Stack Overflow users rebel against OpenAI LLM training deal
A deal that allows OpenAI to train its AI models using the answers and knowledge Stack Overflow users resulted in protests by software developers and others. One user, Ben Ui, a software developer, chose to protest by overwriting his previous posts with complaints about the deal . This action resulted in a week-long suspension and his posts were reverted . Other users have reported similar experiences . Users are upset that their data is being used without explicit permission . They argue that they should have the right to delete their own content from the site through the “right to forget,” a legal right codified into law through the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) . However, Stack Overflow’s Terms of Service state that all content provided to the site is irrevocably owned by Stack Overflow . Despite the protests, Stack Overflow’s terms-of-use don’t appear to give users much wiggle room, as it seems the data can be used for AI training . The situation led to a significant amount of controversy within the Stack Overflow community . System 🤖 ChatGPT Documents 📃 Stack Overflow and OpenAI Partner to Strengthen the World’s Most Popular Large Language Models Operator: Stack Overflow Developer: OpenAI Country: Global Sector: Technology Purpose: Train large language models Technology: Large language models Issue: Human/ci v il rights; Tr ansparency
- Date it happened
- 2024-05-01
- Organisation involved
- Stack Overflow
- Product, system or model
- ChatGPT
This incident was imported from AIAAIC and is used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Our additions to it — the structured fields, the translation, the checks against other reports — are published under the same licence.
This is a record of what was reported, not a finding that anyone broke the law. If it names your organisation and you believe it is wrong, the corrections process is free and open to everyone.