itch.io Requires Creators to Disclose AI-Generated Content
Amid ongoing discussions about the role of AI in tabletop gaming, itch.io has made a significant announcement. The online marketplace will now mandate that all creators disclose whether their projects contain AI-generated content. While this policy does not outright ban AI-generated content, it aims to provide transparency for fans who may wish to avoid such projects due to concerns about the controversial and environmentally damaging technology.
Classification Requirement
According to Leaf Corcoran, the founder and CEO of itch.io, all creators on the platform must classify the content they have uploaded. Projects that incorporate AI-generated art will be clearly labeled as such, while those that are entirely human-made can receive a “no-ai” tag.
- Creators will have a grace period to categorize their products
- A bulk tagging tool is available for publishers with numerous products
If AI-generated content is not properly tagged, it will no longer be eligible for indexing on itch.io’s browse pages. Corcoran also emphasized the consequences for misleading or omitting disclosure tags, noting that such creators may be removed from indexing on the discovery page.
Reason for Policy Implementation
On itch.io’s quality guidelines page, the company explained that the decision to enforce this policy stems from the legal uncertainties surrounding rights related to Generative AI content. Systems like ChatGPT, DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion are often trained on datasets of visual and text-based art without the original creators’ consent, leading to legal disputes and lawsuits.