Can “Data Dignity” Save Us from Mass Unemployment Caused by AI?

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize our world, it’s becoming clear that we all play a role in shaping and advancing this technology. Every time we use our smartphones, stream music on a platform like Spotify, or shop on Amazon, we’re providing valuable data that AI models can use to learn and improve. However, as more and more companies use our data to train AI models, some are asking: should we be compensated for our contributions to this groundbreaking technology? In this article, we’ll explore the arguments for and against paying people for their data and the potential implications of this on the development of AI.


Silicon Valley leaders believe that universal basic income (UBI) will help people survive and prosper as technology eliminates careers. However, even UBI supporters like Sam Altman of OpenAI do not see it as a complete solution. Computer scientist Jaron Lanier proposes “data dignity,” which allows people to get paid for their data contributions. Lanier and economist Glen Weyl argue that UBI advocates only offer two outcomes: mass poverty or total control by a central authority. Lanier acknowledges that properly crediting people for their data contributions is a complex issue. OpenAI has closed access to its training data for its latest language model, GPT-4, and regulators are grappling with how to handle data ownership. Despite these challenges, Lanier believes that giving people credit for their data contributions is essential for human agency and sanity. Establishing a new creative class instead of a dependent class is key to this vision.


As we continue to integrate AI into our daily lives, it’s important to recognize the role we all play in its development. From our social media activity to our online purchases, everything we do and share online contributes to the growth of AI technologies. As we move forward, it’s worth considering whether or not we should be compensated for our contributions to this industry. While there are certainly arguments on both sides, one thing is clear: AI is here to stay, and we must be mindful of its impact on our lives and economies. So let’s continue to educate ourselves on the benefits and drawbacks of artificial intelligence, and work together to build a future where everyone can thrive.