Trustworthy Data Institutional Framework

n 2020, GPAI commissioned the Open Data Institute and Aapti Institute to explore real-world use cases and operationalisation strategies where data trusts could offer societal benefit with a focus on AI and climate action. From this foundational work by the ODI and Aapti teams, emerged some limitations 3 . That is why, the Data Governance Working Group recommended considering wider, bottom-up data institutions and trustworthy practices where communities are empowered around their data. For this purpose, we conducted a pilot study in Cameroon, where we mapped the data ecosystem by identifying the different stakeholders, described the dynamics in data collection, identified gaps and challenges and presented some concrete actions to mitigate these challenges. Taken into account by data institutions, these actions provide a path to improve trustworthiness in data governance. But this is only possible within an integrated data governance system that places the values of sharing and openness at the center of data exchange. Hence the Trustworthy Data Institutional Framework that we co-designed with local organisations during the ODI/Microsoft Peer Learning Network Programme. The Trustworthy 4 Data Institutional Framework (TDIF) is a practical tool enabling organisations that manage data to understand where they currently stand with regards to their data governance, while providing a path to improve trustworthiness (ODI, 2021). The TDIF consists of two parts: - The first part, representing the ideal vision of trustworthiness in data institutions that enables the development of safe, fair, and equitable sharing of data while empowering individuals and communities to assert their data rights. This vision is built on four key aspects: (1) the extended data lifecycle, (2) the combined data governance approach, (3) the interchangeability of the data stewardship role, and (4) the dynamics of engagement and responsibilities. - The second part, representing the trustworthiness assessment tool we have designed, which allows organisations to assess where they stand in terms of trust in their data practices.The assessment tool incorporates maturity levels, an evaluation grid, and a scoring methodology. Once an organisation knows its level of maturity, it can then take some concrete actions suggested in the annex, to improve its level of trustworthiness. The first organisations to test the TDIF recognise its importance and see its application in different sectors. However, a need has emerged to see this tool automated with an online version. Automating the TDIF is therefore the next step in this project.