Cloudflare, the connectivity cloud company, has announced the acquisition of Human Native, an AI data marketplace connecting creators with AI developers. The move aims to simplify how developers discover and access high-quality content while enabling creators and publishers to optimize, price, and monetize their data in a transparent manner.

Founded in 2024 and backed by UK investors LocalGlobe and Mercuri, Human Native has built tools to ensure equitable collaboration between content creators and AI companies. The team, comprising experts from DeepMind, Google, Figma, and Bloomberg, brings deep experience in media and technology, positioning Cloudflare to accelerate its vision of an AI-driven Internet economy.

Matthew Prince, co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, said the acquisition is designed to give creators full control over their work, whether for human audiences or AI consumption. He added that the goal is to build tools enabling content to be discovered, priced, and purchased fairly, ensuring the longevity of the open internet.

Dr. James Smith, co-founder and CEO of Human Native, highlighted that the platform was created to move generative AI beyond its “Napster era,” ensuring creators receive credit and compensation when their content powers AI products. He emphasized that the partnership with Cloudflare aligns with the team’s mission to deliver solutions at internet scale.

Investors echoed the sentiment, noting Human Native’s infrastructure allows AI teams to access valuable data while enabling seamless monetization for content owners. The acquisition reflects Cloudflare’s strategy to build an ethical, transparent, and efficient marketplace for AI-ready content, bridging the gap between creators and AI developers.

This partnership positions Cloudflare at the forefront of creating a fair, scalable, and creator-centric AI content economy.