From global stages like Cannes Lions talking about the importance of representation in AI, to in-house moments like Lisa Hurley’s A Space to Exhale book launch, the momentum is real. But this summer, it’s not just about what where we’re going, it’s about who’s going with us.
This edition of infocus dives into something crucial, the power of diverse datasets. We’re breaking down why they matter, how metadata plays a key role, and what it means for the future of inclusive media.
We’re also calling on our creator and contributor community to show us how you summer. From BBQs and beach days to rooftop hangs and road trips, the real deal summer daze.
Photographers, models, and filmmakers, this is your time. Learn how to contribute, become a face in our library, or even get involved as an investor.
The future of representation is ours. Let’s build it together.
Metadata vs. datasets: What's the difference?
Image by Konstantin Pelikh | Available on pocstock
Before we talk datasets, let’s break down something that might feel small but is actually huge: metadata.
Metadata is the information you include when uploading content. It includes the titles, tags, and descriptions that describe what’s in the image. It’s always been important, but with AI running the search game now, metadata is everything. It decides whether your work gets seen, licensed, or buried. The better your metadata, the better your chances of showing up in the right places and being part of the bigger picture.
Example:
A photo of a Dominican grandmother serving arroz con habichuelas at a backyard lunch?
The metadata might include:
Title: Latina grandmother serving food outdoors
Tags: Dominican, family, summer lunch, outdoor meal, intergenerational, Latin culture, matriarch
Location: Bronx, NY
Now multiply that by hundreds of thousands of images and you’ve got a dataset.
What are datasets and why do they matter?
Image by Justin Shockley | Available on pocstock
In the world of AI, datasets are everything. They are large collections of content, such as images and videos, paired with metadata that explains what is in them. This is what trains machines to see, sort, and respond to the world around us.
Every image you upload, every video you create, and every tag you add helps shape how AI understands people, cultures, and communities. The more accurate and inclusive that data is, the better AI can recognize the full picture, not just one narrow version of it.
The quality of that data matters. What gets labeled, how it’s described, and who shows up in the content all shape how AI systems behave in real life.
This is where content creators like you come in. The way you tag and describe your work has power. Bias doesn’t start with the machines. It starts with the data we give them. When people get left out or mislabeled, AI tools repeat those same mistakes. That can lead to:
- Job tools that skip over qualified people
- Algorithms that misidentify or erase culture
- AI systems that only recognize one kind of “normal”
But when your metadata is accurate, thoughtful, and inclusive, it makes AI smarter and fairer. It teaches machines to see our full humanity, not just one version of it.
From creator to co-owner: invest in pocstock on Wefunder
Image by Westend61 GmbH | Available on pocstock
This is a chance to go beyond being just a creator or consumer. Become an investor in the future. Own your stake in building tech that reflects all of us. And if you’re already part of our community, help us grow it. Refer a friend to join pocstock and help shape what’s next for AI.
We’re not just building a stock media company. We’re building a movement. And now you can be part of it, not just by contributing content, but by investing in the platform itself.
Through our Wefunder campaign, we’re inviting our community to become co-owners of pocstock. This is your chance to turn your belief in authentic representation into equity in the company that’s making it happen.
Join us as an investor and help lead the next era of ethical AI.
If you've made it this far, thank you!
How to get involved
This movement doesn’t build itself. Here’s how you can step in:
Invest in pocstock → wefunder.com/pocstock
Contributors, join us → Become a Contributor
- Subscribe → Become a Client
Let’s break the bias. Let’s build something better.