Art Abal, Managing Director of the Vana Foundation, emphasized the importance of data sovereignty at the "Build and Scale in 2026" forum in Hong Kong. He highlighted the monopolization of data in the current AI ecosystem, where users often rely on a single AI assistant, leading to centralized data control. Abal criticized large tech companies for restricting API access and charging for services, which limits user control over their data. In response, Vana Foundation proposes a solution to empower users through decentralized technologies. This includes developing tools for data ownership, establishing protocols for cross-platform data portability, and creating an ecosystem of applications and data DAOs. Abal stressed that in the AI era, data is context, and Vana aims to return control and economic value of data to users, fostering a more open and equitable internet.