Pokémon Go Gamers Have Unknowingly Allowed Their Data To Train AI Models: Should You Worry? – News18

Last Updated:November 20, 2024, 11:47 IST

The popular AR-based mobile game has millions of users whose data has once again become the means the train AI models.

The makers of popular game Pokemon Go have developed their own AI model for the geospatial tech which uses data from millions of smartphones. Niantic is the company that runs the AR-based game played by millions across the globe and this update will surely be of concern to many who were not aware of its intentions.

The company has claimed that its large language model (LLM) for geospatial tech opens new avenues for its business, including 3D mapping that can be integrated into many applications.

Pokemon Go is one of the AR-based games that Niantic has utilised to gather data and the company says its terms of services clearly mentions the practices followed. However, it is likely that most people might not have read through the terms, which is sure to alarm them about their data being used by the company in this manner. You can read more about it here.

Data For AI: The Real Cost Of Being Free

Pokemon Go is effectively a free game that only requires you to make in-game purchases but not entirely necessary. So, the millions who have enjoyed collecting their Pokemon over the years and navigate through the map to visit new gyms and centres, their data seems to have become the main source of the new Large Geospatial Model or LGM for the company. The free aspect of the game has finally shown its true colours.

Niantic knows the value of the data it holds in its systems, because the game itself functions through people walking across the streets, where vehicular movement may not be possible at all times.

The GPS data and visuals captured to train the AI model might eventually help the company earn revenue but the development will surely pose further questions about its transparency and how it makes use of the data. Chances are the future games from the company and the usage of Pokemon Go itself will take a big hit after these updates coming in this week.

AI is becoming a hot and debatable subject across the world and Niantic has triggered another avalanche of concerns for the regulators who are trying to put a leash on how our data is used to train these models. The least Niantic could do is to reach out to each one of its users and tell them why and how these actions are going to pan out in the near future.