Twitch AI training opt out: Amazon model setting is on by default

Twitch users looking for a Twitch AI training opt out now have a setting to find in their account controls. Reporting published August 12 said the Amazon-owned streaming service set permission to use channel material for generative-AI training on by default, putting the burden on creators and users to change it.

The policy matters to anyone who streams, uploads clips or participates in chat. It also gives Amazon a new potential pool of material for models that can generate or synthesize text, audio, images or video, according to Twitch’s FAQ as described by Aftermath and Kotaku.

Twitch’s official account-settings help page lists a “Training for Generative AI” control described as allowing channel content to train generative-AI content models at Amazon. The page says users can reach Settings by selecting their profile picture in the upper-right corner of Twitch.

How do I turn off Twitch AI training?

In Twitch Settings, open Security & Privacy, then look for Opt-out Preferences and the Training for Generative AI control. Twitch’s account-settings guide identifies the setting and says it concerns Amazon generative-AI content models.

According to Twitch’s FAQ as reported by Aftermath, turning the control off opts a creator’s channel content out of this generative-AI training program. The reports do not establish how Twitch handles material collected before a user changes the setting.

What content could Amazon use for AI training?

Aftermath and Kotaku reported that Twitch’s FAQ covers livestreams, archived videos known as VODs, clips, highlights, channel text and images, and chat. Twitch offered speech-to-text as an example: audio could help improve captioning models used at Twitch and elsewhere across Amazon, according to the FAQ quoted by Aftermath.

There is an important limit to the personal setting. Reporting on the FAQ says a person who opts out can still have chat messages considered for training when posting in another channel whose settings allow it. In practice, the channel owner’s choice can affect chat submitted by participants.

Does opting out turn off all AI on Twitch?

No, according to Twitch’s FAQ as reported by Aftermath. Opting out addresses training of generative-AI content models, rather than every AI or machine-learning function on the platform. The FAQ cited AutoMod, Twitch’s moderation tool, and automatically generated captions for clips as examples of functions that may still run.

The default-on approach drew criticism after Twitch discussed the change in a livestream. Kotaku reported that chief product officer Mike Minton said the setting would be on by default because “If it was opt-in, nobody would opt-in.” That remark was his stated rationale, not a measured account of user preferences.

For creators, the immediate decision is about where they want their channel material used. For people who mainly watch and chat, the cross-channel limitation means their own account choice may not fully determine whether a message becomes eligible under another creator’s setting.

This story draws on original reporting from Decrypt.