I’m flabbergasted—and that doesn’t happen often.

Meta recently announced that all images AND texts on Instagram and Facebook are now free game for AI training purposes.

WHAT. THE. HELL.

Mark Zuckerberg flouts copyright rules and lays claim to what artists have spent years creating: their life’s work. The issue is: artists don’t have a choice in whether they want to participate or not. And that’s called theft. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

Many artists are fed up with Meta and are flocking like moths to a new light, known as Cara.

I’ve pondered this, done some research, and here’s what I found.

Before you read on: I’m a moralist, not a lawyer. I don’t have all the answers. I’m not against AI, but there are crossed lines here. Always do your own research, don’t take my word for it, and make your own informed decisions.

Let’s dive in

1. First off, if you’re in Europe, you have the option to prevent your work from being used to train artificial intelligence. Whether this is foolproof remains to be seen. But it’s something. Sadly, this doesn’t apply to Americans (as far as I’m aware), which really sucks. You’ll find opt-out links below.

2. Now, let’s tackle the ethical quagmire: If Meta can do this, what even is copyright anymore? Will any Tom, Dick, or Harry soon have the right to snatch up their neighbor’s creative output? Who decides the boundaries? This shouldn’t be the status quo. Meta needs to act like a responsible leader, not a ruthless emperor.

3. For now, I’m sticking with my Instagram because I cherish my community. However, I am deleting my posts; nobody scrolls that far back anyway. I’ve also joined Cara, a new platform created by Singapore-based photographer Zhang Jingna. It’s exploded quickly and it’s yet to be seen if they can keep up. Cara is a sleek, artist-exclusive platform where videos, music, and AI content are forbidden. However, I find some of the artwork unappealing and miss other types of content. Moreover, who’s looking forward to adding yet another time-consuming responsibility to their plate?
   Tip: buy Cara a coffee to support them!

4. Don’t just flee from the upheaval here. I get the fear; will artists still have jobs in two years? Will Zuckerberg take over the art world? It’s a valid concern. My take? We will have jobs in two years, but the market might tighten, separating the wheat from the chaff. So here’s my advice: embrace your unique voice. Now more than ever, it’s crucial. Hit that opt-out button, make your voice felt. Better yet, reach out directly to potential clients. Independence from platforms like Instagram could be your best move. Be bold, energize your spirit, and create like a hero.

On a side note about AI: I'm not its adversary. I use it as a tool and a creative playground. Although: out of respect for the artist community, I will cease posting on that account until Meta respects artists' rights. Some AI artists are crafting incredible things, which is great—as long as they transparently disclose that their creations are AI-assisted. It’s crucial that viewers and potential buyers understand what they're engaging with. AI represents a new medium, not a replacement.

About collage art: It (also) involves reusing existing images. What’s permissible is clear-cut by law, which helps keep things straightforward.

Opting-out

Meta uses your photos, posts, and captions on Instagram and Facebook to train its AI models. It’s an opt-in setting by default, meaning that all content you post, be it on private or public accounts, is fodder for Meta’s AI.

For Europeans and UK residents: You can opt out directly at Meta using this form (ensure you’re logged in first): Instagram Opt-Out Form. Instagram will ask for your email, country, and reasons for opting out. Just state plainly that you don’t want to participate, declare your status as an artist (whether you’re a photographer, painter, writer, or whatever), and assert your copyright over your work.

For artists outside Europe: Unfortunately, the options are limited due to different rights and regulations, but you can read more about what little you can do against Meta here: How to Stop Meta.

Another useful resource: Opting Out Guide.

• Create your Cara account here.

• Follow me on Cara here.

Marenthe,
Supporting artists globally

Want to let your authentic voice pirouette across the page?

Say hello to Art Journal Hero!

For all you creatives and artists itching to jazz up your art journaling skills, this 2-week, deep dive email adventure will give your creative brain the space, inspiration, and juice it’s been screaming for.

It’s 100% FREE!

In just 14 days, your inner artist is gonna wake up feeling like it just had the best spa day. Ever.