AI labs buy data from dead startups for training models
AI labs are purchasing data from defunct startups to train models, as public and synthetic datasets prove insufficient. Companies like SimpleClosure and Sunset broker these deals, selling codebases, Slack archives, emails, and workspace data—often for tens of thousands of dollars. SimpleClosure’s Asset Hub platform has closed over 150 deals, expecting to return $10 million to startups by…
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Key points
- SimpleClosure’s Asset Hub sold over 150 startup data deals, expecting $10M in returns by 2026 end
- Google paid $10M for Spirit Airlines’ 100M emails and 500M Teams messages in bankruptcy auction
- AI labs buy Slack, email, and code archives to train models, but pricing and legal risks remain unclear
Read the original at MIT Technology Review AI · by Matthew KingOpen source ↗
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SimpleClosureSunsetSurge AIGoogleSpirit AirlinesMercorKeelan MiskellDori YonaBrendan MahonyNick HeinerGreg EwingIfeoma Ajunwa
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