Buy data for AI
To buy data for AI, a lab chooses a route — direct licence, training-data supplier, broker or marketplace — writes a specification, reviews a metadata-only manifest and a redacted sample, and signs a licence with the rights-holder. Published prices for company archives run $20,000 to over $3 million per company, and timelines six to twelve weeks (checked November 2026).
The four routes, in one view
| Route | Typical timeline | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Direct licence | Negotiated | Very large or unusual archives |
| Supplier programme | Published, often 6–12 weeks | Defined specs inside published floors |
| Broker / introducer | Spec-dependent | Comparison across buyers or owners |
| Marketplace | Listing-dependent | Packaged, self-described datasets |
The full method — specification writing, manifest review, sampling, terms — is the sourcing guide. If you already have a specification, skip to the form.
Buy data for a live specification
Tell us the task, industry and record types. First reply is an availability read, not a sales deck.
Cite this entry: Best Data for AI. “Buy Data for AI — Sourcing Routes, Prices and Timelines.” Content reviewed 10 November 2026. Figures on this page are published buyer ranges with sources and check dates shown — they are not offers.