As 2024 comes to a close, The GovLab’s Data Program reflects on a year of continued efforts to advance data-driven problem-solving and collaboration and enable the responsible use of technology to address complex societal challenges.

In the below, we want to feature some of the ways we’ve kept on building (and clearing) the path toward more systematic, innovative, and responsible data collaborations —providing a foundation for effective decision making, informed policies, and impactful solutions in an ever-evolving world. 

For instance, in 2024, we: 

• Launched the Fourth Wave of Open Data, a new conceptual framework exploring how generative AI and open data can supplement each other and support the public good; 

• Created a digital platform to support Data for Philanthropy, a resource that helps philanthropies use data-driven methods across the grant-making cycle;

• Launched a data collaboration framework for establishing public-private data collaborations within Abu Dhabi, outlining both an enabling environment and a step-by-step implementation approach;

• Advanced the responsible use of technology for peace by promoting and supporting innovative start-ups through the Kluz Prize for PeaceTech.

• Pioneered a framework and evaluation tool for assessing civic trust for the City of New York’s Civic Engagement Commission;

• Pioneered a new taxonomy of anticipatory methods for migration policy making, categorizing them into three categories: Experience-based, Expertise-based, and Exploration-based methods, and identified eight key elements to consider when selecting anticipatory methods for migration policy.

• Launched the updated AI Localism Repository, with new search capabilities, case examples, and a specialized tagging system to advance our understanding on how cities are governing artificial intelligence; 

• Made data responsibility mainstream with the Learning Package for Responsible Data for Refugee Children, a resource being used to support UNICEF and UNHCR Offices around the world in understanding the importance of data and ways they can more responsibly use it in their operations;

• Developed the stages of a New Science of Questions and generated awareness of the value of participatory approaches for questioning with social changemakers;

• Helped Digital Self-Determination (DSD) to become a new accepted principle of data governance by the United Nations. The UN indeed highlighted DSD as an emerging foundation for equitable data practices in their recent publication Proposed Normative Foundations for International Data Governance.

Below, we provide more detail on each of these projects and some of our other efforts of note. None of this would of course have been possible without our partners including IOM, UNICEF, UNHCR, WHO, the European Commission, the Paul Ramsay Foundation,  Agence Française de Développement, The Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD), Siegel Endowment, Microsoft, Henry Luce Foundation, the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Kluz Ventures, Urban AI, and New York City’s Civic Engagement Commission.

Looking forward to working together in 2025! 

Insights and Initiatives

Open Data Policy Lab

The Open Data Policy Lab, a collaboration between The GovLab and Microsoft, supports decision-makers at all levels to promote responsible data reuse and sharing for societal benefit and equitable economic opportunity. In 2024, the Open Data Policy Lab advanced its work through publications, blogs, events, and other resources focused on the intersections of open data and generative AI, and data stewardship.

The Open Data Policy Lab published several reports and blogs in 2024, addressing the evolving challenges and opportunities in open data governance, generative AI integration, and data stewardship practices:

• A Fourth Wave of Open Data? Exploring the Spectrum of Scenarios for Open Data and Generative AI: This report explores five scenarios where open data and generative AI can intersect and the possibility for generative AI to initiate a new Fourth Wave of Open Data. In this Fourth wave, open data is made AI-ready, open data becomes conversational, data quality and provenance is improved, and open data harnesses a data commons approach. 

• Are We Entering a ‘Data Winter’?: This article highlights an urgent need to prevent further declines in efforts to open data for reuse in the public interest. Recent trends—such as restricted access to social media data for research, the growing privatization of climate data, and stagnation in open data policy—signal a troubling shift that could culminate in a “data winter.” The piece calls for renewed commitments to open data and data stewardship to ensure data remains accessible and actionable for societal good.

• Data Commons: Under Threat by or The Solution for a Generative AI Era? Rethinking Data Access and Re-use: Published in Data & Policy, this blog explores the challenges and opportunities that generative AI presents for data commons. It introduces a ten-part framework to guide the reimagining and reinvigoration of data commons for the AI era. Rather than prescribing a definitive model, the piece lays out pathways for further exploration into how data commons can remain resilient and equitable in the face of evolving technological landscapes.

• Tackling 4 “Common” Problems: Accelerating the Next Generation of Data Commons at a Time of Artificial Intelligence: Published in Data & Policy, this article examines the challenges and opportunities for advancing the next generation of data commons in the context of artificial intelligence. It highlights findings from a recent MIT study that revealed increasing restrictions on data access, particularly high-quality datasets used for training AI models, contributing to what the authors term “generative AI-nxiety.” These trends underscore a growing imbalance in the data ecosystem, threatening the availability and equitable use of data commons—repositories managed for public interest.

• The Current State of Open Data and Data Stewardship: Global Perspectives from the Data Stewards Alumni: Findings from the Data Stewards Pulse Survey highlight mixed progress in data openness, with an average rating of 3.4 out of 5. Respondents stressed the need for guardrails and new policies to ensure responsible data use.

• The Emergence of National Data Initiatives: Comparing Proposals and Initiatives in the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States: This Data & Policy blog seeks to start some initial research on the emergence of national data initiatives by examining three national data initiatives and exploring their strategic orientations and broader implications. These initiatives include the United Kingdom’s proposed National Data Library, Germany’s National Data Institute, and the proposed National Secure Data Service in the United States.

• The Emergent Landscape of Data Commons: A Brief Survey and Comparison of Existing Initiatives: This blog explores how data commons enable access to high-quality datasets for public good. The blog featured examples of data commons supporting innovation across fields like health research, mobility, humanitarian aid, and sustainable food systems.

• Trust but Verify – A Due Diligence Guide for Non-Traditional Data Initiatives
  This report offers a guide to responsibly leverage non-traditional data sources in public-interest projects. In particular, the report proposes: (1) A series of criteria to determine the relevance of non-traditional data to specific questions, needs, and initiatives, (2) A six-step due diligence process to ensure non-traditional data (if deemed relevant) is used responsibly, and (3) An additional due diligence diagnostic tool in case high risk is identified during the due diligence process.

The Open Data Policy Lab also participated in several events throughout the year, including:

• On June 13, 2024, The Open Data Policy Lab attended the United States Department of Commerce convening on The Future of Open Data and Generative AI in Washington, DC. This event was part of the Department of Commerce’s Request for Information on AI-Ready Open Government Data Assets. At the event, The Open Data Policy Lab participated in a roundtable discussion on partnerships around open data and generative AI and shared key learnings from our report on the Fourth Wave of Open Data.

• On December 11, 2024, The Open Data Policy Lab delivered a presentation at Crisis Ready’s conference, “Novel data, AI, and disasters: from Data to Public Policy.” Stefaan spoke about the requirements for making open data AI-ready in the context of humanitarian disaster response efforts. 

Repositories and Observatories

The Open Data Policy Repository is a resource that documents recent policy developments related to open data, data reuse, and data collaboration worldwide. It provides an overview of evolving data governance practices and frameworks, offering insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. Recent updates to the repository include new features such as region filters, sorting options by date of the latest action, and expanded categories for collaboration types and sectors. These enhancements make it easier to navigate and analyze policy trends, including increased international collaboration, sector-specific initiatives for data reuse, and the development of digital platform governments. By cataloging these developments, the repository helps track efforts to advance responsible and collaborative data sharing across sectors.

The Open Data Policy Lab’s Observatory of Examples of How Open Data and Generative AI Intersect showcases over 80 real-world use cases from various domains and regions. Drawing on insights from the report “A Fourth Wave of Open Data? Exploring the Spectrum of Scenarios for Open Data and Generative AI,” the Observatory highlights open data and generative AI applications ranging from enhancing administrative processes in government to improving cross-border data access for researchers. Recent updates to the Observatory include 15 new additions, which demonstrate generative AI’s growing role in enhancing service delivery, statistics, and culturally specific applications. These examples include generative AI tools that support service delivery, conversational systems for data analysis, and datasets that enhance AI output quality. The update also underscores the expanding role of governments in leveraging generative AI responsibly.

Third Annual State of Open Data Policy Summit

On June 18, 2024, the Open Data Policy Lab, in collaboration with Microsoft, hosted its Third Annual State of Open Data Policy Summit. This year’s event explored the evolving open data landscape and posed a central question: “Are we entering a Data Winter or a New Wave of Open Data?” The Summit brought together leading data experts from the public and private sectors to discuss challenges and opportunities in open data, particularly in the age of generative AI.

The discussions highlighted several emerging themes, including the critical importance of high-quality, high-value datasets, the growing role of data commons as shared infrastructure, and the need to adopt an ecosystem approach to promote equity and inclusivity in data governance. Participants reflected on current trends and debated strategies to advance open data while addressing issues of access, collaboration, and emerging technologies.

Following the event, Andrew J. Zahuranec, Stefaan Verhulst, and Adrienne Schmoeker published a blog summarizing the Summit's key discussions and takeaways. Titled "Reflections on the Third Annual State of Open Data Policy Summit", the blog outlines the major themes discussed during the sessions and emphasizes the importance of a collaborative, ecosystem-focused approach to overcoming barriers in open data governance. 

AI Localism

AI Localism focuses on how local governments and decision-makers address the governance of artificial intelligence to meet the unique needs and challenges of their communities. In contrast to broader national or global frameworks, AI Localism highlights the importance of context-specific approaches, enabling policymakers to calibrate AI governance to local conditions. By fostering proximity and immediacy, this approach aims to improve effectiveness, accountability, and trust in AI deployment.

In 2024, the project expanded its resources and outreach. On July 19, The GovLab launched the updated AI Localism Repository with new search capabilities, case examples, and a specialized tagging system. The repository now categorizes global AI Localism initiatives by geographic region, governance mechanisms, and sector focus. These enhancements provide policymakers, researchers, and practitioners with a more comprehensive tool to track AI policies, regulatory developments, and public sector innovations.

• Ethical AI and World Belief Systems: This blog, published through the Data Stewards Network, explores the intersection of AI ethics with various world belief systems. By examining how different belief systems understand concepts like consciousness, morality, and the role of technology in society, it highlights the need for AI ethics guidelines that are more inclusive and considerate of diverse worldviews.

The project also contributed to critical discussions during AI Week 2024 on April 17. The GovLab co-hosted a panel, in collaboration with Urban AI, that explored how AI Localism can foster digital self-determination. The event featured discussions on strategies cities like Bordeaux, Brussels, and Portland are using to govern AI responsibly and inclusively at the community level. Panelists underscored the role of participatory governance frameworks in addressing issues such as privacy, autonomy, and ethical AI use. Through updated tools, case studies, and convenings, the AI Localism project continues to document and analyze local efforts, providing actionable insights for advancing responsible AI governance.

Big Data for Migration Alliance

The Big Data for Migration (BD4M) Alliance is an initiative in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration’s Global Migration Data Analysis Centre (GMDAC) and the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, aimed at improving migration policy and decision-making by leveraging innovative data and anticipatory methods. This project addresses the complex and dynamic nature of migration, shaped by interconnected drivers such as climate change, political instability, and economic challenges.

BD4M’s work in 2024 focused on combining traditional and innovative methods to better anticipate migration trends. The project supported a shift toward proactive migration strategies by curating resources, sharing case studies, and developing tools that highlight evidence-based approaches for policymakers and practitioners:

• Launch of the “Building a Policy Compass: Navigating Future Migration with Anticipatory Methods” Report: The report provides an overview of the challenges and criteria to consider when selecting and using anticipatory methods for migration policy, and deep dives into three key anticipatory methods—Scenario Planning, Early Warning Systems (EWS), and Cross-Impact Analysis (CIA)—analyzing each of them based on the identified challenges.

• Launch of the Migration Anticipation Repository: A dynamic, living repository of over 80 real-world examples was introduced, showcasing how innovative forecasting and foresight methods can anticipate migration patterns

In 2024, BD4M explored key themes through a series of blogs, focusing on tools and strategies for anticipating migration trends:

• 70 Years of Trying to Improve Global Migration Statistics: Time for a New Approach: Examines historical challenges in global migration statistics and proposes forward-looking solutions.

• Building a Policy Compass: Navigating Future Migration with Anticipatory Methods: Highlights the need for a blended approach to anticipatory methods, including scenario planning, early warning systems, and cross-impact analysis, to guide evidence-based, proactive migration policies.

• Selecting Anticipatory Methods for Migration Policy: Identifies eight criteria for selecting effective anticipatory methods, emphasizing factors like data availability, resource constraints, and stakeholder engagement​.

DATA4Philanthropy

DATA4Philanthropy is a peer-to-peer learning network developed with the support of the Paul Ramsay Foundation launched in February 2024 with the goal of advancing the responsible use of data-driven methods and tools across philanthropic grant-making processes. The platform, now also supported by the Siegel Endowment aims to: 

• Demystify Data and Methods: DATA4Philanthropy provides a series of primers on innovative data-driven methodologies. 

• Illustrate Uses Through Case Studies: DATA4Philanthropy offers tangible case studies on how data has been applied within the philanthropic and social sectors. 

• Curate Updates and Recent Developments: DATA4Philanthropy curates the latest innovative data-driven research and initiatives relevant to the grant-making cycle. 

• Build a Community: DATA4Philanthropy supports a growing network of philanthropic data leaders interested in applying innovative data-driven methodologies in their work and facilitating connections with data innovators.

Toward this end, the team developed four in-depth primers on how innovative data-driven methodologies can be used across the grant-making process:

• Participatory Sourcing of Questions: How to scope, formulate, and assess data-actionable research questions 

• Digital Ethnography: How to use digital technologies to learn about the shared ambitions, behavior, culture, and experiences of communities

• Living Evidence and Visualization: How to (1) gather and combine evidence into a consolidated format using computational tools; and (2) update rapidly as new evidence emerges

• Futures Studies: How to examine systems change over time to anticipate and prepare for alternative future outcomes. 

Throughout the year, the team also produced several blogs exploring concepts such as impact and evaluation, the use of AI in philanthropy, and open philanthropy. A few highlights include:

• Data as a Catalyst for Philanthropy: Originally published by the Philanthropy Europe Association, this article highlights the challenges faced by modern philanthropy and calls for reimagining how decisions are made and programs are designed. It underscores the critical role of data in helping philanthropic organizations optimize their decision-making processes, enable cross-sector partnerships, and enhance their impact. The piece explores how data stewardship can empower philanthropy to navigate the digital age more effectively, ensuring its practices are fair, inclusive, and aligned with the public good​.

• How to Measure Impact in Times of Complexity and Uncertainty: This blog explores challenges in philanthropic impact evaluation and presents a framework developed by Prof. Ingrid Burkett and A/Prof. Joanne McNeill. The framework categorizes evaluation approaches based on when they occur and their intended goals, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods. It highlights how values and beliefs influence evaluation processes, cautions against oversimplifying complexity during uncertain times, and emphasizes the importance of using diverse methods that are adaptable to varying contexts.

• The Importance of Philanthropy in the Generative AI Era: The blog examines the role of philanthropy in addressing both the opportunities and risks of generative AI. Drawing on Kelly Born’s “10 Ways Funders Can Address Generative AI”, it provides areas where funders can contribute, such as improving transparency in AI infrastructure, supporting ethical AI development, and fostering collaboration across sectors. The blog highlights the need for tailored training programs for public and nonprofit actors, updated governance frameworks, and more inclusive approaches to ensure AI’s societal impacts are effectively managed.

The team also participated in two events hosted by Philanthropy Australia:

• The GovLab and the Paul Ramsay Foundation participated in a webinar on February 5, 2024, hosted by Philanthropy Australia to launch the DATA4Philanthropy platform

• On September 10, 2024, The GovLab’s Stefaan G. Verhulst and Hannah Chafetz led a session titled “Delivering a New Science of Questioning for Philanthropy” with Philanthropy Australia’s Impact and Evaluation Network. The hour-long event focused on how philanthropies can co-develop and prioritize questions with communities of interest and use participatory approaches can improve how philanthropies can measure impact. 

International Network on Digital Self-Determination

The International Network on Digital Self-Determination (IDSD) focuses on empowering individuals and communities to make informed decisions about the management and reuse of their data, ensuring benefits to both themselves and society. The initiative translates digital self-determination (DSD) principles into practice by connecting diverse global actors, exploring use cases, and developing frameworks to guide ethical data governance.

Throughout the year, IDSD published reports and blogs exploring the principles, relevance, and practical applications of DSD, highlighting its role in fostering equitable data governance and empowering communities:

• A DSD Approach to the Challenges of Mass Data Sharing: This piece examines the challenges of mass data sharing in smart cities, focusing on the merging of public and private data systems that became prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing on a report by KAS (Singapore), it highlights governance issues in areas such as health and education, emphasizing concerns about data integrity, citizen awareness, and the adequacy of existing regulatory frameworks. It explores how DSD principles address these challenges through citizen-centric governance, stakeholder participation, and a tailored model for complex data-sharing ecosystems. 

• Four Key Steps for a Responsible and Equitable Data Future: This blog discusses four key steps for advancing the goals of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) in efforts to create a more inclusive and secure digital ecosystem. These steps include advancing DSD through context-specific governance models that incorporate community input; fostering systematic data collaboration to address data silos and enable public good uses; re-imagining data stewardship by defining clear roles, responsibilities, and best practices; and adopting a question-centric approach to prioritize global digital challenges effectively. 

• Julia Janssen’s Fight Against Digital Heteronomy: Julia Janssen’s project Mapping the Oblivion explores the concept of digital heteronomy, visualizing how Netflix’s algorithmic prediction models shape and constrain human choices. By revealing the influence of data-driven systems on individual autonomy, Janssen raises critical questions about the trade-offs between convenience and personal agency in an algorithmic world. Her work advocates for greater control over personal data and highlights the importance of preserving spontaneity, creativity, and freedom in digital spaces. The blog emphasizes the need for systems that value fairness and individuality over efficiency and profit to ensure human agency remains central in the digital age. 

• Leveraging Data for Global Progress: This blog outlines a proposal for an International Decade of Data (IDD) from 2025-2035, initiated under the G20, to enhance global collaboration in data governance. It identifies challenges such as unequal access to data, balancing privacy with data sharing, and fragmented governance structures. The proposal suggests initiatives like promoting DSD, establishing structured data-sharing agreements, developing experimental data sandboxes, and defining roles for data stewards. The G20 is positioned as a key player in coordinating these efforts to address data governance challenges and support sustainable development goals. 

• Positioning Digital Self-Determination with Other Government Models: This blog examines how proposed AI governance models, such as France, Germany, and Italy’s “mandatory self-regulation” framework, align with DSD principles. It highlights tools like model cards, transparency requirements, and external oversight to ensure responsible AI applications while emphasizing the regulation of data use over technology. The piece draws parallels with DSD’s focus on mutual trust, power balance, and participatory data governance, comparing these efforts to initiatives like the UK AI Bill and U.S. legislative proposals.

• Responsible Data Re-Use in Developing Countries: This report by Stefaan G. Verhulst, Laura Sandor, Natalia Mejia Pardo, Elena Murray (The Data Tank), and Peter Addo (Agence Française de Développement) explores how data re-use in developing countries can be made more equitable and trusted. The authors highlight challenges like agency asymmetries, insufficient infrastructure, and distrust in data governance frameworks. To address these, they propose a "Social License" model, which emphasizes community-centric engagement, trust-building, and collective decision-making beyond traditional individual consent. The report includes case studies from Colombia, Senegal, and Nepal, illustrating successful approaches to data re-use through public participation, tailored engagement, and context-specific governance strategies​.

This past year, the network released five use cases showcasing how DSD principles are applied across sectors:

• Education: Examines how DSD principles can support equitable access to digital education resources while ensuring data privacy for students.

• Migrant Rights: Develops frameworks for migrants to have control over how their data is used, fostering trust and access to essential services.

• Mobile Money: Explores Kenya’s mobile money sector to enhance financial inclusion while prioritizing data transparency and trust.

• Open Finance: Applies DSD to empower individuals to make informed financial decisions through responsible data governance.

• Tourism: Addresses overtourism in Lucerne, Switzerland, through digital solutions that respect personal data autonomy while improving visitor flow management​.

IDSD published a three-part blog series by Mark Findlay that examines the foundational principles, relevance, and practical applications of DSD within the context of data governance:

• So, What About Digital Self-Determination?: The first part of the series introduces the foundational principles of DSD, emphasizing its role in empowering individuals and communities to manage their data in an increasingly digital landscape. Findlay highlights how DSD moves beyond traditional governance approaches, focusing on trust, transparency, and mutual benefits in data relationships​.

• The Importance of Digital Self-Determination: Why It Matters to You: This second installment examines why DSD is critical in today’s data-driven world. It underscores how DSD addresses gaps left by existing frameworks, particularly those focused on individual privacy or AI regulation. The blog argues that DSD is essential for fostering equitable and responsible data use, ensuring communities retain agency and control over their data​.

• Exploring Use Cases and Integrating Digital Self-Determination with Data Governance:  The final blog shifts to practical applications, showcasing how DSD can be operationalized across various contexts. Findlay discusses real-world examples and use cases where DSD principles have been implemented to enhance data governance and community participation. The blog emphasizes that DSD is complementary to existing regulations and can help address power asymmetries within data ecosystems.

In 2024, IDSD played a pivotal role in advancing conversations on digital sovereignty and equitable data governance through key events and global engagements:

• On January 17, 2024, during the 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, The GovLab, in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), officially launched the International Network of Digital Self-Determination website. The session, titled “Navigating Today’s Geopolitical Landscape through the Lens of Digital Sovereignty and Digital Self-Determination,” began with a keynote that highlighted the challenges and opportunities of digital data governance. Discussions explored the concepts of digital sovereignty and self-determination, emphasizing innovative approaches to empower individuals and communities while addressing global data asymmetries. 

• The IDSD participated in the 27th Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) in Geneva from April 16-17, 2024. The event included a speech by Stefaan Verhulst, addressing the potential of DSD to enhance data reuse while ensuring equitable governance. Discussions covered the challenges of power asymmetries, the need to redefine "communities" in data governance, and strategies for balancing individual and collective data rights.

• IDSD participated in ICTforAg, an annual convening focused on addressing challenges in agrifood systems across low and middle-income countries. Held on May 30, 2024, the session explored how DSD can empower farmers to manage and control their agricultural data, highlighting equitable data governance, farmer agency, and real-world examples of DSD principles improving livelihoods and balancing power dynamics in agrifood systems.

• On June 11, 2024, The GovLab participated in the Privacy Symposium at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, contributing to the Data for Good panel session with a focus on DSD. Held in Aula Mario Baratto, the session explored the importance of empowering individuals and communities to manage their data in ways that benefit both themselves and society. The panel discussed how data-driven insights can address pressing social and environmental challenges, the necessary steps to ensure equitable access to data and its benefits, and the role of public and private partnerships in maximizing data's potential for good. 

• The Swiss Data Space Forum, hosted by the Swiss Data Alliance, marked its first conference exploring data spaces on October 30, 2024. Co-chaired by Stefaan Verhulst of The GovLab and Boris Otto of the Fraunhofer Institute for Software and Systems Engineering ISST. Stefaan Verhulst emphasized the critical role of data commons and systematic collaboration to unlock data-driven innovations, enabling public value creation while balancing sovereignty and shared access. IDSD also participated in the Forum, sharing insights on how DSD principles can guide the development of ethical, community-centric data spaces that empower individuals with control over their data.

• From November 12-15, 2024, The GovLab participated in the UN World Data Forum in Medellín, Colombia, an event organized to spur data innovation, mobilize political and financial support for data, and advance sustainable development. The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst joined several key panels, including a high-level plenary under Thematic Area 3 on Building Trust, Protection, and Ethics in Data. This session explored how to balance the full value of data use with protecting privacy and rights—an area where DSD plays a critical role. Additionally, Verhulst participated in discussions on the migration data ecosystem and data governance fit for children, emphasizing the importance of trust, ethics, and inclusivity in the evolving data landscape.

• On December 6, 2024, we participated in the event "Multi-stakeholder Approaches to Govern and Design New Digital Public Infrastructure", co-organized by the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI) and Co-Develop in Brasília, Brazil. During the Panel on Participatory Governance of Digital Public Infrastructure, we presented our perspective on how the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) movement could benefit from adopting the concept of DSD as a complement to the dominant narrative of digital sovereignty. Our intervention argued that while digital sovereignty emphasizes state control over infrastructure, DSD expands this framework by centering community agency, shared governance, and responsible data practices.

Kluz Prize for PeaceTech

The Kluz Prize for PeaceTech is a yearly initiative by Kluz Ventures that aims to recognize and support innovations that leverage technology to promote peace, resolve conflicts, and safeguard human rights across the globe. In 2024, the initiative continued to promote PeaceTech through events, publications, and discussions.

The GovLab hosted a webinar on May 31, 2024, titled “PeaceTech: Trailblazing Technologies for Peace.” The session brought together experts from the PeaceTech community to reflect on their experiences developing technologies for peace and the progress made since participating in the 2023 Prize. 

On September 20, 2024, The GovLab participated in the annual Kluz Prize for PeaceTech Award Ceremony. The event brought together leaders, policymakers, peacebuilders, and technologists to showcase innovations that help foster peace, resolve conflict, or rebuild post-conflict. The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst moderated a panel discussion focusing on the opportunities and barriers to accelerating emerging technologies for peace. The event honored four projects–Aerobotics7, the Data Entry and Exploration Platform (DEEP) by the Danish Refugee Council, Lunasonde, and the VIEWS research consortium–for their contributions to the PeaceTech movement.

As part of this work, The GovLab produced several blogs with Kluz Ventures:

• How Artificial Intelligence Can Support Peace: Presents case studies showcasing AI applications in conflict prevention, humanitarian efforts, and post-conflict recovery–drawing on the work of distinguished Kluz Prize for PeaceTech participants. 

• Rethinking Dual-Use Technology: Examines how technologies traditionally used for military or commercial purposes can be reimagined to support peacebuilding. The blog introduces the concept of “triple use,” where technologies can serve defense, commercial, and humanitarian goals, and discusses the challenges and opportunities for scaling such solutions.

• Insights from the 2024 Kluz Prize for PeaceTech Award Ceremony: Highlights key discussions from the event, which explored the role of emerging technologies in fostering peace and addressing global conflicts. Panelists emphasized the importance of building reliable data infrastructure, improving collaboration across sectors, and addressing barriers to scaling PeaceTech solutions. ​

• The Future of Peacebuilding: Why Investing in PeaceTech is Essential in Today’s Geopolitics: Explores the role of technology in peacebuilding and conflict prevention within today’s geopolitical landscape. It argues for investing in “peacetech” — the responsible use of technology to build peace and prevent conflicts — as an essential strategy to address global challenges. Highlighting applications such as early warning systems, AI-driven conflict prediction models, and humanitarian digital infrastructure, the piece emphasizes the importance of ethical standards, international cooperation, and digital solidarity to ensure technology fosters stability, inclusivity, and global security.

• Unlocking Technology for Peacebuilding: The Munich Security Conference’s Role in Empowering a PeaceTech Movement: Examines discussions from the Munich Security Conference on the role of technology in peacebuilding amidst rising global tensions. It emphasizes the potential of “Peacetech” technologies aimed at preventing conflict, supporting humanitarian efforts, and fostering long-term peace. The piece explores case studies, including the use of satellite imagery, AI-driven tools, and digital platforms for early conflict detection, community engagement, and post-conflict reconstruction. 

A New Science of Questions

Image by Laurin Steffens from Unsplash

Questions Science focuses on the importance of formulating, prioritizing, and addressing questions to support effective and adaptive governance. It recognizes questions as essential tools for uncovering insights, identifying biases, and improving collective decision-making. This approach emphasizes participatory methods, such as co-creation and crowdsourcing, to incorporate diverse perspectives and ensure decision-making processes reflect the needs of those most affected. By shifting focus from answers to the quality of questions asked, this science aims to bridge gaps in policymaking, leverage technological advancements like AI, and address systemic challenges more effectively. 

• Selected Readings: Exploring the Power of Questions For Society: Through the Data Stewards Network, this collection of selected readings explores new approaches to formulating questions, how questions benefit public policy-making and democracy, the importance of increasing the capacity for questioning at the individual level, and the role of questions in the age of AI and prompt engineering. Taken as a whole, they underscore the need for a new science of questioning—a new discipline focused on integrating participatory approaches for identifying, prioritizing, and addressing questions for society.

• The Critical Role of Questions in Building Resilient Democracies: Published in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, this article explores the role of questions in strengthening democracies amid global challenges such as declining trust in institutions and rising social fragmentation. It highlights how inclusive, iterative questioning processes can enhance policymaking, address biases, and foster collective intelligence. The piece introduces a “new science of questions,” which emphasizes participatory approaches and the integration of diverse perspectives to guide more effective and adaptive governance.

Responsible Data for Children

The Responsible Data for Children (RD4C) initiative, a collaboration between UNICEF and The GovLab, focuses on advancing best practices for managing and using children’s data responsibly. The initiative addresses practical considerations across the data lifecycle, balancing the potential benefits of data-driven interventions with the critical need to safeguard children’s rights and well-being.

In 2024, RD4C released several resources and hosted expert discussions that addressed emerging challenges in the context of AI and non-traditional data sources. Key highlights include:

• Learning Package for Responsible Data for Refugee Children: This is a toolkit and 90-minute webinar series that provided guidance to UN officials on ways that development and humanitarian practitioners around the world can reinforce data responsibility principles and practices in their daily work with and for children. It helped practitioners understand why data is important, what data responsibility matters, and what principles they should embrace when it comes to data use in development contexts.

• Empowering Youth with Child-Aligned AI: This guest blog authored by John-Matthew Conely, examines the intersection of the RD4C Principles with AI. The piece highlights how AI systems must be tailored to protect children’s unique needs, often overlooked in broader AI discussions​.

• On the Digital Table, Youth Need a Voice, Not Just a Seat: This guest blog discusses the importance of involving young people in shaping data policies as active contributors rather than passive participants. It examines barriers to youth engagement, including outdated legislation, limited corporate responsiveness to change, and exclusionary policymaking. The blog advocates for formal roles for youth in decision-making processes to ensure that digital policies reflect diverse perspectives and address the specific experiences of young people.

• Responsible Data for Children in the Context of AI and Emerging Technology: The GovLab’s Andrew J. Zahuranec, Stefaan Verhulst, Eugenia Olliaro, Friederike Schuur, and Krisana Messerli published reflections from an expert conversation exploring the ethical considerations and challenges of ensuring child-centered approaches in AI governance and implementation.

• Responsibly Using and Reusing Non-Traditional Data Sources for Service Provision to Children: This report provides due diligence frameworks for implementing non-traditional data in services aimed at children, addressing risks such as data misuse while underscoring opportunities for improving social interventions​.

• Who’s Really Watching? The Hidden Data Risks of Children’s “Phone Watches”: This guest blog examines the privacy and governance challenges associated with smart devices designed for children. It highlights the collection of sensitive data, such as location and biometric information, by these devices and identifies gaps in informed consent, regulatory oversight, and industry self-regulation. The blog calls for stronger legal frameworks, enhanced parental digital literacy, and greater youth participation in shaping data policies to ensure children’s data is handled responsibly. 

• Why Responsible Data for Children Matters When Designing a Child Wellbeing Monitoring Program: This blog emphasizes the importance of trust, system performance, and harm prevention when handling data for children. The publication highlighted lessons from UNICEF China’s efforts to track the well-being of vulnerable children through responsible data practices​.

• Youth Leading the Way: Innovating Data Governance in Humanitarian Aid: This guest blog examines the dual risks and opportunities of data use in humanitarian contexts, such as the potential for data misuse and the benefits of improved targeting of aid through data analytics. The blog discusses youth-driven innovations in data governance, focusing on their efforts to raise awareness of data policies, address data inconsistencies, promote ethical AI practices, and advocate for transparent data sharing in humanitarian efforts. 

Cross-Cutting Publications and Thought Leadership

Publications this year included a diverse array of topics reflecting our expertise across multiple domains:

• Access, Signal, Action: Data Stewardship Lessons from Valencia’s Floods: Published through The Data Tank, this article highlights the devastating floods in Valencia as a case study to examine challenges in accessing and utilizing critical data during crises. Despite the abundance of data, signals were missed, obscured, or delayed, raising critical questions about data stewardship. The article underscores the need for timely access to actionable data, the importance of filtering signals from noise, and the challenge of turning clear signals into coordinated action. It advocates for improving data accessibility, curating trusted information, and integrating community participation to strengthen crisis response systems.

• Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic? Navigating the First and Last Mile Challenges in Data Utilization: This article examines whether the world is prepared for the next pandemic. It emphasizes ongoing challenges in accessing and reusing data—particularly non-traditional sources—needed for pandemic preparedness and response. Drawing on insights from a high-level workshop held in Brussels as part of the ESCAPE program, the authors present ten recommendations to advance data access and reuse. These include addressing first-mile issues of data availability and last-mile challenges of translating data into action to ensure a more resilient and adaptive global health system.

• Civic Trust: What’s in a Concept?: Through the Data Stewards Network, this piece explored the concept of civic trust amid a noticeable decline in trust toward institutions. The work, conducted in collaboration with the New York City Civic Engagement Commission, identified challenges in defining and measuring civic trust. It presented a framework categorizing civic trust into descriptive, diagnostic, and evaluative measures to better understand its nuances and develop actionable strategies for strengthening public engagement.

• Key Lesson of This Year’s Nobel Prize: The Importance of Unlocking Data Reuse Responsibly to Advance Science and Improve People’s Lives: Published through The Data Tank, this article explores how the 2023 Nobel Prize for Chemistry highlights the importance of unlocking data reuse responsibly to advance science and improve people’s lives. It emphasizes that the breakthroughs in predicting protein structures, which have significant medical applications, were made possible by the availability of standardized, high-quality datasets. However, it argues that such open and curated datasets remain rare, underscoring the need to promote responsible data reuse to accelerate scientific progress and innovation.

• Making the Global Digital Compact a Reality: Published through the United Nations University, this article emphasizes the importance of implementing the UN Secretary-General’s Global Digital Compact to address pressing digital governance challenges. It outlines four pathways for operationalizing the Compact to create a more vibrant and responsive global digital commons: advancing digital self-determination, making data collaboration more systematic, reimagining data stewardship, and prioritizing question-centric approaches over data-centric ones.

• Misuse versus Missed Use – the Urgent Need for Chief Data Stewards in the Age of AI: Published on the Data & Policy blog, this piece highlights the growing role of Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) in ensuring responsible AI use. It argues that beyond avoiding misuse, CAIOs must also focus on opportunities for public good. Drawing on the role of Chief Data Stewards (CDS), the article underscores how CDS competencies—such as fostering data collaboration, ensuring data governance, and enabling data reusability—can offer a valuable template for CAIOs to balance risks and opportunities in AI governance. 

• Organizations Face Challenges in Timely Compliance With the EU AI Act: Published in MIT Sloan Management Review in collaboration with Boston Consulting Group, this analysis explores the challenges organizations face in achieving timely compliance with the European Union’s AI Act, the first comprehensive AI law. The piece highlights expert perspectives on organizational readiness to address AI-related risks, noting significant challenges and the need for considerable expertise to ensure compliance. It concludes with recommendations to help organizations effectively meet the Act’s requirements.

• Outpacing Pandemics: Solving the First and Last Mile Challenges of Data-Driven Policy Making: This Data & Policy publication examines the “first-mile” challenge of accessing and analyzing data at the onset of a pandemic and the “last mile” challenge of translating that data into actionable policies. It underscores the importance of institutionalizing data stewardship and highlights the role of innovative approaches, such as Decision Accelerator Labs, in overcoming barriers to effective data use. The piece offers recommendations for closing gaps in data availability, quality, and usability to improve pandemic preparedness and response.

• Responsible Data Re-Use in Developing Countries: Social License through Public Engagement: Published as a technical report for the Agence Française de Développement, this piece explores the challenges and opportunities of data re-use in developing countries. It highlights issues such as insufficient data quality, limited infrastructure, and disparities in decision-making authority, which contribute to public distrust. To address these challenges, the report advocates for a social license approach—a community-centered framework that fosters responsible data practices, builds trust, and ensures benefits for all stakeholders. 

• Tackling Today’s Data Dichotomy: Unveiling the Paradox of Abundant Supply and Restricted Access in the Quest for Social Equity: Published in the European Union’s Bulletin on “Social Value Creation,” this piece examines the paradox of living in an era of unprecedented data supply that remains largely inaccessible due to private ownership and public sector silos. It argues for the adoption of social licensing and the expanded role of data stewards to increase access to data in ways that are responsible, responsive, and aligned with public expectations.

• The Need for Climate Data Stewardship: 10 Tensions and Reflections regarding Climate Data Governance: Published on ArXiv, this paper examines ten core tensions in climate data governance, such as the diversity of data sources, access inequalities, and balancing local needs with global imperatives. It argues for a paradigm shift toward multi-stakeholder governance and equitable data practices, emphasizing the critical role of data stewards in navigating these challenges. By fostering responsible data use, the paper highlights how climate data stewardship can contribute to more sustainable and just climate action.

• Toward a Polycentric or Distributed Approach to Artificial Intelligence & Science: Published in Frontiers, this article argues that addressing the challenges posed by AI requires a polycentric governance model—where multiple, overlapping, and autonomous centers collaboratively manage and provide access to shared resources. Drawing from Elinor Ostrom’s principles, the piece advocates for a globally and sectorally distributed approach to ensure coordination, equitable access, and collaboration across geographies and stakeholders. It highlights three key areas where such a model can help advance the AI ecosystem: access to computational resources, availability of high-quality data, and purposeful AI modeling that serves the public good​.

• Two Open Science Foundations: Data Commons and Stewardship as Pillars for Advancing the FAIR Principles and Tackling Planetary Challenges: Published in Data & Policy, this article examines how data commons and stewardship can serve as essential pillars for advancing the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) principles to address global challenges. It identifies three pressing priorities—war and peace, steering artificial intelligence, and planetary health—and emphasizes the need for reusable and interoperable data to accelerate scientific discovery and crisis response. The piece advocates for supplementing FAIR principles with data commons, which enable shared data resources, and data stewardship, which ensures responsible and systematic data reuse.

• Unleashing Collective Intelligence for Public Decision-making: The Data for Policy Community: In Data & Policy, this paper explores the evolution of the Data for Policy community from 2014 to 2023. It introduces a six-area framework that maps the interdisciplinary data-for-policy research landscape. Drawing on insights from conferences and stakeholder consultations, the framework highlights the growing role of collective intelligence, data-driven innovation, and collaboration in addressing policy challenges.

• We are Developing AI at the Detriment of the Global South — How a Focus on Responsible Data Re-use Can Make a Difference: Published in Data & Policy, this article highlights how data is the lifeblood of AI and emphasizes the importance of responsible data reuse to ensure that the Global South benefits from AI-driven innovation. It identifies power imbalances within the data ecosystem that disempower key stakeholders and undermine trust in data practices. To address these challenges, the piece proposes the concept of a “social license for reuse,” which promotes equitable, inclusive, and responsible data systems.

Global Engagements, Events, and Developments

Throughout 2024, The GovLab actively participated in global forums, workshops, and summits, fostering collaboration and sharing expertise. Below is a comprehensive list of key events:

JANUARY

• January 29-31, 2024: UNICEF, UNHCR, and The GovLab hosted a series of webinars on reinforcing data responsibility principles in humanitarian contexts, with a focus on refugee children. These 90-minute sessions highlighted the unique vulnerabilities of refugee children in a data-driven world and explored principles-led frameworks to ensure ethical and responsible data practices across all stages of data management​.

FEBRUARY

• February 25, 2024: During the 55th session of the UN Statistical Commission, The Friends of the Chair Group on Social and Demographic Statistics hosted a panel discussion titled “Key Data Demands from Policy Makers in the Social and Demographic Space.” The session explored challenges and opportunities in addressing data gaps, prioritizing research questions, and advancing social and demographic statistics to better inform policy. The GovLab contributed insights through its participation, with Stefaan Verhulst joining a panel of experts to highlight the importance of integrating user-driven approaches and strengthening data systems to meet evolving policymaker needs​.

• February 28, 2024: AISmarter Together’s Webinar: A Human-Centered Approach to AI for Democracy focused on exploring how collective intelligence (CI) and emotional intelligence (EI) can guide the ethical and effective use of AI to strengthen democratic governance. Hosted by Smarter Together, the event featured a panel of experts, including The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst. Discussions centered on leveraging human-centered approaches to harness AI for smarter governance, fostering creativity, and ensuring AI applications align with democratic values and ethical standards. 

MARCH

• March 7, 2024: The New York City Chief Technology Officer announced the establishment of an AI Steering Committee and Advisory Network to support the City’s AI Action Plan. This initiative aims to design and implement a robust governance framework and build external partnerships to address critical AI-related challenges. While the Steering Committee is comprised solely of city employees, the Advisory Network includes experts from diverse sectors. Stefaan Verhulst was selected as a key member of this group, contributing alongside other distinguished experts to ensure the city’s AI efforts are both technically sound and solutions-oriented.

• March 21, 2024: During RADAR: The Analytics Edition, The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst joined a panel discussion titled “From Data Governance to Data Discoverability: Building Trust in Data Within Your Organization.” The session explored strategies for improving data quality, fostering trust in data practices, and balancing robust governance with the need for accessible, high-quality data.

MAY

• May 9-11, 2024: The GO Open Data Conference: 2024 Unlocking Innovation Together - Breaking Barriers, Building Futures was a three-day event featuring workshops, a full-day conference, and a hackathon. The event brought together experts, innovators, and practitioners to explore themes of innovation, collaboration, and open data futures. Stefaan Verhulst participated as a panelist on the Open Futures Panel, providing insights into the evolving role of open data in shaping innovative and inclusive global futures.

• May 21-23, 2024: The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst participated in the Govtech 4 Impact World Congress held in Madrid, Spain. The Congress brought together global leaders, government officials, and innovators to address the most pressing challenges in public sector governance. The event emphasized leveraging technology to transform public services, enhance efficiencies, and deliver meaningful societal impact.

JUNE

• June 6, 2024: The GovLab participated in DataDotOrg’s Accelerate: Data for Social Impact conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The inaugural event convened global leaders across academia, philanthropy, industry, and social impact sectors to explore how data and AI can address climate change through an intersectional lens spanning public health, financial inclusion, and data privacy. Stefaan Verhulst of The GovLab joined a panel discussion on open data and privacy preservation alongside Uyi Stewart (data.org), Mercè Crosas (CODATA), and Bree McEwan (University of Toronto).

• June 19, 2024: As part of the Brazilian G20 Presidency's Virtual Workshop on Digital Government and Inclusion, Stefaan Verhulst participated in Panel 3, titled “Data Sharing for Effective Public Services.” The workshop brought together governments, international organizations, and experts to discuss how digital governments can foster inclusion, promote the digital economy, and address challenges affecting approximately one-third of the global population who lack access to essential tools and public services. The panel explored strategies for improving data-sharing practices to enhance the delivery of public services, with discussions focusing on innovative digital government solutions, knowledge sharing among G20 members, and fostering cooperation to build inclusive, trusted, and adaptable digital governance frameworks for the 21st century.

• June 26, 2024: The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst provided virtual testimony at the German Bundestag during a hearing on “Innovative Data Policy: Potential and Challenges.” The session brought together experts to discuss opportunities and barriers in advancing innovative data policies, highlighting strategies to unlock data's potential for societal benefit.

• June 30, 2024: Stefaan Verhulst joined the Humanitarian AI Today podcast for an episode on Meta's Llama Impact Grants Program, alongside Andrew Schroeder and Brent Phillips. They discussed the program's support for AI applications for social good, the impact of AI on humanitarian operations, and the importance of data accessibility, standardization, and collaboration in advancing humanitarian AI.

JULY

• July 9-11, 2024: The eighth international Data for Policy Conference held at Imperial College London, brought together global policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to explore the theme “Decoding the Future: Trustworthy Governance with AI?”. The conference featured over 130 presentations addressing responsible AI use, open data, and algorithmic governance, with a notable emphasis on equitable and ethical frameworks. Discussions included the role of data commons in fostering inclusivity and the challenges of AI governance.

• July 29-31, 2024: The NYU Tandon Center for Responsible AI and the NYU Center for Data Science convened an in-person workshop titled “Community-Informed Policies and Best-Practices for the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR).” The workshop aimed to inform policy priorities for the NAIRR by gathering perspectives from diverse stakeholders, including The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst, to enhance trustworthiness and promote equitable use of AI resources.

SEPTEMBER

• September 10-11, 2024: Statistics Korea and UNESCAP hosted a conference in Seoul focused on lessons learned and emerging trends in data governance and integration across the Asia-Pacific region. Stefaan Verhulst delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the role of non-traditional data (NTD) in addressing complex public challenges. He outlined three key challenges: addressing data asymmetries, making data collaboration systematic and sustainable, and navigating the risks of a potential "Data Winter" as access to critical data becomes increasingly restricted. Verhulst proposed 10 actionable steps to mitigate these risks, including strengthening demand for NTD, fostering data commons, building human infrastructure through Data Stewards, experimenting with data sandboxes, and advancing innovative governance models.

• September 19, 2024: New York University’s Peace Research and Education Program and Becera hosted the event “AI Across Sectors: Breaking Silos, Building Bridges,” focusing on AI applications in humanitarian action, disaster response, civic engagement, peacebuilding, and conflict resolution. The event also included cross-sector perspectives from finance, healthcare, and logistics. The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst was among the speakers, alongside representatives from organizations such as the American Red Cross, Microsoft, OpenAI, and UN Women.

OCTOBER

• October 1, 2024: The University of Toronto’s Data Sciences Institute hosted its Data Sciences Institute Research Day, bringing together collaborators from academia, industry, and government to explore advancements in data science research. Stefaan Verhulst of The GovLab delivered the keynote address, titled “Navigating the Emergent Data Winter: Reimagining Data Access and Stewardship in the AI Era.” His presentation examined the growing restrictions on data access, the implications for data-driven research and public interest initiatives, and strategies to improve data openness through data collaboratives and stewardship. The event also featured lightning talks and presentations from leading experts in data science.

• October 10-11, 2024: The workshop "Building Bridges Across 'Open' Streams," hosted by the Open Source Initiative (OSI) at Linagora’s Villa Good Tech and supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, explored the intersection of open data, open source, and AI development. Stefaan Verhulst participated alongside 20 experts from diverse fields to address critical challenges in data governance for open-source AI. Discussions focused on aligning principles of openness across disciplines, addressing the societal implications of data use in AI, and developing actionable strategies to empower communities through transparent and accessible data-sharing practices.

• October 17, 2024: At GITEX 2024 in Abu Dhabi, The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst presented a newly developed Data Collaboratives Framework for Abu Dhabi, created in collaboration with Adam Zable and the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi (SCAD) as part of the Data for Good Initiative. This framework serves as a strategic guide for establishing public-private data collaborations, outlining both an enabling environment and a step-by-step implementation approach. Verhulst emphasized how these collaborations unlock the value of privately held data to achieve public good outcomes while fostering win-win scenarios for all involved parties. The talk also highlighted the framework's critical role in advancing Abu Dhabi’s ambitions for sustainable growth, innovation, and societal progress. The report, soon to be released publicly, explores actionable pathways for facilitating responsible and impactful data partnerships.

• October 22, 2024: The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst launched the Data Stewardship Trends to Watch webinar series, highlighting the latest policy developments and research shaping the field of data stewardship. The series explores emerging trends, innovative practices, and actionable insights to advance responsible and impactful data governance.

• October 28-29, 2024: The International Panel on Social Progress (IPSP) hosted its second international meeting in Paris at Académie du Climat and the Paris Institute for Advanced Study. The event brought together over 70 international experts to address interconnected issues of environmental degradation, societal inequalities, and governance dysfunctions. Stefaan Verhulst, along with co-coordinators Professor Ingrid Volkmer and Guilherme Canela, launched the working group titled "Information as a Public Good in the Age of Datafication and Artificial Intelligence." This group focuses on areas such as algorithmic pluralism, inclusive data practices, equitable access to data, and regulatory parameters to promote information as a public good while addressing challenges related to digital governance, AI, and datafication.

NOVEMBER

• November 18, 2024: Supported by Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, The Data Tank and The GovLab launched the Data Stewards Bootcamp in Turin, Italy. The hybrid program began with a three-day in-person session in Turin, followed by three weeks of virtual learning, providing participants with essential skills and frameworks for effective data stewardship.

DECEMBER

• December 3-6, 2024: Stefaan Verhulst participated in the Open America Summit in Brasília at the Serzedello Corrêa Institute. This marked the first time Brazil hosted the event, which focused on open data, transparency, and digital governance. Stefaan led and participated in key sessions, including discussions on data stewardship, cross-sector data collaboration, and the emerging Fourth Wave of Open Data. These sessions explored responsible data practices, the intersection of open data and AI, and strategies to foster innovation and equity through data-driven solutions.

• December 10-11, 2024: The "Novel Data, AI, and Disasters: From Data to Public Policy" conference in Mexico City, hosted by Crisis Ready, Direct Relief, and the Harvard Data Science Initiative, featured a panel on AI and Decision-Making. Stefaan Verhulst contributed to the discussion by addressing the role of open data and generative AI, emphasizing the requirements for making data “AI-Ready” to support effective decision-making processes.

Header image by Willian Justen de Vasconcellos from Unsplash

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