Institute for Family Studies proposes Data Rights Associations for AI

A new report from the Institute for Family Studies proposes the creation of ‘Data Rights Associations’ to protect individuals and communities from the potential abuses of artificial intelligence.

Led by senior fellow Daniel Cochrane, the report argues that AI development currently lacks sufficient input from the families and communities whose data is used to train these systems. The study suggests that because AI is a ‘co-produced good,’ the governance of its systems and outputs should be shared by those who provide the data.

These proposed associations would act as intermediaries for individuals, households, and small enterprises, allowing for collective informational bargaining with tech corporations. The goal is to secure better terms regarding privacy, data control, and the right to share in the economic benefits derived from co-produced data. The authors urge Congress and state governments to empower these groups to level the playing field between tech corporations and the public.