AI Usage at a Glance
Sep 12, 2023
OtherPractice documented: Alamy offers its image library — branded as the 'Alamy Access Collection' — to third-party AI developers and researchers for licensing as training data for machine learning models. Alamy states it shares revenue from these data training deals with the contributing photographers whose images are used.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Sep 12, 2023
OtherPractice documented: Alamy integrated its licensed image library into BRIA AI's 'Fair Diffusion Program,' a generative AI initiative where Alamy's images were used to train an AI image-generation model that attributes and compensates the original photographers when their work contributes to a generated image. Alamy announced this partnership in September 2023.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Sep 13, 2023
OtherNew evidence: BRIA Launches Legally-Trained Visual AI Foundation Models
Evidence AddedView practice →Feb 1, 2025
ModerationPractice documented: Alamy uses a Quality Control (QC) team process to detect and reject AI-generated imagery submitted by contributors, classifying such images as 'Unsuitable Material' and removing them from the platform. The company has publicly stated it does not accept any imagery wholly or partially created by AI generation tools.
Practice DocumentedView practice →Feb 13, 2025
ModerationNew evidence: Capturing the real: Alamy's commitment to championing authentic photography
Evidence AddedView practice →Apr 1, 2025
RecommendationPractice documented: Alamy offers Smart Search, an opt-in AI-powered search tool for signed-in users that goes beyond traditional keyword matching to find relevant images based on the meaning of a query. Built with Amazon Web Services, it was launched in late 2025 and allows users to describe what they need in natural language or concept-driven terms.
Practice DocumentedView practice →May 1, 2025
OtherNew evidence: Fuel your AI models with Alamy's Access Collection
Evidence AddedView practice →May 1, 2025
ModerationNew evidence: Uploading Images: Alamy contributor help and FAQs
Evidence AddedView practice →May 1, 2025
RecommendationNew evidence: Get creative with stock photos and videos from Alamy
Evidence AddedView practice →May 1, 2025
OtherNew evidence: Alamy Help and FAQs for Customers and Contributors
Evidence AddedView practice →Dec 1, 2025
RecommendationNew evidence: Alamy official forum post on Smart Search
Evidence AddedView practice →Alamy integrated its licensed image library into BRIA AI's 'Fair Diffusion Program,' a generative AI initiative where Alamy's images were used to train an AI image-generation model that attributes and compensates the original photographers when their work contributes to a generated image. Alamy announced this partnership in September 2023.
The Fair Diffusion Program, launched by BRIA AI in collaboration with Alamy, Getty Images, and Envato, trained a generative AI foundation model exclusively on licensed content from these partners. Unlike other generative AI models, BRIA's model uses an attribution system that traces each generated image back to its source material so contributing photographers receive a commission. Alamy's portion of the training data comes from its 'Novel Use' collection, which is covered by specific terms and conditions allowing experimental and AI-related uses.
Alamy integrated its licensed image library into BRIA AI's 'Fair Diffusion Program,' a generative AI initiative where Alamy's images were used to train an AI image-generation model that attributes and compensates the original photographers when their work contributes to a generated image. Alamy announced this partnership in September 2023.
Alamy offers its image library — branded as the 'Alamy Access Collection' — to third-party AI developers and researchers for licensing as training data for machine learning models. Alamy states it shares revenue from these data training deals with the contributing photographers whose images are used.
Have evidence about Alamy's AI practices? Submit a report.
Submit a report →AI Trace is free and nonprofit. Support our work
Alamy offers Smart Search, an opt-in AI-powered search tool for signed-in users that goes beyond traditional keyword matching to find relevant images based on the meaning of a query. Built with Amazon Web Services, it was launched in late 2025 and allows users to describe what they need in natural language or concept-driven terms.
Smart Search integrates vector-embedding technology with Alamy's library of over 430 million visual assets, enabling the system to interpret complex, multi-layered queries and surface imagery that keyword-only search would miss. Users can toggle the feature on or off; when enabled, the system also supports search-by-image, allowing users to upload a reference photo to find visually similar content. The tool is described by Alamy as augmenting rather than replacing keyword search.
Alamy offers its image library — branded as the 'Alamy Access Collection' — to third-party AI developers and researchers for licensing as training data for machine learning models. Alamy states it shares revenue from these data training deals with the contributing photographers whose images are used.
The Alamy Access Collection comprises over 208 million images, including 14 million images exclusive to Alamy, and is made available to AI developers for training models in areas such as image recognition and image generation. Alamy's official page for this product invites researchers and developers to request a sample dataset of 5,000 assets. The company has also confirmed it licenses content for AI applications beyond image generation, such as image recognition, voice assistance, and healthcare, and states it shares revenue from these deals with contributors.
