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Technology3h 20m ago

AI models trained using historical scans collected through Pokémon Go are connected to a partnership aimed at helping drones navigate environments where GPS signals are unavailable or compromised.

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LONDON

Who
Niantic, Vantor, Pokémon Go players, The Guardian, Tom Sulston of Digital Rights Watch, Dr Rob Nicholls of the University of Sydney’s Centre for AI, Trust and Governance
What
AI models trained using historical scans collected through Pokémon Go are connected to a partnership aimed at helping drones navigate environments where GPS signals are unavailable or compromised.
When
Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:26:15 GMT · 3h 20m ago
Where
LONDON ·
Why
Niantic confirmed a partnership with Vantor, a firm specialising in spatial detection software for drones, after using Pokémon Go player scans to train its AI models.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This partnership raises concerns among privacy advocates about the afterlife of data collected for one purpose being used for another, especially in the context of military applications for technology created through a game. It highlights an ongoing conversation about data consent, transparency, and the long-term implications of user-generated data in the age of AI.

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