Revolutionizing AI Data Acquisition: Meet the London Startup Transforming the Market

Human Native: The New Marketplace for AI Data

If data is the new oil, then Human Native, a London-based startup, aims to become the equivalent of the New York Mercantile Exchange—a hub where AI companies can connect with publishers and businesses that have data for sale.

Human Native has recently onboarded former Google executives with expertise in content licensing and intellectual property law. This move comes at a time when AI companies face increasing legal scrutiny for using data scraped from the internet without permission.

The Legal Landscape

As lawsuits pile up in the U.S. against AI companies for copyright violations, the EU AI Act mandates that companies disclose their data sources, raising the stakes for data acquisition. Major AI players like OpenAI have already begun licensing data from publishers to ensure compliance and access to accurate information, signing deals reportedly worth tens of millions of dollars.

The Need for Ethical Data Sourcing

With scraping data becoming technically challenging and legally risky, startups like Human Native are stepping in to help businesses source data ethically. The startup aims to simplify the process of acquiring data with a digital marketplace that connects data seekers and sellers, utilizing standardized legal contracts.

Funding and Future Plans

In June, Human Native raised $3.6 million in a seed round led by LocalGlobe and Mercuri. The platform is currently in beta, targeting a critical mass of buyers and sellers to function effectively. Their revenue model includes taking a commission on transactions and offering tools for data governance.

Competition and Market Position

While competitors like Nomad Data and Snowflake exist, Human Native is positioned uniquely with its focus on smaller publishers and rights holders. By pooling data from multiple sources, it aims to create value for AI developers who need specialized datasets.

Building a New Data Ecosystem

Human Native's team includes experienced professionals from Google, Disney, and law firms, indicating a serious commitment to establishing a robust data marketplace. They aim to standardize licensing terms and practices, ultimately helping to shape the future of data acquisition in the AI industry.

With the potential to level the playing field for smaller data providers, Human Native is addressing one of the most pressing issues in the tech world today: the need for ethical and efficient data sourcing for AI development.