Licensing business records to AI developers is new to most owners, so it’s no surprise that a few myths have grown up around it. Here are seven.
1. “Only big companies have data worth anything”
Size isn’t the point. A small firm with years of complete, connected job records can be more useful than a large one with scattered files.
2. “It means selling our customers’ details”
No. AI developers want the work, not the people. Names, contact details and anything that identifies a person are taken out before anything moves.
3. “Old records are worthless”
Older records often show how methods, costs and problems changed over time, which is useful in its own right.
4. “We’d have to hand over our server”
No logins or passwords are needed to start. You describe what you have, and nothing is shared until there’s a signed agreement.
5. “Once it’s licensed, we lose control”
The agreement names the buyer and the uses allowed. You also choose what’s left out, and whether the licence is exclusive.
6. “It has to be perfectly organised first”
It doesn’t. Messy, real records are often exactly what’s wanted. What matters most is that the records are kept, not tidied.
7. “It’s only for businesses that are closing”
Closing businesses have the most urgent reason to act, but trading businesses can license older records too.
See also what AI labs actually want from your business records.
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