Fiverr Go: New AI model and assistant tool sparking freelancer concerns
Fiverr Go, the new suite of AI tools, is raising fears among freelancers about job displacement and protecting creative work. But are they judging too soon? Could it in some ways help scale their output?
“Make yourself obsolete and get $5!”…“They will train their AI on real client-freelancer interactions and the creation of commercial creative work until the freelancer isn’t needed at all!”
These are just a few of the initial freelancer responses posted on tech news site The Verge about Fiverr’s latest offering, Fiverr Go. The suite of AI-powered tools was designed so freelancers can create their own AI models and have an AI chat assistant to manage client inquiries.
Here’s how it works. The AI model and assistant use the freelancer’s knowledge, gig details, and communication style.
For example, the Personal Assistant can automatically respond to common client questions about services and pricing. It can gather client requirements before handing off complex requests. Again, it claims the assistant can be “fully customizable” allowing freelancers to configure when and how it responds.
For freelancers juggling a lot of assignments, wanting to scale their business fast, preferring to set aside times of the day for deep work or even catering to clients in different time zones, this aspect of the assistant is a time saver. Depending on the type of work you do, an assistant like this could help you get more done in less time.
But that doesn’t mean you should not still dedicate time to creating those warm fuzzies with clients by getting to know them face to face or talking to them via video or phone. According to the latest Qdos freelancer survey trusted relationships are more successful than digital tools and recruitment agencies when it comes to landing jobs, highlighting the power of personal connections.
As a freelance designer, I cannot imagine a single scenario where this would be anything but a disaster for my business.”
Can creativity be protected once AI is involved?
Fiverr claims its Go suite is designed to safeguard freelancer creativity, so they own and control their AI models. Fiverr does not own or use these models without permission. Clients must therefore pay for AI-generated work before downloading. Until that purchase is made, AI-generated content will be watermarked.
But what rights do clients and freelancers have in AI-generated deliveries? Clients own the final AI-generated content they purchase. Freelancers retain control over their AI models but can use client-generated outputs for model training (unless the client opts out).
But the catch is this: “Due to the nature of AI, exclusive outputs are not guaranteed, and similar results may be generated for different users.”
This risk doesn’t go down well with everyone. “As a freelance designer, I cannot imagine a single scenario where this would be anything but a disaster for my business,” says a respondent about the product launch on The Verge.
They continued, “So instead of charging a client a liveable amount of money for project work, I’m going to sell myself short for super cheap output that just looks like my work and Fiverr takes a big cut?”
Freelancer concerns so far
The overall concept of AI-generated freelance work has generated significant discussion and anxiety among freelancers. Concerns raised include:
- Potential devaluation of services: Freelancers express worry that AI-generated content may lead to a decrease in the perceived value of their work
- Ownership and exclusivity: The possibility of similar AI outputs being generated for multiple users raises questions about the exclusivity of purchased content
- Impact on earnings: Concerns exist that this technology could lead to a reduction in the fees freelancers are able to charge
- Job displacement: some freelancers feel that this is a step towards AI taking over their jobs and their exclusive creativity is available to the masses with no credit or financial compensation
Until a considerable amount of eligible Fiverr freelancers try out the AI creation model and AI assistant, it will be hard to determine the full impact such tools will have on a freelancer’s earning power and ability to protect their unique content.
Until further notice, Fiverr Go’s AI Personal Assistant and AI Creation Models will only be available to Level 2 and above freelancers in eligible categories for $25/month, including 3 active models and 2 retrains per month. Seller Plus Premium subscribers will also get access for $29/month or free with Seller Plus Premium.
Get news and expert views about freelancing you can’t get anywhere else.
Subscribe to the FREE Freelance Informer newsletter:
