We’ve all heard the saying that “data is the new oil,” but while tech giants are getting rich off our digital footprints, what are we getting in return? In this column for the Los Angeles Times, Anita Chabria dives into the visionary world of André Vellozo and his company, DrumWave.

Vellozo isn't just talking about privacy; he’s talking about property rights. The article explores a future where your data lives in a "dWallet," allowing you to license your information to AI models for micro-payments—much like a songwriter earns royalties from a hit single. As AI begins to "scavenge" the internet to build its intelligence, the stakes have never been higher. Will we remain the product, or will we finally become the owners of our own digital lives?

Read the full LA Times column here and join the conversation: Is data ownership the ultimate civil right for the AI age?

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