This is a very good summary of the situation from Liz @valueaddedresource
I don't have a problem with the existence of the imaging AI software (I've played with it myself in another app and found it agonisingly slow) nor its use by whomever wants to use it, but a good deal of trouble with eBay simply adding these things to our listings without notice or permission, particularly with the notoriously high level of error with AI. Their refusal to take any responsibility for any fallout from using this janky system of theirs is, alas, typical of bro-think ('Shut up, peasants, we know better, we are the tech overlords' - even though eBay is hardly a tech company). I think eBay can and should do better - plenty of sellers would be willing to experiment with this, given the tools, it's not necessary to be so opaque about it.
@valueaddedresource Liz - you have a great article about this in your most recent newsletter. I would link it but I want to make sure I have your permission.
Let’s look at the big picture, eBay only makes money when we do. They’ve spent 30 years refining the tools we use to meet buyer expectations. If they’re introducing/testing AI images to replace 'on the floor' pictures, it’s because they think those visuals convert better. They will probably interduce a way to optout as well.
In all fairness, eBay though buyers would love their (optional) AI generated item descriptions. Most buyers have said they really don't, and that they come off as very artificial and have way too much fluff.
Mandatory (or even automatic must-opt-out) AI generated images of items seem like an reselling accident waiting to happen, too much can go wrong. They already have optional AI backgrounds, which I find unnecessary and potentially problematic (often show fake items not included with the item being sold) but are at least optional.
@myblueturtle did u try to edit, then delete the photo? or, end the listing and re list w/o that AI photo.
perhaps ebay 'thinks' there's a better chance to sell fashion if it can be 'seen' on a person, even a fake person LOL
@stuff4divas I don't believe the seller can actually see the eBay AI generated image on their side when creating or editing the listing.
It's much like the videos eBay adds into listings with Authenticity Guarantee or Guaranteed Fit - basically just an extra image/video that eBay inserts all on their own in addition to whatever images and/or video the seller uploads.
The biggest issue I have with it is that the item image can be altered/skewed in the process of eBay AI generating the image, as shown in the Reddit thread I posted above - and we all know what eBay will say if the seller gets an INAD because of that.
I chose Revise and was unable to delete image. So, I ended listing. I am not ok with them manipulating my listing. I don’t like the idea that people will think I am using AI images when I’m not. Also, it was the opposite of enticing.
Thank you for replying. Gosh, I hope you are a real person. Lol.
I chose Revise and was unable to delete image. So, I ended listing. I am not ok with them manipulating my listing. I don’t like the idea that people will think I am using AI images when I’m not. Also, it was the opposite of enticing.
Thank you for replying. Gosh, I hope you are a real person. Lol.
@myblueturtle
ha ha, yes, i am a 'real' human, u can check my store to see i've been selling for about 15 yrs LOL
it seems to me that buyers could easily open ind cases based on an AI generated photo bc that item is not the 'actual' item being sold
i would add into my description box that photo #__ is NOT the actual item being sold, but an AI generated likeness photo to show an example of fit, detail, etc
Glad I don't sell in this category. There is enough AI slop on the internet already. Fingers crossed that forced AI doesn't make its way into board games somehow.
@kibble-net so far I've only seen it in fashion. That being said, it isn't the first time that eBay has inserted things into listings without sellers' knowledge or control and definitely won't be the last.
Unfortunately AI most likely will make it's way into all aspects of life sooner or later, online and off.
Sometimes for the good sometimes not. I wasn't even surprised when I read some police departments use it to write incident reports or that a woman was arrested and extradited to another state because AI decided she was who they were looking for (she wasn't).....................
Apparently there is a new AI out there that is capable of hacking any computer or cell phone, as well as other personal intrusion features. They are making it available to 5 major companies only (Apple, Google, etc) because it would too dangerous for the public to have access to.
I'm guessing it will available to everyone in about a month ...
Apparently there is a new AI out there that is capable of hacking any computer or cell phone, as well as other personal intrusion features. They are making it available to 5 major companies only (Apple, Google, etc) because it would too dangerous for the public to have access to.
Apparently there is a new AI out there that is capable of hacking any computer or cell phone, as well as other personal intrusion features. They are making it available to 5 major companies only (Apple, Google, etc) because it would too dangerous for the public to have access to.
Can you please post a link to that story?
@a_c_green it's Anthropic's Mythos model - here's one article about it but if you google that phrase, you'll find lots of recent coverage about it.
eBay appears to be quietly testing AI-generated fashion model images by adding them to seller listings without the seller's knowledge or approval, with at least one seller discovering an altered image in their listing that distorted sleeve details and changed the collar from their original photo.
Liz Morton of Value Added Resources notes that the test is the latest in a pattern of eBay inserting AI-generated content into listings without seller consent, including AI-generated FAQs in search results, AI description summaries shown on Facebook Marketplace, and AI item detail highlights added to listing pages, none of which sellers can opt out of.
@myblueturtle I've seen a few Reddit posts about this as well - it appears that eBay is testing adding images to some fashion listings showing the item on an AI generated model.
Unfortunately, from what I've seen it does not appear there is a way for you to turn it off as the seller. This seller had it on one of their listings and then later it was gone but they did not do anything to make that happen.
The best thing I can suggest is if you see it on your listing, click the question mark in the bottom right if you're on the desktop view or shake your phone when viewing in the app to submit feedback about it to eBay.
For anyone who hasn't seen it, here's what it looks like:
chapeau-noir
·3 months agoThis is a very good summary of the situation from Liz @valueaddedresource
I don't have a problem with the existence of the imaging AI software (I've played with it myself in another app and found it agonisingly slow) nor its use by whomever wants to use it, but a good deal of trouble with eBay simply adding these things to our listings without notice or permission, particularly with the notoriously high level of error with AI. Their refusal to take any responsibility for any fallout from using this janky system of theirs is, alas, typical of bro-think ('Shut up, peasants, we know better, we are the tech overlords' - even though eBay is hardly a tech company). I think eBay can and should do better - plenty of sellers would be willing to experiment with this, given the tools, it's not necessary to be so opaque about it.
chapeau-noir
·3 months ago@valueaddedresource Liz - you have a great article about this in your most recent newsletter. I would link it but I want to make sure I have your permission.
valueaddedresource
·3 months agoAppreciate it @chapeau-noir but you don't need to ask permission - you're welcome to share anything of mine any time. 🙂
chapeau-noir
·3 months agoAnything is better than those stupid flat-lays with all kinds of 'coordinating' rubbish with the item so you don't even known what's being sold.
nyr134
·3 months agoIf the garment is say, size XL, is the AI-generated image going to show it on an ideally-proportioned model, like we so often see on the internet?
If so, the sale will very likely be a candidate for “not as described.”
ten_o_nine
·3 months agoLet’s look at the big picture, eBay only makes money when we do. They’ve spent 30 years refining the tools we use to meet buyer expectations. If they’re introducing/testing AI images to replace 'on the floor' pictures, it’s because they think those visuals convert better. They will probably interduce a way to optout as well.
fm2000
·3 months agoIn all fairness, eBay though buyers would love their (optional) AI generated item descriptions. Most buyers have said they really don't, and that they come off as very artificial and have way too much fluff.
Mandatory (or even automatic must-opt-out) AI generated images of items seem like an reselling accident waiting to happen, too much can go wrong. They already have optional AI backgrounds, which I find unnecessary and potentially problematic (often show fake items not included with the item being sold) but are at least optional.
inhawaii
·3 months agoI'm having a hard time believing this.
Shouldn't we be able to see the deleted listings?
stuff4divas
·3 months ago@myblueturtle did u try to edit, then delete the photo? or, end the listing and re list w/o that AI photo.
perhaps ebay 'thinks' there's a better chance to sell fashion if it can be 'seen' on a person, even a fake person LOL
grann-4629
·3 months agoThat's what they do in the mall with their, ahem, 'dummies'.
valueaddedresource
·3 months ago@stuff4divas I don't believe the seller can actually see the eBay AI generated image on their side when creating or editing the listing.
It's much like the videos eBay adds into listings with Authenticity Guarantee or Guaranteed Fit - basically just an extra image/video that eBay inserts all on their own in addition to whatever images and/or video the seller uploads.
https://community.ebay.com/t5/Motors/Can-I-remove-turn-off-this-video-eBay-added-to-my-listings/m-p/33779843/highlight/true#M42706
The biggest issue I have with it is that the item image can be altered/skewed in the process of eBay AI generating the image, as shown in the Reddit thread I posted above - and we all know what eBay will say if the seller gets an INAD because of that.
myblueturtle
OP3 months agoOh, I could see it alright. It just did not respond to my attempts to select it, much less delete it.
valueaddedresource
·3 months ago@myblueturtle interesting, thanks for confirming that!
myblueturtle
OP3 months agoI chose Revise and was unable to delete image. So, I ended listing. I am not ok with them manipulating my listing. I don’t like the idea that people will think I am using AI images when I’m not. Also, it was the opposite of enticing.
Thank you for replying. Gosh, I hope you are a real person. Lol.
stuff4divas
·3 months ago@myblueturtle
ha ha, yes, i am a 'real' human, u can check my store to see i've been selling for about 15 yrs LOL
it seems to me that buyers could easily open ind cases based on an AI generated photo bc that item is not the 'actual' item being sold
i would add into my description box that photo #__ is NOT the actual item being sold, but an AI generated likeness photo to show an example of fit, detail, etc
myblueturtle
OP3 months agoThank goodness!
I will be adding a note to all listing going forward. The two currently unlisted are good examples of B how to use AI to mislead/repel buyers.
biggymoe
·3 months agoThis is totally asinine. Why would they do this without the seller's knowledge and approval? Another improvement?
kibble-net
·3 months agoGlad I don't sell in this category. There is enough AI slop on the internet already. Fingers crossed that forced AI doesn't make its way into board games somehow.
valueaddedresource
·3 months ago@kibble-net so far I've only seen it in fashion. That being said, it isn't the first time that eBay has inserted things into listings without sellers' knowledge or control and definitely won't be the last.
roccotacodad54
·3 months agoUnfortunately AI most likely will make it's way into all aspects of life sooner or later, online and off.
Sometimes for the good sometimes not. I wasn't even surprised when I read some police departments use it to write incident reports or that a woman was arrested and extradited to another state because AI decided she was who they were looking for (she wasn't).....................
antipathy
·3 months ago"Unfortunately AI most likely will make it's way into all aspects of life sooner or later, online and off. "
Not if we say no.
If we all pulled our listings they would change their policy IMMEDIATELY.
grann-4629
·3 months agoApparently there is a new AI out there that is capable of hacking any computer or cell phone, as well as other personal intrusion features. They are making it available to 5 major companies only (Apple, Google, etc) because it would too dangerous for the public to have access to.
I'm guessing it will available to everyone in about a month ...
a_c_green
·3 months agoCan you please post a link to that story?
valueaddedresource
·3 months ago@a_c_green it's Anthropic's Mythos model - here's one article about it but if you google that phrase, you'll find lots of recent coverage about it.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-mythos-and-why-are-experts-worried-about-anthropics-ai-model/
caldreamer
·3 months agoeBay appears to be quietly testing AI-generated fashion model images by adding them to seller listings without the seller's knowledge or approval, with at least one seller discovering an altered image in their listing that distorted sleeve details and changed the collar from their original photo.
Liz Morton of Value Added Resources notes that the test is the latest in a pattern of eBay inserting AI-generated content into listings without seller consent, including AI-generated FAQs in search results, AI description summaries shown on Facebook Marketplace, and AI item detail highlights added to listing pages, none of which sellers can opt out of.
valueaddedresource
·3 months ago@myblueturtle I've seen a few Reddit posts about this as well - it appears that eBay is testing adding images to some fashion listings showing the item on an AI generated model.
Unfortunately, from what I've seen it does not appear there is a way for you to turn it off as the seller. This seller had it on one of their listings and then later it was gone but they did not do anything to make that happen.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Ebay/comments/1skw1i0/ebay_adding_ai_photos_without_permission/
The best thing I can suggest is if you see it on your listing, click the question mark in the bottom right if you're on the desktop view or shake your phone when viewing in the app to submit feedback about it to eBay.
For anyone who hasn't seen it, here's what it looks like:
dhbookds
·3 months agoWhich listing?
myblueturtle
OP3 months agoI deleted them. Both were for tops. Very different from one another.