LinkedIn’s AI Training: What You Need to Know!

BY NOLWAZI VEZI
Sep 23, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Sep 27, 2024

LinkedIn has quietly introduced a new feature where users’ data—like posts, articles, and profiles—are being automatically fed into AI training models. These models power the platform's AI but are also used by LinkedIn's parent company, Microsoft, as well as OpenAI and other unnamed third-party affiliates. This development brings up key questions about privacy, consent, and how users’ information is being shared without them explicitly opting in.

LinkedIn is leveraging user-generated content to train artificial intelligence systems. These systems are designed to improve various tools on the platform, such as job matching, content suggestions, and more. For example, AI-driven recommendations for job postings and connection suggestions could become more accurate. However, the models aren’t just being used internally—LinkedIn is also sharing your data with external partners, raising concerns about who has access to your personal and professional information.

For South Africans who use LinkedIn to network or search for job opportunities, this shift feels particularly significant in light of local data privacy laws like the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Under POPIA, companies must gain user consent before using their personal data, especially when it comes to sensitive information.

While LinkedIn claims that the automatic opt-in to AI training benefits users by improving platform functionality, the lack of transparency around which affiliates have access to this data is worrying. The platform hasn't disclosed specific details about the external parties receiving your information, which could potentially involve entities outside of South Africa with different data protection standards.

For people who are navigating an increasingly digital workplace, there are valid concerns about how this data might be used. Could it be sold, analysed for targeted advertising, or employed in ways that could affect your professional standing? These are critical questions to consider, especially given how AI models rely heavily on large datasets to improve their functionality.

How to Opt Out of LinkedIn’s AI Training

Fortunately, LinkedIn offers an option to opt out if you're uncomfortable with how your data is being used. If you’re based in South Africa and want to ensure that your content isn’t used to train LinkedIn’s AI models or shared with external parties, follow these steps:

Go to LinkedIn Settings: Navigate to your account settings by clicking on your profile picture and selecting "Settings & Privacy."
Access Data Privacy: Once in settings, find the “Data Privacy” section.
Disable AI Training: Under “Data for Generative AI Improvement,” toggle the switch to “Off.”

By doing this, you can stop LinkedIn from using your posts, profile, and other data to train its AI systems for internal and external use.

If you want to go a step further and ensure your data isn't shared with affiliates, LinkedIn requires you to fill out a Data Processing Objection Form. This form, available through LinkedIn’s Help Centre, allows you to formally object to the processing and sharing of your data, offering more robust protection against unwanted data usage.

AI technology is reshaping industries globally, while there are clear benefits to AI, such as making professional networking more efficient or offering more tailored job recommendations, there are trade-offs, particularly regarding privacy. The fact that LinkedIn has automatically enrolled its users in this data-sharing program highlights the need for more transparency from tech companies about how user data is being collected and used.

It’s important to stay informed and make deliberate decisions about what you’re comfortable sharing. As AI continues to evolve, so will the way companies use personal data to improve their services. Taking control of your data now could prevent more intrusive uses in the future.

In a world where personal and professional data are key assets, protecting your privacy is essential. While LinkedIn’s AI-powered features may offer valuable insights and tools, the automatic opt-in to AI training has sparked debates around consent and transparency. For South Africans navigating the evolving digital landscape, knowing how to opt out and take control of your data can offer peace of mind as you continue to engage with LinkedIn and other platforms.