LinkedIn: the social network uses user data to train its AI models

The social network for work LinkedIn dives into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), informing users that their data will now be used to train its models. At the moment, this setting is not enabled in Europe and Switzerland. Not only that, the social network for professionals has emphasized that users can set their refusal for the use of their data for AI. 

LinkedIn: the social network for professionals updates its license agreement to introduce AI 

LinkedIn, the well-known social network for professionals owned by Microsoft, announced that it has updated its License Agreement, adding some text.

In practice, it seems that the company is preparing everything to be able to use its artificial intelligence models (AI) to generate content (“generative AI”).

In fact, LinkedIn has notified its users that their data will be used as a basis to train its AI models, starting from November 20, 2024. 

At the same time, the social network states that this option is not enabled for users in the European Economic Area and Switzerland, at least until further notice. 

Not only, for those who do not agree with the new LinkedIn license agreement updates, they will be able to access the dedicated setting and select their “refusal”. In this way, the option to use the data of these users to train LinkedIn’s AI models will be deactivated. 

The opt-out option is very simple and can be performed from your mobile and desktop devices. Just go to Settings, click on “Data Privacy” and select “Data for the improvement of generative artificial intelligence”. From there, disable the feature.

LinkedIn: the social network introduces AI and Microsoft supports it with a 30 billion dollar fund 

This LinkedIn news comes after its owner Microsoft announced its intention to launch a fund dedicated to AI, together with BlackRock.

In fact, just in these days, Microsoft has revealed its intention to equip this fund with a substantial 30 billion dollars, with the goal of financing the construction of data centers and energy projects. 

On the other hand, the love for Microsoft’s AI is not new since it is one of the main protagonists of this emerging sector, especially after its investment in OpenAI last year. 

Not only that, this year, Microsoft launched its AI-based products, such as DALL-E for image generation and Sora for video generation. 

The involvement of BlackRock in this fund is almost implied. The largest asset manager in the world is also the second largest shareholder of Microsoft. And indeed, BlackRock holds 5.7% of MSFT shares. 

In any case, the 30 billion dollar fund by BlackRock and Microsoft will have the purpose of investing in the creation of infrastructure to support the development of the AI sector. 

The two new centers in Abu Dhabi

In this week, then, Microsoft has made headlines also for having opened two new AI centers in Abu Dhabi, as part of its expansion strategy in the sector. 

These two centers will focus on the development of ethical standards and on socially relevant projects. 

The two centers also have support from the Abu Dhabi Council for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies (AIATC).