Exclusive: Canva co-founder Cameron Adams on how company protects user data in the age of AI generated content 

Exclusive: Canva co-founder Cameron Adams on how company protects user data in the age of AI generated content 
HIGHLIGHTS

Canva does not train AI models on user data unless users opt-in for rewards.

A $200 million AI creators fund has been set up to pay contributors over three years.

Canva Enterprise users are protected from copyright disputes on AI-generated content.

Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly taking over image and video generation, as it has made content creation more accessible. The AI tools now enable users to edit or generate visuals based on prompts, making it easier to complete daily tasks. However, these advancements coincide with growing concerns about privacy and copyright infringement. Additionally, the AI’s role in handling user data has sparked heated debates multiple times in the past. 

In this changing landscape, where does Canva stand? With its expanding suite of AI-powered tools, how does Canva protect user privacy while leveraging AI for creative innovation?

In a conversation with Digit, Canva Co-founder and Chief Product Officer Cameron Adams explained in three steps how the company ensures user safety and copyright-free content. 

First, Canva does not use any user data for training its AI model and the users have full control of their data. However, the users do have a choice to let Canva take their content for AI training purposes. “We ensure that every Canva user has full control over their data. By default, user content is not used to train any AI models. However, those who wish to participate in our beta program can opt-in—but it’s an active choice they have to enable,” Adams stated.

If the users opt-in for the AI training programme, they can get rewards from it. “Users have the option to share their creations for AI training and receive rewards in return. We introduced a Creators Fund around 1.5 years ago, allowing those who opt-in to have their content contribute to AI model training while earning royalties for their contributions.”

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He also stated that the company has assigned $200 million to the AI creators fund which will be paid over three years. “I think we are among a few companies that offer revenue streams like this,” he added.

Speaking of the copyright issues, Cameron stated that the companies who have opted for Canva Enterprises are indemnified from any copyright dispute. “The third point I’ll highlight is that Canva Enterprise subscribers are fully indemnified for any AI-generated content they create through Canva. Whether it’s an image or text, they can have complete confidence that they won’t face any costs related to copyright issues or potential legal concerns in the future.”

Are there any new free AI tools launching soon?

Canva currently has 220 million monthly active users, but only 24 million are paid subscribers, so more than 75% of its users rely on free access. When asked about the possibility of new AI features for free users, Chandrika Deb, India Head at Canva, replied, “Not as of now, as we are strategising on what features we will be launching. We do offer some free credits to users, and if they find them beneficial, they can choose to subscribe.”

She also stated that video editing represents a significant opportunity for Canva, especially since India is one of the platform’s top three markets for video creation. “We are actively working on improving our video editing tools and introducing AI-powered enhancements to elevate the user experience,” Deb stated.

Ashish Singh

Ashish Singh

Ashish Singh is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit. Previously, he worked as a Senior Sub-Editor with Jagran English from 2022, and has been a journalist since 2020, with experience at Times Internet. Ashish specializes in Technology. In his free time, you can find him exploring new gadgets, gaming, and discovering new places. View Full Profile

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