Practical guides · 12 September 2026 · AI Collective Mind
For a buyer: explain the decision or task
Describe what the data will help you do. Is the purpose AI training, evaluation, academic research, market analysis or a specific operational question? Explain the gap in current sources and the minimum conditions that would make a new source useful. “Help us define the specification” is a valid starting point.
Be precise about coverage, flexible about unknowns
List relevant countries, languages, time periods and freshness. Record quantity with a meaningful unit: rows, documents, hours, images, observations or another measure. Explain whether you need a historical snapshot, a recurring update or prospective collection. Mark estimates as estimates instead of manufacturing precision.
For a data owner: explain how it was created
State the purpose of the original collection and the organisation or contributor responsible. Describe formats, approximate volumes, available labels, documentation and known quality gaps. If several collections have different sources or terms, keep them distinguishable rather than presenting them as a single approved dataset.
Surface permissions and restrictions
Explain whether you are the owner, an authorised representative or unsure. Identify known third-party rights, confidentiality and possible personal or sensitive information without revealing the underlying records. Permission to hold information, to disclose it, to license it and to allow an AI use can require different evidence.
Set practical expectations
Buyers can share desired timing, quality checks, security expectations and an optional budget range. Suppliers can indicate preferred arrangements such as licensing, acquisition, representation or recurring supply. These preferences guide a discussion; they are not accepted terms or a valuation.
Keep the first exchange minimal
Do not include raw datasets, personal records, passwords, confidential archives or internal access links. A separately agreed process can handle an authorised sample later. Keep a record of your enquiry reference and remember that a callback request is a preference, not a confirmed appointment.