Paper by Cass Sunstein: “Many policies take the form of nudges, defined as liberty-preserving approaches that steer people in particular directions, but that also allow them to go their own way Some nudges attempt to correct self-control problems. Some nudges attempt to counteract unrealistic optimism. Some nudges attempt to correct present bias. Some nudges attempt to correct market failures, as when people are nudged not to emit air pollution. For every conventional market failure, there is a potential nudge. For every behavioral bias (optimistic bias, present bias, availability bias, limited attention), there is a responsive nudge. There are many misconceptions about nudges and nudging, and they are a diversion…(More)”.
Can Real-Time Metrics Fill China’s Data Gap?
Case-study by Danielle Goldfarb: “After Chinese authorities abruptly reversed the country’s zero-COVID policy in 2022, global policymakers needed a clear and timely picture of the economic and health fallout.
China’s economy is the world’s second largest and the country has deep global links, so an accurate picture of its trajectory mattered for global health, growth and inflation. Getting a solid read was a challenge, however, since official health and economic data not only were not timely, but were widely viewed as unreliable.
There are now vast amounts and varied types of digital data available, from satellite images to social media text to online payments; these, along with advances in artificial intelligence (AI), make it possible to collect and analyze digital data in ways previously impossible.
Could these new tools help governments and global institutions refute or confirm China’s official picture and gather more timely intelligence?..(More)”.
Launch: A Blueprint to Unlock New Data Commons for Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Blueprint by Hannah Chafetz, Andrew J. Zahuranec, and Stefaan Verhulst: “In today’s rapidly evolving AI landscape, it is critical to broaden access to diverse and high-quality data to ensure that AI applications can serve all communities equitably. Yet, we are on the brink of a potential “data winter,” where valuable data assets that could drive public good are increasingly locked away or inaccessible.
Data commons — collaboratively governed ecosystems that enable responsible sharing of diverse datasets across sectors — offer a promising solution. By pooling data under clear standards and shared governance, data commons can unlock the potential of AI for public benefit while ensuring that its development reflects the diversity of experiences and needs across society.
To accelerate the creation of data commons, The Open Data Policy, today, releases “A Blueprint to Unlock New Data Commons for AI” — a guide on how to steward data to create data commons that enable public-interest AI use cases…the document is aimed at supporting libraries, universities, research centers, and other data holders (e.g. governments and nonprofits) through four modules:
- Mapping the Demand and Supply: Understanding why AI systems need data, what data can be made available to train, adapt, or augment AI, and what a viable data commons prototype might look like that incorporates stakeholder needs and values;
- Unlocking Participatory Governance: Co-designing key aspects of the data commons with key stakeholders and documenting these aspects within a formal agreement;
- Building the Commons: Establishing the data commons from a practical perspective and ensure all stakeholders are incentivized to implement it; and
- Assessing and Iterating: Evaluating how the commons is working and iterating as needed.
These modules are further supported by two supplementary taxonomies. “The Taxonomy of Data Types” provides a list of data types that can be valuable for public-interest generative AI use cases. The “Taxonomy of Use Cases” outlines public-interest generative AI applications that can be developed using a data commons approach, along with possible outcomes and stakeholders involved.
A separate set of worksheets can be used to further guide organizations in deploying these tools…(More)”.
A Funder’s Guide to Citizens’ Assemblies
Democracy Funders Network: “For too many Americans, the prospect of engaging with lawmakers about the important issues in their lives is either logistically inaccessible, or unsatisfactory in result. Exploring An Innovative Approach to Democratic Governance: A Funder’s Guide to Citizens’ Assemblies, produced by Democracy Funders Network and New America, explores the potential for citizens’ assemblies to transform and strengthen democratic processes in the U.S. The guide offers philanthropists and in-depth look at the potential opportunities and challenges citizens’ assemblies present for building civic power at the local level and fomenting authentic civic engagement within communities.
Citizens’ assemblies belong in the broader field of collaborative governance, an umbrella term for public engagement that shifts governing power and builds trust by bringing together government officials and community members to collaborate on policy outcomes through shared decision-making…(More)”.
Vetted Researcher Data Access
Coimisiún na Meán: “Article 40 of the Digital Services Act (DSA) makes provision for researchers to access data from Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) or Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) for the purposes of studying systemic risk in the EU and assessing mitigation measures. There are two ways that researchers that are studying systemic risk in the EU can get access to data under Article 40 of the DSA.
Non-public data, known as “vetted researcher data access”, under Article 40(4)-(11). This is a process where a researcher, who has been vetted or assessed by a Digital Services Coordinator to have met the criteria as set out in DSA Article 40(8), can request access to non-public data held by a VLOP/VLOSE. The data must be limited in scope and deemed necessary and proportionate to the purpose of the research.
Public data under Article 40(12). This is a process where a researcher who meets the relevant criteria can apply for data access directly from a VLOP/VLOSE, for example, access to a content library or API of public posts…(More)”.
Funding the Future: Grantmakers Strategies in AI Investment
Report by Project Evident: “…looks at how philanthropic funders are approaching requests to fund the use of AI… there was common recognition of AI’s importance and the tension between the need to learn more and to act quickly to meet the pace of innovation, adoption, and use of AI tools.
This research builds on the work of a February 2024 Project Evident and Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence working paper, Inspiring Action: Identifying the Social Sector AI Opportunity Gap. That paper reported that more practitioners than funders (by over a third) claimed their organization utilized AI.
“From our earlier research, as well as in conversations with funders and nonprofits, it’s clear there’s a mismatch in the understanding and desire for AI tools and the funding of AI tools,” said Sarah Di Troia, Managing Director of Project Evident’s OutcomesAI practice and author of the report. “Grantmakers have an opportunity to quickly upskill their understanding – to help nonprofits improve their efficiency and impact, of course, but especially to shape the role of AI in civil society.”
The report offers a number of recommendations to the philanthropic sector. For example, funders and practitioners should ensure that community voice is included in the implementation of new AI initiatives to build trust and help reduce bias. Grantmakers should consider funding that allows for flexibility and innovation so that the social and education sectors can experiment with approaches. Most importantly, funders should increase their capacity and confidence in assessing AI implementation requests along both technical and ethical criteria…(More)”.
A Roadmap to Accessing Mobile Network Data for Statistics
Guide by Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data: “… introduces milestones on the path to mobile network data access. While it is aimed at stakeholders in national statistical systems and across national governments in general, the lessons should resonate with others seeking to take this route. The steps in this guide are written in the order in which they should be taken, and some readers who have already embarked on this journey may find they have completed some of these steps.
This roadmap is meant to be followed in steps, and readers may start, stop, and return to points on the path at any point.
The path to mobile network data access has three milestones:
- Evaluating the opportunity – setting clear goals for the desired impact of data innovation.
- Engaging with stakeholders – getting critical stakeholders to support your cause.
- Executing collaboration agreements – signing a written agreement among partners…(More)”
Announcing the Youth Engagement Toolkit for Responsible Data Reuse: An Innovative Methodology for the Future of Data-Driven Services
Blog by Elena Murray, Moiz Shaikh, and Stefaan G. Verhulst: “Young people seeking essential services — whether mental health support, education, or government benefits — often face a critical challenge: they are asked to share their data without having a say in how it is used or for what purpose. While the responsible use of data can help tailor services to better meet their needs and ensure that vulnerable populations are not overlooked, a lack of trust in data collection and usage can have the opposite effect.
When young people feel uncertain or uneasy about how their data is being handled, they may adopt privacy-protective behaviors — choosing not to seek services at all or withholding critical information out of fear of misuse. This risks deepening existing inequalities rather than addressing them.
To build trust, those designing and delivering services must engage young people meaningfully in shaping data practices. Understanding their concerns, expectations, and values is key to aligning data use with their preferences. But how can this be done effectively?
This question was at the heart of a year-long global collaboration through the NextGenData project, which brought together partners worldwide to explore solutions. Today, we are releasing a key deliverable of that project: The Youth Engagement Toolkit for Responsible Data Reuse:
Based on a methodology developed and piloted during the NextGenData project, the Toolkit describes an innovative methodology for engaging young people on responsible data reuse practices, to improve services that matter to them…(More)”.
International Guidelines on People Centred Smart Cities
UN-Habitat: “…The guidelines aim to support national, regional and local governments, as well as relevant stakeholders, in leveraging digital technology for a better quality of life in cities and human settlements, while mitigating the associated risks to achieve global visions of sustainable urban development, in line with the New Urban Agenda, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and other relevant global agendas.
The aim is to promote a people-centred smart cities approach that is consistent with the purpose and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including full respect for international law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to ensure that innovation and digital technologies are used to help cities and human settlements in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda.
The guidelines serve as a reference for Member States to implement people-centred smart city approaches in the preparation and implementation of smart city regulations, plans and strategies to promote equitable access to, and life-long education and training of all people in, the opportunities provided by data, digital infrastructure and digital services in cities and human settlements, and to favour transparency and accountability.
The guidelines recognize local and regional governments (LRGs) as pivotal actors in ensuring closing digital divides and localizing the objectives and principles of these guidelines as well as the Global Digital Compact for an open, safe, sustainable and secure digital future. The guidelines are intended to complement existing global principles on digital development through a specific additional focus on the key role of local and regional governments, and local action, in advancing people-centred smart city development also towards the vision of global digital compact…(More)”.
Disinformation: Definitions and examples
Explainer by Perthusasia Centre: “Disinformation has been a tool of manipulation and control for centuries, from ancient military strategies to Cold War propaganda. With the rapid advancement of technology,
it has evolved into a sophisticated and pervasive security threat that transcends traditional boundaries.
This explainer takes the definitions and examples from our recent Indo-Pacific Analysis Brief, Disinformation and cognitive warfare by Senior Fellow Alana Ford, and creates an simple, standalone guide for quick reference…(More)”.