Etsy Updates Policies to Include AI Art and Adds New Tags to Clarify Human Roles - 1

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Etsy Updates Policies to Include AI Art and Adds New Tags to Clarify Human Roles

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Etsy updated its seller policies on Tuesday adding new tags and allowing entrepreneurs to sell AI art but not prompts. The American e-commerce, known for its handmade and human artwork items, redesigned its house rules and published a new document called Etsy’s Creativity Standards.

“After carefully considering the complex issues surrounding AI-generated content, we have decided to continue to allow sellers to use their original prompts in combination with AI tools to create the artwork they sell on Etsy,” shared the company on its official stance on AI creations. “We believe this decision aligns with our values of supporting artists through the evolution of art.”

In the new creativity standards, the company introduced four new labels that every product must include: “Made by a seller”, “Designed by a seller”, “Sourced by a seller”, and “Handpicked by a seller.”

For the category “Designed by a seller” Etsy clarified that sellers can include AI artwork they created using prompts. “Creations that were generated using AI tools (e.g. AI image generators such as Dall-E) based on a seller’s original prompts,” defines the document. “Sellers must disclose within their listing description if an item is created with the use of AI.”

However, Etsy forbids users to sell AI prompt bundles. “We believe that the prompts used to generate AI artwork are an integral part of the creative process and should not be sold separately from the final artwork,” Etsy staff explained.

Etsy also highlighted that users must follow the rules regarding sexual content and nudity and that it is forbidden to sell content that can infringe on the rights or privacy of others.

Even though it is allowing sellers to publish AI-generated content, Etsy considers its approach pro-human and is part of its new campaign. The company promised to stay tuned on new AI updates, understanding people’s concerns about AI taking over human art , and providing unique solutions in the market.

Microsoft Raises Xbox Game Pass Prices and Launches New Standard Tier - 2

Microsoft Raises Xbox Game Pass Prices and Launches New Standard Tier

  • Written by Shipra Sanganeria Cybersecurity & Tech Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Microsoft announced this week that it is raising prices and restructuring its Xbox Game Pass subscription services. The basic console tier is also being replaced with a new Game Pass Standard tier, which will not include day-one releases.

Microsoft’s global price hikes for Game Pass services predominantly impact subscription tiers that provide access to day-one releases. For example, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will rise by $3, jumping from $16.99 to $19.99 per month. Similarly, PC Game Pass, which includes day-one releases, will see a $2 increase from $9.99 to $11.99 per month.

According to the BBC , the increase in Game Pass prices was anticipated, particularly following the Xbox maker’s announcement in May 2024 to include Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 in its Game service. Previously in 2023, Microsoft raised the cost of the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for the first time since its launch, citing competitive market conditions, as reported by The Verge .

In addition to the price hike, Microsoft’s new Xbox Game Pass Standard option, priced at $14.99 per month will not include day-one titles published by Microsoft like the Great Circle and Black Ops 6. However, it will include an online multiplayer option, which is not part of the existing Xbox Game Pass Console subscription.

New Xbox Game Pass Pricing and Structure

  • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – will now cost $19.99 per month. This tier includes day-one releases, access to full games catalog on cloud, PC, and console, online multiplayer, and EA Play.
  • Xbox Game Pass Standard – The newly launched tier, priced at $14.99 per month, includes online multiplayer and access to a back catalog of Xbox Game Pass games, but does not provide access to day-one releases.
  • Xbox Game Pass Core – The price remains unchanged at $9.99 per month, but the 12-month subscription has increased from $59.99 to $74.99. It includes online multiplayer and access to around 25 games.
  • Xbox Game Pass for Console – Existing subscribers pay $10.99 per month, but this plan is not available to new subscribers. However, if an existing subscriber turns off automatic payments or allows their membership to lapse, they’ll lose access and will have to subscribe to other available plans. This tier includes online multiplayer and access to over 25 games.
  • PC Game Pass – will now cost $11.99 per month. It includes EA Play, access to the games library on PC, and day-one releases.