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AI Craves Emails: Startups Sell Data
17 Apr
Summary
- Dying startups are selling internal data for AI training.
- Companies collect data to train AI agents in simulated workplaces.
- Concerns arise over employee privacy in AI data sales.
Startups facing dissolution are discovering a new revenue stream by selling their company data, such as emails and Slack messages, for potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. Specialized firms are assisting these founders in monetizing their internal communications to train artificial intelligence models.
Initially, large language models relied on public internet data. However, newer AI agentic models necessitate more complex datasets reflecting actual work processes. These datasets are utilized in simulated environments known as 'reinforcement learning gyms' (RL gyms) where AI agents practice workplace tasks.
Companies facilitating startup closures are now participating in this data monetization. SimpleClosure, for instance, has launched Asset Hub, a platform for licensing source code and workplace data, including internal communications. This service helps identify sellable data, assess its value, and remove personally identifiable information.
Over the past year, SimpleClosure has processed nearly 100 such deals, with payouts ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per company. This trend highlights a 'gold rush' for real-world data. However, privacy advocates express significant concerns about employee privacy, emphasizing that the data is identifiable and not generic.
