Data Sharing Key To Solving Economic, Societal Challenges in Asia
As much as half of the data currently generated by online interactions is amassed by less than 100 companies, and this poses a risk of a ‘data divide’ that can limit the opportunities that data can enable, says a new white paper released by Microsoft with support from the Open Data Institute (ODI).
Titled “Sharing data for impact: Lessons from data sharing initiatives in Asia”, the white paper outlined various lessons to help governments and organizations in Asia fully realize the benefits of data sharing and collaboration.
The power of data sharing
Written for Asia, the white paper incorporates learnings from 10 case studies of data collaboration across markets in Asia: including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan.
According to the report, the rapid growth in data, together with cloud computing and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), is creating incredible opportunities across Asia. However, a data divide can potentially result in the economic value of data flowing only to a few economies and companies.
Fortunately, this data divide is not inevitable. In fact, there is growing, widespread recognition across Asia of the value of greater data sharing, reflected in government policies and concrete data collaboration initiatives.
For data leaders or data scientists looking into data sharing, the report noted how a lack of trust can undermine data-sharing initiatives, though this can be overcome by addressing commercial sensitivities with efforts to protect privacy and security. Moreover, interoperability and usability will need to be supported with the use of data agreements and data standards.
“Data sharing is most successful when governments and organizations work together to drive an enabling environment that upholds security, privacy and interoperability. We are committed to building a world where data works for everyone. This means getting data to those who need it, particularly in response to UN Sustainable Development Goals,” said Jack Hardinges, program lead of Data Institutions at the Open Data Institute.
“The case studies that inform the whitepaper’s learnings show us that Asia is on the way to establishing an open, trustworthy data ecosystem – and can take intentional steps to close the ‘data divide’ in ways that benefit societies and economies,” he said.
Access the white paper here (pdf).
Image credit: iStockphoto/ValeryBrozhinsky
