The Impact of Data Segregation on Pivotal International Policy Issues

In a world increasingly reliant on data-driven decision-making, the disparities in access to quality data, known as the data divide, pose a significant challenge to global development and policy-making. On December 7, 2022, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST, the Center for Data Innovation is hosting a panel discussion aimed at addressing this issue and exploring its impact on critical global policy challenges.

The data divide exacerbates socio-economic inequalities between developed and developing countries, limiting the ability of poorer regions to participate in and benefit from digital economies. This uneven opportunity distribution impacts economic growth and social cohesion on a global scale. Moreover, lack of data access impedes effective policymaking, as governments and organizations in less connected regions cannot fully leverage data-driven insights for public services, health, education, and economic planning. This widens gaps in development outcomes and can undermine global cooperation.

However, reducing these data disparities can drive global innovation and prosperity. Bridging the digital and data divide enables universal access to digital infrastructure and literacy, empowering more countries and communities to contribute to and benefit from technological advancements, such as AI and big data analytics. Inclusive digital access fosters innovation ecosystems by increasing the diversity of perspectives and talents, which enhances creativity and problem-solving on global issues. Economic benefits arise as digital inclusion improves productivity, competitiveness, and access to global markets, facilitating more equitable growth and poverty reduction.

The panel discussion, scheduled for December 7, will feature speakers such as Oleg Petrov, Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank, Valérie Perhirin, Managing Director for Data & AI at Capgemini Invent, Gillian Diebold, Policy Analyst at the Center for Data Innovation (who will moderate the discussion), Lizzie Coles-Kemp, Professor of Information Security at Royal Holloway, University of London, and Ginette Azcona, Senior Research and Data Policy Specialist at UN Women.

The collection of high-quality data is crucial for addressing global issues such as climate change, disaster response, and public health. However, the quality and quantity of meteorological data collected vary among countries, affecting climate risk prediction models. Some nations can make evidence-based decisions concerning national development, while others lack information about their areas of greatest need.

The panel discussion is relevant to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as many countries are behind in adequate data collection. Reducing the data disparities might help drive global data-driven innovation and prosperity. The event is an opportunity for experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss solutions and strategies for bridging the data divide and ensuring that all nations and communities have access to the data they need to thrive.

For those interested in attending, more information can be found on the Center for Data Innovation's website. Closing the data divide is a critical step towards achieving equitable global development, sustainable digital transformation, and effective policy responses. Join the conversation on December 7 and help drive the change needed to unlock data-driven innovation, empower all nations and populations, and foster global economic and social prosperity.

[1] Diebold, G. (2021). The Data Divide: Bridging the Gap Between the Haves and Have-Nots. Center for Data Innovation. [2] Diebold, G. (2020). The Data Divide: A Barrier to Achieving Equitable Global Development. Center for Data Innovation. [3] Diebold, G. (2019). The Data Divide: A Growing Challenge for Global Development. Center for Data Innovation.

In a world venued on data-driven decisions, the data divide, an inequality in access to quality data, poses a significant challenge to global development and policy-making, exacerbating socio-economic disparities between developed and developing countries.
The data divide impacts not only economic growth and social cohesion on a global scale but also impedes effective policymaking, as governments and organizations in less connected regions cannot fully leverage data-driven insights for public services, health, education, and economic planning.
Bridging the data divide can drive global innovation and prosperity by enabling universal access to digital infrastructure and literacy, fostering an inclusive ecosystem that empowers more countries and communities to contribute to and benefit from technological advancements, such as AI and data-driven research.
On December 7, 2022, the Center for Data Innovation is hosting a panel discussion aimed at addressing the data divide and its impact on critical global policy challenges, featuring experts like Oleg Petrov, Valérie Perhirin, Gillian Diebold, Lizzie Coles-Kemp, and Ginette Azcona.
The quality and quantity of data collected are crucial for addressing global issues like climate change, disaster response, and public health. However, the variability in meteorological data collection among countries affects climate risk prediction models, creating disparities in data access and evidence-based decision-making.
The panel discussion is relevant to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on improving data collection and addressing the data divide to drive global data-driven innovation, empower all nations and populations, and foster global economic and social prosperity.