AI firms are paying big sums for companies' internal communications to train next-gen models

The latest installment of one outlet's AI Data Grab series reveals that AI companies are now paying six- and seven-figure amounts for anonymized corporate records such as Slack messages, emails, presentations and internal documents. The aim is to feed AI systems with authentic examples of problem-solving, collaboration and multi-step decision making, creating more capable AI agents. In parallel, law firms are developing their own AI solutions by leveraging decades of legal knowledge rather than relying on generic models.

Another report shows AI firms hiring individuals to film routine activities—like cooking meals or packing shipments—to teach robots human physical tasks. Together, these stories illustrate a transition from the first wave of generative AI, focused on larger models and faster hardware, to a second wave centered on understanding and replicating human work processes. This data-driven approach could accelerate AI integration across various industries. The series invites readers to follow ongoing developments via the AI Insider newsletter.