Asteya in Data Ethics and Knowledge Ownership

Asteya, non-stealing or non-appropriation, is one of Patanjali's foundational ethical constraints (yamas). In contemporary AI systems, this principle demands urgent attention as large language models trained on human knowledge generate outputs without attribution or compensation to original creators. Asteya extends beyond legal compliance to encompass spiritual and ethical integrity in knowledge systems. Future platforms must implement transparent attribution systems, ensure fair compensation for training data sources, and protect individual intellectual property rights. This includes acknowledging that AI models accumulate and remix human wisdom without genuine understanding or consent. By applying asteya rigorously, we create knowledge platforms that honor the humans behind the data—scholars, writers, creators—whose work enables AI capability. This ethical foundation prevents the creation of systems that appear to generate knowledge while actually appropriating it, ensuring that the future of knowledge remains rooted in honesty and respect.