THE DATA TANK

The Challenge

Data is an essential part of our everyday lives. It also underpins recent advancements such as generative AI. Over the past few decades, human behaviour has been increasingly digitised and measured as a direct result of society’s growing reliance on technology. However, the pace of development in the digital world has left many confused, concerned, or sidelined. Data, however, holds a huge amount of potential. If used responsibly, sustainably, and equitably, data will enable us to make better-informed decisions about our future. Accessing meaningful and trustworthy data and using/re-using it correctly is crucial to effectively address the pressing challenges of our time.

Our Mission

Our mission is to unlock data’s potential and serve the common good by using it differently. We strive to gather, access, and reuse data responsibly, while placing people first and keeping our values of transparency, inclusivity, internationalism, vision, and creativity top-of-mind.

These activities are supported by the establishment of a ThinkAndDoNet: a global online community that shares our vision to unlock data’s potential for public benefit and is doing practical or theoretical work in this field.

If you would like to work with us to create a Social License, are interested in creating a new Data Steward role for your organization, or want to develop the skills of the Stewards already working with you, please contact us at: info@datatank.org

Our Vision

Until now, the conversation around data has been dominated by concerns about privacy, protection, and profit. This debate is understandable and valid. The problem, however, is about more than just data misuse. It is also about missed opportunities to re-use data within and across different fields for the benefit of society. This is what The Data Tank sets out to address.

Our vision means a significant shift in how we think about data, how we access it and what we do with it. We work with partners around the globe to unlock data’s potential: gathering, accessing, and re-using it responsibly, to better equip us to tackle the pressing issues of our time.

Objectives and Core Activities

We must build trust between data givers and receivers to re-use and share data routinely and safely. To advance this goal, we will implement our first two projects, our Data Stewardship and our Social License Lab programs.

These activities are supported by the establishment of a ThinkAndDoNet: a global online community that shares our vision to unlock data’s potential for public benefit and is doing practical or theoretical work in this field.

If you would like to work with us to create a Social License, are interested in creating a new Data Steward role for your organization, or want to develop the skills of the Stewards already working with you, please contact us at: info@datatank.org.

Our Data Stewardship and Social License Lab Programs

We redefine the role of Data Stewards, trusted enablers who take the lead in identifying the challenges data can help to solve.

We create a new participatory framework which legitimizes the principle of freeing up data for the public good.