Creative Commons (CC) has launched the CC Signals project, a new initiative aimed at promoting fairness and reciprocity in how data is used to train AI models. Announced recently, this framework introduces a preference signaling system that allows dataset holders to specify how their content can be reused by machines, building on the principles that have guided CC’s open licensing for billions of works online.

The CC Signals project seeks to address the challenges posed by AI’s rapid growth, which is reshaping how knowledge is created, shared, and accessed. By offering a set of clear, meaningful options for data reuse, CC Signals aims to balance the needs of content creators with the demands of AI development. The framework is both a technical and legal tool and a call for collaboration, encouraging a collective approach to sustaining an open and equitable digital commons.

“CC Signals are designed to sustain the commons in the age of AI,” said Anna Tumadóttir, CEO of Creative Commons. “Just as our licenses helped shape the open web, we believe CC Signals can foster an AI ecosystem rooted in mutual benefit.”

The initiative emphasizes flexibility, with signals designed to be readable by both machines and humans, adaptable across various legal and technical contexts. While some signals may carry legal weight, others will serve as ethical guidelines, promoting a culture of shared responsibility. “A single preference alone has little impact in the machine age,” said Sarah Hinchliff Pearson, General Counsel at Creative Commons. “But collectively, we can shape a system that values giving and taking responsibly.”

Creative Commons is now inviting public input as it develops CC Signals, with an alpha launch planned for November 2025. The organization has made early design details available on its website and is encouraging feedback through multiple channels. Community members can explore the technical implementation, join discussions, submit suggestions via the CC Signals GitHub repository, or participate in upcoming town hall events to share ideas and ask questions.

This project reflects Creative Commons’ ongoing commitment to transparency and collaboration. By involving the public in shaping CC Signals, the organization hopes to create a framework that not only supports open knowledge but also ensures AI development aligns with the values of fairness and collective benefit.

For more details or to get involved, visit the CC Signals GitHub repository or attend a town hall session to join the conversation.