TLDR: Starting April 3, 2025, 3D model platform Sketchfab will require creators to disclose if their uploaded assets were generated using AI. This move comes as Sketchfab, owned by Epic Games, continues its integration into the broader Epic Games ecosystem, including a transition of free content to Fab.com, which will likely involve Epic Games accounts for users.
Sketchfab, the leading platform for 3D models, is set to introduce a mandatory disclosure policy for AI-generated content, effective April 3, 2025. Under the updated Terms of Use and License Agreement, creators will be required to explicitly mark any assets created, in full or in part, with artificial intelligence tools as “CreatedWithAI” when they are offered for reuse, whether for free or through the Sketchfab Store. This initiative aims to provide transparency to the platform’s diverse community, which includes both those embracing and those cautious of AI in creative workflows.
The platform, acquired by Epic Games in 2021, is also moving towards a deeper integration with its parent company’s services. While specific details about mandatory Epic Games accounts for all existing Sketchfab users were not immediately available, the broader strategy involves merging Sketchfab with other Epic Games marketplaces like Quixel, Unreal Engine Marketplace, and ArtStation Marketplace under the new Fab.com umbrella. A streamlined sign-up process for users offering free content for download on Fab.com is anticipated, suggesting a shift towards Epic Games account usage for continued access and participation.
A key aspect of Sketchfab’s AI policy is its stance against using user-generated content for AI training. Both Sketchfab and Epic Games have explicitly stated that they do not have any agreements with companies to utilize content from their websites in datasets for, or in the development of, generative AI programs. Furthermore, their Terms of Use prohibit such practices, and neither company scans artists’ or developers’ work for generative AI purposes. This commitment aims to reassure creators about the protection of their intellectual property in the evolving landscape of AI.
Also Read:
- Wikimedia Foundation Urges AI Developers to Credit Content and Utilize Paid API
- Fashion Industry Grapples with AI Integration as Vogue Features Virtual Model, Sparking Debate
The transition to Fab.com will see free content continue to be available on Sketchfab into 2025, but free licensing options on Sketchfab itself are slated for removal next year. The community will be invited to transfer eligible Creative Commons-licensed models to Fab.com, which will feature its own licensing options. This strategic consolidation reflects Epic Games’ ambition to create a comprehensive metaverse ecosystem.
