Learn step-by-step how to turn off AI DeviantArt features, protect your artwork, and regain full control of your creative settings.
I joined DeviantArt a few years ago when it was one of the stylish places to partake in digital oils, sketches, and art. It felt like a community where everyone was creating from scratch. When artificial intelligence art suddenly appeared far and wide, it caught me off guard. I kept seeing AI- generated pieces in my feed and started fussing about whether my own work was being used to train these systems.
like a community where everyone was creating from scratch. When artificial intelligence art suddenly appeared everywhere, it caught me off guard. I kept seeing AI-generated pieces in my feed and started worrying about whether my own work was being used to train these systems.
It felt illegal. I had spent hours perfecting my lines, colours, and shading, and the idea of my delineations being absorbed into a machine without my authorization made me uneasy. I searched for ways to turn it off but the options were hidden deep in the settings. Ultimately, I figured it out, and that’s why I’m writing this companion.
What AI on DeviantArt Actually Means
When people ask how to turn off AI on DeviantArt, they are usually talking about three different issues.
First, DeviantArt allows artists to decide whether their work can be used in artificial intelligence training datasets. This is where images are collected and fed into algorithms so that the AI can learn how to draw in different styles.
Second, DeviantArt launched its own AI tool called DreamUp. It is an image generator that lets people create AI art directly on the platform.
Third, even if you do not use AI or want your work in datasets, you will still see AI images in your feed unless you hide them.
Turning off AI on DeviantArt usually means opting out of training datasets, hiding AI content from your browsing experience, and avoiding DreamUp completely.
How to Opt Out of AI Training
This was the most important setting for me. Here is how you can do it.
Log in to your DeviantArt account and go to Settings. Once you are there, look for AI Controls or AI Options. You will see a setting that says Allow my art to be used for AI training. Toggle this option off.
This one step ensures that both your existing work and your future uploads will not be pulled into AI datasets. When I first turned it off, I felt immediate relief. It was like finally locking the door to my studio after realizing it had been open to strangers.
How to Hide AI Art from Your Feed
After opting out, I still had a problem. I kept seeing AI-generated images in my feed and it ruined the experience. If you feel the same, here is what you can do.
Go to AI Controls again and look for the option that controls whether AI art shows up in your feed or searches. Turn it off.
If that option is not visible, there is another method. When browsing, click on Filters and check Hide AI-generated art. This way, your feed will once again look like the DeviantArt you signed up for, filled with human-created work.
How to Avoid Dream Up
Dream Up is DeviantArt’s own AI art generator. If you never want to use it, head back to Settings and AI Controls. Look for an option like Enable Dream Up access and switch it off.
Even if there is no complete disable button, you can simply avoid clicking on the Dream Up section while browsing or uploading. Personally, I wanted my account to reflect that I was here only for human creativity, so I turned it off and left it at that.
Extra Tips and Workarounds
Not everything can be solved with one toggle, so here are a few additional tricks.
Tag your artwork with NoAI. This tag is recognized by DeviantArt and helps reinforce that your work should not be used in training datasets.
Consider adding watermarks to your work. Even a small signature makes it harder for scrapers to take clean versions of your art.
If you come across AI content in a section where it should not be, report it or block it.
If you want even stricter privacy controls, reach out to DeviantArt support. They can confirm your settings and help you lock things down further.
Why This Matters to Artists
For me, this was not just about settings and filters. It was about ownership and respect. I had spent years learning the basics of anatomy, practicing shading techniques, and building my style. Knowing that these personal efforts could be fed into a machine without my permission felt like a betrayal.
Numerous artists I know partake in the same concern. AI is fascinating technology, but it should not come at the cost of an artist’s right to control their work. By concluding out and hiding AI content, I felt like I was reclaiming my space. It was my way of saying my art is mine and I get to choose how it’s used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DeviantArt still use my art for AI if I turn it off?
No. Once you switch off the option in AI Controls, your artwork will be excluded from training datasets.
Can I block AI-generated art from search results?
Yes. Use the Filters option while browsing and check Hide AI-generated art.
What if I never want to use DreamUp?
You do not have to. Just toggle it off in Settings or simply avoid using it.
Does the NoAI tag really help?
Yes, it provides an extra layer of protection. It will not replace your account settings but it works as a clear marker that your art should not be included in AI training.
Can I change my mind later?
Yes. If you decide in the future that you want to allow your art in training datasets or experiment with DreamUp, you can always turn the settings back on.
The Bigger Picture About AI on Art Platforms
When I first went through this process, I felt angry. Why were artists not being respected from the start? But as I learned more, I realized we are living through a transition. Artificial intelligence is not going away, but platforms are slowly realizing they must give artists more control.
By opting out, filtering AI content, and setting personal boundaries, we are not only protecting ourselves but also sending a message. Creativity deserves consent. Art is not just material for an algorithm.
Taking Back Your Space on DeviantArt
Let us go back to the original question. How do you stop AI from affecting your DeviantArt experience. The answer is simple.
Go into Settings, open AI Controls, conclude out of training datasets, hide AI- generated art from your feed, and turn off Dream Up access. It may only take many clicks, but the impact is important. Suddenly, DeviantArt feels like your creative space again.
And that’s the real point. Art is not just pixels on a screen. It’s the trouble, the late nights, and the feelings we put into it. That deserves protection. So if you have not done it yet, take two twinkles to open your settings and acclimate those options. Reclaim your corner of the internet and make DeviantArt the place it was meant to be for you.
Additional Resources
- Lessons from DeviantArt’s AI Debacle Plagiarism Today: Critical analysis of what DeviantArt did regarding AI tools, the opt-out toggle, and what limitations or issues users raised.
