UPDATE: In a rapid turnaround, LinkedIn has reinstated the AI startup Artisan AI after it was banned from the platform for several days. The ban sparked widespread discussion on social media, particularly LinkedIn and Twitter, as users noted the sudden disappearance of Artisan’s presence, including its company page and employee profiles.
Artisan AI’s CEO, Jaspar Carmichael-Jack, confirmed to TechCrunch that the ban stemmed from LinkedIn’s concerns regarding the use of its name on Artisan’s website and allegations of data scraping violations. “Every startup inevitably has some kind of thing that comes back to bite them,” Carmichael-Jack remarked, reflecting on the incident.
The ban, which began on December 19, 2023, led to Artisan vanishing from LinkedIn while the enforcement team reviewed its accounts. This unexpected absence, however, resulted in increased interest in the company, with Carmichael-Jack humorously noting, “Our lead flow suddenly started inching up every day.”
After two weeks of negotiations with LinkedIn, Artisan agreed to remove all mentions of the platform from its website to comply with the social network’s policies. Carmichael-Jack also undertook a thorough review of their third-party data partners to ensure compliance, acknowledging that LinkedIn’s enforcement team was helpful throughout the process.
The company, known for its eye-catching “Stop hiring humans” billboards in San Francisco, has gained notoriety as a graduate of startup accelerator Y Combinator. Artisan AI provides an autonomous AI agent, Ava, designed for outbound sales by identifying and contacting potential customers.
Despite the controversy, Carmichael-Jack downplayed the ban’s potential impact on Artisan, stating that “very little” of their data comes from LinkedIn. He revealed plans for a new version of Ava that will include more communication channels, including outbound calling, set to launch in the coming months.
While LinkedIn is not a direct competitor to Artisan, having introduced its own AI tool, Hiring Assistant, focused on recruiting, the company’s aggressive action against Artisan could indicate future competition in the sales domain.
LinkedIn has not yet responded to requests for comments regarding the reinstatement or the earlier ban. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for AI startups navigating partnerships with major tech platforms, highlighting the importance of compliance with terms of service.
As the tech landscape evolves, the return of Artisan AI to LinkedIn marks a significant moment, reminding startups that vigilance and adherence to platform policies are essential in today’s digital ecosystem.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
