Payable AI: Rewarding the Unpaid Workforce Behind Data

- A groundbreaking "Payable AI" model proposes paying data creators through onchain attribution. - The system seeks to transform AI's $1 trillion economy by fostering a circular knowledge ecosystem. On July 3, 2025, Cointelegraph reported on a revolutionary proposal from Ram Kumar, a core contributor at OpenLedger, that tackles the widespread issue of uncompensated data usage in artificial intelligence training. Kumar's "Payable AI" model aims to ensure fair compensation for the individuals who create the vast volumes of data used in AI development, an approach that could redefine how the AI economy distributes value. According to the report, the "Payable AI" system relies on onchain attribution, where every piece of data used to train AI models will contain a traceable "digital receipt." This receipt would guarantee that original creators receive payment each time a model leverages their work. The report noted Kumar's emphasis that countless individuals currently form an "unpaid workforce," generating invaluable raw data while remaining excluded from the immense financial benefits AI systems produce. Consequently, this model seeks to bridge that gap. Cointelegraph further reported that "Payable AI" aims to transcend mere compensation by laying the foundation for a "circular economy for knowledge." In this proposed model, data creation produces ownership and shared value, which could significantly reduce the dominance of a few corporate entities in AI development. Kumar argued that the model fosters a more equitable and sustainable AI landscape by redistributing power to a diverse pool of data contributors, developers, and ecosystem participants. To bring "Payable AI" to life, the report detailed that robust infrastructure is essential, including identity layers, permission systems, and digital wallets capable of handling seamless micropayments. In addition, Kumar called for new legal frameworks that recognize data as labor, ensuring a structured system to protect and fairly compensate data creators. According to CoinMarketCap on July 3, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $2,124 at 12:00 UTC, reflecting a 1.7% increase in 24-hour trading volume.