Oct 01, 2024 17:00:00

Online learning site Udemy ends 'opt-out period for generative AI training' after just three weeks, sparking outrage among instructors

Udemy , an online learning platform, announced an AI-based tool in July 2024, revealing that content posted by instructors would be used to train generative AI. After that, instructors were given a period in which they could refuse to have their content used to train generative AI, but this opt-out period ended after just three weeks, causing confusion among instructors, as reported by foreign media 404 Media.

Massive E-Learning Platform Udemy Gave Teachers a Gen AI 'Opt-Out Window'. It's Already Over.
https://www.404media.co/massive-e-learning-platform-udemy-gave-teachers-a-gen-ai-opt-out-window-its-already-over/

The generative AI tools that Udemy announced in July 2024 include an AI assistant that allows learners to find courses that are right for them via chat, a tool that allows organizational administrators to create learning programs to train their employees, and a tool that generates AI-generated content that instructors can use in their own courses.

According to Udemy's Generative AI Policy for Instructors published on August 14, instructors will automatically participate in the Generative AI program, and unless they opt out during the specified annual period, Udemy will be granted the right to use the submitted content. Udemy will distribute a portion of the revenue generated from the generated AI content to instructors, but the details of the distribution method are unclear.

Generative AI Policy for Instructors – Udemy
https://support.udemy.com/hc/ja/articles/25180159300631-Generative AI Policy for Instructors

Udemy had an 'opt-out period for the generative AI program (specified annual period)' from August 21, but the opt-out period ended on September 12. This means that instructors had only three weeks to opt out of having their content used to train generative AI.

Since the opt-out period has already ended, even if an instructor tries to opt out of participating in the generative AI program at the time of writing, they will only see a gray, unavailable option as shown below. In addition, new users who register as instructors with Udemy will be given an opt-out period, and other instructors will be given an opt-out period every year.

404 Media said, 'This unusual time-based opt-out period is understandably upsetting some instructors.' Katie Roots, who actually teaches at Udemy, wrote in a LinkedIn

post , 'I have never agreed to any policy changes with Udemy in the past five years. I was surprised to receive an email today about their new AI tool. When I tried to opt out in the settings, the option was grayed out and I found that I could only change the settings for a specific period of time that they supposedly notify users about. I'm sorry, but is this legal on Udemy?'

In response to 404 Media's inquiry, Roots said he had not been aware of the generative AI program until he received this email. 'I can't believe that intellectual property is being stolen without reasonable consent or notice. This should be illegal. On top of that, since the course is my content, I should be allowed to withdraw consent at any time,' Roots said, criticizing Udemy's policy of only allowing users to opt out within a certain period of time.

Hardy Fowler, who ran a Discord channel with over 10,000 users and offered digital artist courses on Udemy, has left Udemy entirely following the introduction of the generative AI program.

'Just to let you know, I have officially parted ways with Udemy. I never thought I'd say this,' Fowler wrote in a Discord post. 'Udemy has made a lot of bad changes over the past few years, but the final nail in the coffin was their new policy published last week, which states that instructor content will be used to train Udemy's generative AI, with the same kind of deliberately difficult opt-out tools found on many other platforms.'

There's been a lot of internet controversy in recent years about tech companies using user content to train generative AI, with most AI-developing platforms offering automatic opt-in settings like Udemy's, sparking backlash from creators.

However, 404 Media points out that Udemy's process is more transparent than other companies, and that the existence of an opt-out period is understandable given the time cost of deleting content from users who opt out of the AI model.

'At Udemy, we believe instructors should have full control over their content, including deciding whether or not to include it in our generative AI models,' Scott Rogers, Udemy's vice president of instructor and content strategy, said in an email to 404 Media. 'We work transparently with our instructors to protect their rights in their content so they can continue to grow with our business in the way that best suits them.'