# Economic Value of Data Soars with Surging AI Advancements

As AI technology rapidly advances, the economic value of data is reaching unprecedented heights. The swift development of Large Language Model (LLM) based AI is driving industries to secure more diverse and higher-quality data. Consequently, data available online has attained a new scarcity value, and user data itself is being recognized as a valuable asset.

In this emerging landscape, users have started to acknowledge that data generated by them should not merely benefit platforms, but should also result in direct compensation. Historically, data created by individuals has been utilized for advertising, algorithm improvements, and new business developments, with users receiving no direct rewards. However, with the rising demand for high-quality user data to feed LLMs, there is growing recognition that fair compensation is necessary to secure such data.

Amid this shifting perception, projects like Access Protocol ($ACS), Vana ($VANA), and Story ($IP) are garnering attention. Though they appear diverse in their focus – from subscription-based content rewards and personal data management to IP-based copyright data structures – they share a common objective: monetization of user data. Their ultimate goal is to propose a new economic paradigm that returns data ownership and value to the users.

# Access Protocol Expands from Subscription Data to AI Intelligence

Access Protocol began as a Web3 subscription model where creators provide content, and users stake ACS tokens to access it, simultaneously earning token rewards in a ‘win-win’ subscription model. This has evolved beyond mere subscriptions into a creator-fandom relationship. Subscriber numbers, staking volumes, and content consumption records are all recorded on-chain, forming a direct data flow between creators and their fans.

Access is advancing beyond its 1:1 subscription model by introducing an ‘Access Intelligence’ ecosystem for data monetization, expanding into AI agent-based content consumption structures. Within Access Intelligence, users can create AI agents based on news, on-chain data, and research materials. For instance, users can generate an agent that reads only Bitcoin news from five different media outlets, transforming these agents into new subscription targets. Through these agents, users on the platform consume data while generating income. Access anticipates, “the primary consumers of data in the future will be AIs, not humans.”

# Vana Aims to Harmonize Data Sovereignty and AI Development

Vana is developing a DataFi infrastructure to ensure personal data sovereignty. This spans a wide array of data types, from genetic information and sleep patterns to Amazon purchase histories and chat logs. Vana’s data economy platform supports individuals to manage and monetize their data directly.

Users can provide their data to DataDAO’s Data Liquidity Pool (DLP) and receive compensation based on their contribution when the data gets utilized. To facilitate data monetization, Vana has expanded into tokenomics with the introduction of VRC-20. Each DLP must operate its VRC-20 tokenomics for monetization, allowing data to be traded based on these tokens. Participants in Vana’s ecosystem can buy or sell data, and earn interest through DLP staking.

The Vana ecosystem envisages a virtuous cycle where numerous DataDAOs participate, showing that a wide variety of data can be monetized, thereby acquiring higher-quality data through monetization.

# Story (IP) Turns Creations into On-Chain Data

Story is building an infrastructure to register intellectual property (IP) on-chain and automate licensing and royalty settlements via smart contracts. Creators can register music, images, or videos, and AI companies or content platforms can instantly acquire licenses and pay royalties through APIs.

The system prevents data from being used indiscriminately for AI training and provides copyright owners with control over their data. Ultimately, it aims to achieve ‘API call-based licensing’ without legal contracts, resulting in an ecosystem where automatic settlements occur seamlessly.

Story’s goal is to create an ‘invisible IP settlement infrastructure’ that benefits creators, platforms, and AI companies, linking the distribution of creative works with AI training data provision.

# Data Assetization: A Shared Trend

The advent of the AI era is re-evaluating data as an ‘asset’ rather than a mere byproduct. Projects like Access Protocol, Vana, and Story, which place user data at the forefront, propose a new paradigm where users, not platforms, are the main agents of data collection, experimenting with structures that return both profits and control to the users.

The focus moving forward is not just on technology, but also on fostering trust and participation through design. When clear standards for data ownership and utilization, user-friendly experiences, and fair reward mechanisms are established, data can truly solidify its position as a valuable asset.