Determining which AI tools use data from free-tier users to train their AI learning models can be challenging, as many companies do not explicitly disclose this in their terms of service or privacy policies unless required by law or pressed for transparency. However, based on common practices in the AI industry and available information, I can provide insights into some popular free AI tools and whether they are likely to use non-paying users’ data for training purposes. Note that this is based on general trends, public statements, and privacy policy analyses up to March 16, 2025—companies may change their practices, so it’s always best to check their current terms of service or privacy policy for definitive answers.
Common Trends in Free AI Tools
- Freemium Models: Many AI tools offer free tiers to attract users, often subsidizing these by using input data to improve their models. This is especially common with generative AI tools (e.g., chatbots, image generators) where more data enhances performance.
- Opt-Out vs. Opt-In: Some tools use data by default unless users opt out, while others require explicit consent. Free-tier users often have less control compared to paid subscribers.
- Privacy Policies: Look for phrases like “improve our services,” “train our models,” or “machine learning purposes” in policies—these often indicate data usage for AI training.
Below is a list of notable AI tools with free versions, along with an assessment of whether they likely use free-tier data for AI learning models, based on available information:
AI Tools and Data Usage for Training
- ChatGPT (OpenAI)
- Free Tier: Yes, offers a free version using GPT-4o mini (with limits).
- Data Usage: OpenAI has stated that it uses data from users to improve its models unless users opt out (available for paid users and some regions via settings). For free users, prior to mid-2023, data was used for training by default. As of updates in 2023 and 2024, OpenAI claims it no longer uses free-tier conversational data for training unless explicitly allowed, but this applies to newer interactions (post-policy changes). Historical data from free users may still have been used.
- Verdict: Likely used free-tier data historically; current usage is less clear but possible unless opted out (limited for free users).
- Google Bard / Gemini
- Free Tier: Fully free (now part of the Gemini family as of 2025).
- Data Usage: Google’s privacy policy indicates that data from its services (including AI tools) may be used to “improve products and services,” which often includes AI training. Free users’ interactions with Gemini are likely analyzed and potentially used to refine models, though Google anonymizes data per its policies.
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for AI learning models, anonymized per Google’s practices.
- Microsoft Bing AI (Copilot)
- Free Tier: Free with GPT-4 capabilities via Edge/Bing.
- Data Usage: Powered by OpenAI’s tech but under Microsoft’s policies, data from Bing AI interactions may be used to “enhance services,” including AI training. Microsoft has emphasized responsible AI use, but free-tier data is typically fair game for improvement purposes unless restricted by regional laws (e.g., GDPR).
- Verdict: Yes, likely uses free-tier data for training, subject to anonymization.
- Copy.ai
- Free Tier: Offers a limited free plan for content generation.
- Data Usage: Copy.ai’s privacy policy states that it may use user inputs and generated outputs to “improve our services and algorithms.” Free-tier users’ data is likely included in this, as there’s no explicit opt-out for non-paying users (paid tiers may offer more privacy controls).
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for AI learning models.
- Canva AI (Magic Design, Text-to-Image)
- Free Tier: Free tier includes some AI features.
- Data Usage: Canva’s privacy policy allows it to use user content to “improve our services,” which may include AI training. Free users’ uploads and interactions with AI tools (e.g., Magic Design) are likely used to refine models, though Canva doesn’t explicitly detail this for free vs. paid tiers.
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for training.
- DALL-E 2 (via Free Platforms like Hugging Face)
- Free Tier: Limited free access via demos or third-party integrations (e.g., Hugging Face).
- Data Usage: OpenAI’s DALL-E policies historically allowed input data to improve models. Free-tier usage through third-party platforms depends on the host’s policy (e.g., Hugging Face may not use data itself but shares it with OpenAI under terms). OpenAI has shifted toward not using free-tier data directly post-2023, but third-party implementations may differ.
- Verdict: Possible, depending on the platform; historically yes via OpenAI.
- Leonardo.AI
- Free Tier: 150 tokens/day for image generation.
- Data Usage: Leonardo.AI’s terms suggest that user inputs and generated outputs may be used to “enhance the platform,” implying AI training. Free users have no explicit opt-out, unlike some paid plans that might offer privacy perks.
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for AI learning models.
- Lumen5
- Free Tier: Free plan for basic video creation.
- Data Usage: Lumen5’s privacy policy allows usage of data to “improve services,” which likely includes AI training for its video generation algorithms. Free-tier inputs (e.g., text or links) are probably included.
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for training.
- Otter.ai
- Free Tier: Up to 300 minutes/month of transcription.
- Data Usage: Otter’s policy states that it may use audio and transcript data to “improve our technology,” including AI models. Free users’ data is likely included unless opted out (opt-out may not be available for free tier).
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for AI learning models.
- QuillBot
- Free Tier: Limited to 125 words for paraphrasing.
- Data Usage: QuillBot’s privacy policy indicates that user inputs may be used to “enhance our services,” suggesting AI training. Free users’ data is likely included, as there’s no clear opt-out for non-paying accounts.
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for training.
- JADBio
- Free Tier: Lifetime free account with basic features.
- Data Usage: JADBio’s terms allow data usage for “service improvement,” which may include AI training. Free-tier users’ uploaded data (e.g., for predictive modeling) is likely used unless specified otherwise.
- Verdict: Yes, free-tier data is likely used for AI learning models.
- Hugging Face (Open-Source Models)
- Free Tier: Free access to many models/tools.
- Data Usage: Hugging Face itself doesn’t train models with user data from its platform (it hosts pre-trained models), but if you use a model from a provider like OpenAI or Stability AI via Hugging Face, their data policies apply. Hugging Face’s focus is on hosting, not training, so it’s less likely to use free-tier data directly.
- Verdict: No, unless the specific model’s provider (e.g., OpenAI) uses it.
Exceptions: Tools Unlikely to Use Free-Tier Data
- Open-Source Tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch): These are frameworks, not services. Data usage depends on the user’s deployment, not the tool itself. No subscription = no centralized data collection.
- NotebookLM (Google): Free during testing; Google claims it doesn’t use uploaded data for training during this phase, though this could change post-preview.
- Paid-Only Models with Free Trials (e.g., Midjourney): Data usage applies during trials, but these aren’t true free tiers.
How to Confirm for Any Tool
To be certain whether a specific AI tool uses free-tier data for training:
- Check the Privacy Policy: Look for sections on “data usage,” “model training,” or “service improvement.”
- Look for Opt-Out Options: If only paid users can opt out, free-tier data is likely used.
- Contact Support: Ask directly if free-tier inputs are used for AI learning models.
Conclusion
Most free-tier AI tools—especially cloud-based ones like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Copy.ai, Leonardo.AI, and others—likely use non-paying users’ data to train their models unless explicitly stated otherwise or restricted by law (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Tools from large tech companies (Google, Microsoft) and generative AI platforms often follow this pattern, anonymizing data to comply with regulations. Open-source frameworks and some niche tools (e.g., Hugging Face as a host) are exceptions. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, review each tool’s current privacy policy or terms of service as of March 16, 2025, or beyond.
