VANA, a new company started by Filipino founders Art Abal and Anna Kazlauskas from Harvard and MIT, has created a platform that could change how artificial intelligence (AI) and personal data work together.

The company has built a system that gives people more control over their own data. This means users, especially in places like the Philippines where people share a lot online, can now benefit from their internet activity while helping to improve AI technology.

VANA uses a layer-one blockchain technology, a secure way of storing information, to let individuals decide how their data is used. This new approach could make AI development fairer and more open to everyone, not just big tech companies. The founders hope their platform will give people in countries like the Philippines more say in how their information is used in the growing world of AI.

VANA's Digital Footprints

Art Abal and Anna Kazlauskas met by chance at MIT, a top tech school. Though they came from different worlds - Art, a lawyer from Iligan, Philippines studying at Harvard, and Anna, a successful business owner - they shared a big idea: to make AI technology available to everyone. Together, they started a project called TOCA. This project helped people in poor areas of the Philippines earn money by using their phones to label data for AI. TOCA was a big hit in cities like Cebu and Manila.

The success of TOCA showed that the Philippines could play an important role in the growing world of AI. It proved that even people without much money or fancy technology could be part of this new digital economy. This project was just the beginning of Art and Anna's work to bring the benefits of AI to more people, especially in countries like the Philippines.

After a brief hiatus to complete their studies, the duo has now launched VANA, an ambitious evolution of their original concept. VANA shifts focus from manual data contributions to harnessing the inherent value of individual digital footprints, promising a revolutionary approach to data ownership and AI development.

VANA's Vision for Democratizing AI Data

“Filipinos are the largest users of social media in the world, and they have the most data on these platforms. The value of that data needs to be realized by individuals so that the Philippines can be uplifted.” - Art Abal, Co-Founder of VANA

The platform's launch comes at a critical point in the AI industry, where the scarcity of fresh, high-quality data has become a significant bottleneck. VANA's ethical data sourcing model, built on user consent and privacy, promises to unlock new possibilities for AI development while ensuring fair compensation for data contributors.

VANA's impact has already been felt globally, with projects like the Reddit Data DAO onboarding 140,000 users in just one week. This rapid adoption underscores the growing demand for user-controlled data solutions in the face of increasing concerns over data privacy and exploitation.

More than a tech startup, VANA is spearheading a paradigm shift in our approach to data ownership and AI development. Art and Anna's venture is a testament to the power of cultural identity in shaping technological innovation. By placing their Filipino heritage at the forefront, they're crafting a more inclusive digital future that resonates with emerging markets worldwide.

“This is one direct way in which Filipinos can really participate in this emerging data economy.” - - Art Abal, Co-Founder of VANA

About VANA 

VANA is a pioneering tech startup founded by Filipino-Australian Art Abal and Anna Kazlauskas, leveraging blockchain technology to create a user-owned data ecosystem for AI development. With a focus on empowering individuals and communities, VANA is at the forefront of the movement towards ethical, inclusive, and democratized artificial intelligence.

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