Twitch AI, StreamElements Acquired, LinkedIn Seems Like AI Slop + ExtraEmily's Show on Disney+

Hello, and welcome! I want to jump right into the first item in the title above, briefly run through what I know, and offer some paths for Twitch creators to navigate it. On Friday, I shared on socials that Twitch and Amazon are planning to use streams to train generative AI. Sources tell me it will be announced in the coming months, perhaps with an opt-out for some training data. Some of those same sources have told me about various parts of this as early as 2 years ago, and much of that has come to fruition. We've seen Twitch and Amazon roll out multiple AI features: Auto Clips, AI Moderation, Clip Captions, Voice Clipping, AI-assisted Brand Replays, and a Sponsorship AI Assistant. Twitch has also been upfront about how they have 'a role to play' in training Amazon's AI, and how they believe that AI will be a benefit to the streaming space. So, it's safe to say a lot of the AI is already here, and Amazon is likely directing Twitch to introduce a lot more of it... and what may be coming is an opt-out of deeper training on you personally.

So, as a creator, how do you navigate this? Well, the conversation about AI is far more nuanced than I can reasonably discuss in the opening of this newsletter, so let me generalize.

1. If you're leaning into the technology, there's probably nothing you need to do. Carry on with whatever you're doing.
2. If you're unsure about the technology, i.e., you like some aspects and dislike others, or maybe you struggle with the ethics of its training data, you may want to consider sidelining yourself. By that I mean, for the time being, avoid its usage (and/or opt out of training data where possible). AI is a minefield, and humans are messy. We are often walking contradictions. So, figure out where your lines are before crossing them without thinking.
3. If you are vehemently against AI, your best protest against it is with your dollars. I've said this before, but threats to leave the platform or social media outrage are not effective. Instead, you need to change how the money flows from your community to you. That means instead of a subathon, you do a tipathon. Instead of asking for subs, you ask for Patreon memberships. Instead of attending Twitchcon, you skip it and go to something else instead. These are difficult changes to make and may feel like you're punishing yourself - but that's sort of the reality of protest. If it's easy, it's ineffective. Every dollar you take off-platform is infinitely more effective at influencing the platform than another round of social outrage (that Twitch doesn't care about).

That's as much as I can offer without making this post 2000 words... so let me know your thoughts in the comments below! But with that, let's get into the recap.

🟪 TWITCH

• Multiple sources have told me that Twitch and Amazon are apparently planning to use streams to train generative AI models. There may be an opt-out for some parts of that training. I'm told we should expect a public announcement of this in the coming months.
• How did Twitch perform in July 2026 vs 2025? A negative, but slowing trend.
• Twitch DJs can no longer stream any VOD or prerecorded content as of August 1, 2026. This rule has existed but was not being enforced.
• Paid Badge Drops can now be up to 100 gifted subs worth, while Watch Time Badge Drops can require up to 24 hours of watch time.
• Twitch is testing a 30% discount on ONE sub if you have an active Turbo subscription. These are shared discounts.
• New Badges: Dead by Daylight💰, Roblox Egg💰
• Twitch won a legal patent fight.
• Twitch CEO Dan Clancy spoke to The Wrap about how longer videos are critical in the short-form age.
• Twitch + Amazon Ads were in Shanghai last week to connect with agencies, game devs + publishers.
• Twitchcon Berlin 2027 may be at Messe Berlin, according to UIT Holland.
• Dan Clancy's boss at Amazon, Steve Boom, shared thoughts on Streamer University.

🟥 YOUTUBE

• YouTube has been banning ASMR creators for what it claims are sexually gratifying content. Creators believe AI moderation is involved, especially given the widespread impact.
• YouTube's less-disruptive Side-by-Side ads will only run on livestreams with captions turned *off*, according to YouTube's updated help page.
• Kurzgesagt also got dinged because YouTube's AI systems flagged their content as AI slop.
• YouTube released a guide on Creator Marketing on the platform. Caters to industry, but useful for creators!

🟦 OTHER PLATFORMS

• Discord launched Profile Frames, a paid profile decoration for users.
• Discord is working on Custom Typing Indicators for Nitro subscribers.
• Discord may soon let you hide badges on your profile.
• Discord is improving the Clipping experience, including an autoclips feature.