Edit: PLEASE READ THE WHOLE THING I've seen some people act like Scratch is GOING to 100% use our artwork for AI image generation but that is NOT the case. They are creating some sort of AI assistant (which I talked about later in the description). Apparently, generative AI is on the list of rejected suggestions due to ethical concerns. I felt like I should clarify this (despite the fact that I talk about it later). However, the TOS still states that any user content is able to be used for training their AI models which I am still personally against. ALSO the DTA is NOT scrapped anymore,,,,,,,https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1279441777/ well, this wasn't what I expected to see when I logged in after school today (press space or click) Pretty sure some of you have already heard about this (if not, go here first https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1269751874/ ) To preface, I will not be taking anything down or deleting my account or anything like that (I like leaving most of my art up as I think that maybe SOMEONE out there still enjoys my old art). However, I am disappointed that the website is allowing anything we post to the website ("user content" which includes images I.E. artwork) to be used for AI model training. I am even more disappointed to find that there is no "opt-out" feature and that the license is "irrevocable", so even I took down my artwork, Scratch would be able to use it train AI. I find it pretty scummy, especially since a good majority of Scratch users are children (minors). I think this is some extension of the Creative Commons license that is placed on all Scratch projects and content within; however, the fact that it blatantly states that our creations can be used for their AI models concerns me. It seems like the AI assistant that they are thinking of implementing will be text-based and opt-in. Therefore, it wouldn't use artwork to generate anything, and you wouldn't have to use it, but posting here still gives Scratch permission to use our artwork for AI generation which I am against. Also, I believe that this assistant is useless. Scratch already has tutorials and the new "debugging" feature to help children learn how to code. In addition, users already make tutorials for others to teach them how to code, anyway. Due to this new update to the TOS, I am not sure what I will be doing here in the future. I was going to try to finish up that 1k DTA, OTA, Art & Design raffle. It's been taking a long time because, if I'm going to be honest, my motivation for that is almost dead. When I state I'll do something, though, then I will see to its completion even if I don't really want to do it anymore. I also wanted to give back to the Scratch art community as I finally hit 1,000+ followers back in August. Now, I am not sure what I am going to do about that project. I already have three DTA characters designed (and was going to make a fourth). I was going to make four OTA characters along with several on base raffle designs, but now, I don't know if I will be hosting this event at all, unfortunately. I am also unsure about what to do with the designs I've already made (and uploaded). I could host it offsite somewhere, but it was made to be a celebration on Scratch. I think I will be taking a hiatus from posting and semi-leaving Scratch for now. It's been really fun! I've had a great time, honestly. I love interacting with all of you. Scratch is where I've met basically almost all of my online friends at, and I like this platform a lot (it's like, the only place I can dump 60+ pieces of art in a single post with music)! I was already going to announce that I was branching out, semi-leaving, and moving to other platforms with that 1k project. I am an adult (18) and feel as if I'm outgrowing this place. I'll be treating Scratch like how I treat DA: posting my art very rarely (if at all). I will still be here to talk to, so I'm not going radio silent immediately. You can easily find me on other platforms, but they are all 13+ and I post 13+ content there. I will also be on ArtFight this year and have an account (Dozora). I'm not sure what else to say. I'm just disappointed and dissatisfied with this situation, like I am with everything else happening in the world. I might edit this later.
Link to the Medium article: https://medium.com/scratchteam-blog/coming-soon-your-creative-learning-assistant-7a28d184182c Link to a Scratch Team member stating that AI image generation is on the list of rejected suggestions: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/774167/?page=2#post-8078494 Tutorial on how you can contact Scratch Team and send feedback: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1271272339/