What buyers say they want
OpenAI’s data partnerships ask for large datasets “not already easily accessible online”, in any modality, including local languages. Published licensing programs name source systems from AutoCAD to ServiceTitan.
Record types, and why they matter
| Record type | Why AI buyers value it |
|---|---|
| Operating procedures and manuals | Explain how a task should be done, step by step |
| Support tickets and CRM notes | Show real problems, troubleshooting and resolution |
| Engineering drawings and CAD with revisions | Capture design decisions and why they changed |
| Inspection and test results | Link measurements to pass/fail judgements and fixes |
| Maintenance and repair logs | Record diagnosis under real conditions |
| Production and process data | Connect settings to outcomes over time |
| Project histories, email and chat | Show decisions, trade-offs and coordination |
Why “how work gets done” is the new demand
AI developers are building agents that carry out multi-step work. To train and test them, they need examples of complete tasks: the request, the steps, the tools used and the result. Buyers call one form of this “agent trajectories”. Records that already document full workflows are the closest thing most businesses have.
What buyers don’t want
- Sensitive personal information about customers or staff.
- Information that belongs to a third party, such as client files or supplier drawings under NDA.
- Content that is already public.
- Isolated files with no context or outcome.
Which industries hold the most useful records?
Any business with years of specialist, company-created records can qualify. Technical industries stand out because their knowledge rarely appears online: see manufacturing and engineering data for AI. Note that we found no published lab statement naming manufacturing or inspection data specifically; licensing programs that list AutoCAD and ServiceTitan as sources are the nearest public evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Do AI companies buy CRM or support ticket data?
Yes. Published licensing programs list CRM and support systems among accepted sources, provided personal information is removed.
Are old emails and Slack messages valuable?
They can be, because they show decisions in context. They also carry the most personal information, so they need careful scoping and de-identification.
Do buyers want data in Japanese or Chinese?
Some do. OpenAI’s partnership call includes local languages.
Is source code licensable?
Often, if your company owns it and it doesn’t contain third-party or open-source code with conflicting licence terms.