a few minutes to adjust your settings can give you peace of mind and protect your data from being used in ways you might not agree with.

For more details on LinkedIn's AI data usage, check out the full article on Fast Company.