Meta has introduced a new opt-in AI feature for Facebook users in the US and Canada, aimed at enhancing the shareability of photos and videos. This feature specifically targets the user’s camera roll, rather than media that has already been uploaded to the platform. When users opt in, the AI will analyze unpublished photos stored on their devices and upload them to Meta’s cloud to identify “hidden gems” among a collection of various personal images. Users can then choose to save or share the edited suggestions and collages generated by the AI.
Earlier this year, Meta conducted tests concerning the analysis of unpublished photos, stating at that time that these private images would not be used to train their AI systems, though they did not rule out future possibilities. With the release of this new feature, the company’s current position appears to indicate that user consent is a prerequisite for the use of photos in AI training. According to Meta’s announcement, media from the camera roll will not aid AI improvements unless users specifically engage with the AI tools by editing or sharing the suggested content.
A Meta spokesperson clarified that uploaded media could be viewed by the AI to generate suggestions, but would not be used for AI training unless users take further action. This feature will continually select and upload media from users’ camera rolls, though past communications from the company suggested that some data might be retained beyond 30 days. Meta asserts that this data will not be applied for advertising purposes.
Facebook’s blog post indicates that users will be prompted to allow cloud processing for creative suggestions. It remains unclear whether this prompt will explicitly mention the potential for training Meta’s AI on the uploaded photos. The rollout of this feature is expected to occur in the coming months, aiming at assisting users seeking to improve their images before sharing.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/802102/meta-facebook-opt-in-ai-edits-photos-camera-roll