The Growing Significance of Data Rights and Digital Autonomy in the Era of AI

The importance of personal data rights and digital autonomy amid the rise of artificial intelligence is increasingly recognized. Anna Kazlauskas, co-founder of Vana and CEO of Open Data Labs, emphasized the necessity for individuals to control their data—a critical resource—during the "Making Waves" panel on April 25.

"Rights Must Be Preserved in the Digital Realm"

Kazlauskas equated digital data to tangible personal property. "Just as I own my house or car, data should be considered a personal asset in the digital world," she stated, advocating for a system that allows individuals to store, manage, and use their data actively.

She also pushed for individuals' involvement in AI training and the right to claim benefits from AI models derived from their data. "The information I posted online years ago now aids AI development," she explained. "Since AI improves through collective knowledge, those contributing should receive economic rewards."

Vana Experimenting with a 'Data Cooperative' Model

Vana is developing a platform that lets individuals use their data to train AI, sharing ownership and profits. Kazlauskas refers to this model as a "data union" or "data cooperative." Communities from platforms like Reddit, Tesla, and Amazon are already voluntarily participating.

"We're working on a series of AI models called 'Collective.' About one million people have contributed data to the first model so far," she noted. "While this is just the beginning and initial performance may not be the best, our aim is to expand the user base significantly and create the most advanced AI."

Kazlauskas criticized the current corporate-centric AI industry structure for its risks to societal information flow. "The centralization of large AI models dominating information streams is dangerous," she warned. "We need a new internet order where individuals retain data sovereignty."

She stressed, "Individuals, not just users, must be the focal point in the digital space," adding that "Technology should expand human choice, not serve as a means of control."

Opportunities in the AI Era: "The Real Alternative Is Collective Action"

Wrapping up, Kazlauskas highlighted the "Data Wall," referring to the impending issue of data scarcity. "We are at a juncture where individuals, as the original data sources, can assert their rights," she noted.

Kazlauskas envisioned a future shaped by collective action. "Instead of 100 people pooling data to create a single AI model, imagine a world where 100 million people collaborate to build the best AI and distribute benefits equitably," she concluded. "It's time to shift the focus from technology to structural transformation."