Pokémon GO: a data goldmine for AI training

By Elena Andreou

In 2016, the augmented reality (AR) game Pokémon GO became a global sensation, blending physical exploration with virtual gameplay. Behind the scenes, the game’s immense popularity also served as a unique opportunity for its developer, Niantic, to collect vast amounts of data from millions of users.

While this data drove innovation in AR and machine learning, it also raised significant questions about privacy and compliance with evolving