Creative Commons Introduces CC Signals to Guide AI Use of Creative Works

Creative Commons Develops CC Signals to Guide AI Use of Images

Creative Commons is working on a new system called CC Signals that allows creators to specify how their works can be used in AI training datasets. Inspired by existing Creative Commons licenses, these signals give artists a way to indicate the terms under which AI can learn from their images and other creative content.

Currently, many creators share work under Creative Commons licenses with different levels of permissions, such as requiring attribution or restricting commercial use. CC Signals extend this idea to AI usage, letting creators flag how AI models may incorporate their work during training.

What Are the Proposed CC Signals?

The Creative Commons team has outlined four key signals that can be combined to create clear usage guidelines for AI:

• Credit: AI training is allowed if proper credit is given to the creator.
• Direct Contribution: AI training is permitted if the AI’s development includes a contribution to the creator, whether monetary or in-kind.
• Ecosystem Contribution: The AI can use the work if it supports the Creative Commons ecosystem in some way.
• Open: Usage is allowed only if the AI model is open source or meets openness standards like the Model Openness Framework.

Creators will be able to select from these signals, typically choosing Credit alone or combined with one of the other three options. This approach gives flexibility while maintaining clear expectations for AI use.

Why CC Signals Matter for Creators

Many artists have concerns about how AI uses publicly available content. Some stop sharing their work online or block web crawlers to prevent their work from being included in AI training. CC Signals aim to provide a middle ground by enabling creators to set ethical boundaries without fully restricting AI access.

Creative Commons emphasizes that reciprocity is essential. The commons thrive when AI usage respects the creators and contributes back, rather than simply extracting value. Without this balance, the community risks losing valuable shared resources.

Ethical and Practical Considerations

CC Signals are intended as an ethical framework rather than a strict legal tool. Creative Commons points out that some AI training uses may not require explicit consent under current laws, but that doesn't mean creators shouldn’t have a say in how their work is used.

The organization highlights that expanding copyright restrictions isn’t the solution. Instead, CC Signals promote a system where ideas, facts, and creative building blocks remain accessible, while encouraging responsible AI training practices.

Looking Ahead: Development and Feedback

CC Signals are still in development, with a planned launch in November 2025. By sharing the concept now, Creative Commons is inviting public input to refine the system. The signals are designed to be machine-readable for tools like web crawlers and globally applicable.

If you’re a creator interested in shaping how AI interacts with your work, consider reviewing the proposal and sharing your thoughts on GitHub.

For creatives exploring AI tools and training, understanding these emerging standards is key. To deepen your skills on AI technologies and ethical AI use, check out Complete AI Training’s latest courses.