Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every aspect of the digital world, but its rapid growth is also creating new concerns about data ownership, online privacy, and personal control. As AI systems become more advanced, they require enormous amounts of digital information to improve their performance. Among researchers exploring the societal implications of artificial intelligence is Hungarian legal researcher Anett Győri, whose work examines digital ownership, privacy, and individual autonomy. She argues that society must pay closer attention to who ultimately controls the digital environments where people live, work, and communicate.
Understanding the Concept of Digital Squatting
Győri describes this emerging challenge as "digital squatting," a term that reflects how users build valuable digital lives on platforms they do not own. Social media accounts, cloud storage, business pages, and professional profiles have become essential parts of modern life, yet all of them operate on infrastructure controlled by technology companies. While users create the content and invest their time online, the platforms establish the rules, policies, and future direction of these digital spaces. This imbalance has become increasingly important as AI continues to rely on user-generated information.
AI Has Increased the Value of Personal Information
The expansion of artificial intelligence has made personal data one of the most valuable resources in the technology industry. Public posts, comments, photographs, videos, and online interactions are now used to develop more capable AI models. Several major technology companies have introduced policies allowing certain publicly available content to contribute to AI training, leading to broader discussions about transparency and user consent. Although companies generally state that users retain ownership of their content, experts argue that ownership alone does not always provide meaningful control over how information is processed.
Privacy Laws Continue to Face New Challenges
Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) have strengthened legal protections for digital privacy, giving users more rights over their personal information. However, many experts argue that legal frameworks alone may not be sufficient to keep pace with rapid AI innovation. Most users accept privacy policies and platform settings without carefully reviewing how their information may be collected or shared. As artificial intelligence evolves, experts suggest that stronger transparency and easier-to-understand consent systems will become increasingly necessary.
Research Focuses on Digital Sovereignty
Győri's academic work combines scientific research, innovation studies, and communication to examine how complex systems influence society. Her earlier research explored global collaboration in healthcare and sustainable development, providing insights into institutional decision-making and resource management. These experiences have shaped her interest in digital sovereignty, a concept focused on giving individuals greater authority over their own information. Rather than relying only on regulations, she believes digital systems should be designed to protect user rights from the beginning.
New Frameworks Aim to Give Users Greater Control
To address these challenges, Győri proposes conceptual frameworks she refers to as the "Digital Shield" and "Symbiotic Architecture." These frameworks encourage technology developers to embed privacy, transparency, and user control directly into digital infrastructure. Instead of responding to privacy concerns after data has already been collected, these ideas promote proactive solutions that strengthen trust between users and digital platforms. According to Győri, this approach could create a healthier balance between technological innovation and individual rights.
The Future of AI Depends on Responsible Digital Governance
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape business, education, healthcare, and communication, debates surrounding digital squatting are expected to become even more significant. The future of digital society will depend not only on technological innovation but also on how responsibly personal information is governed, protected, and managed. Ensuring that individuals retain meaningful control over their digital identities may become one of the defining governance challenges of the AI era, making digital sovereignty an increasingly important priority for researchers, policymakers, and technology companies alike.
This article was written in cooperation with Anett Győri.