Launched by the Amsterdam Economic Board, this collective includes organizations like Waag Futurelab, the University of Amsterdam, Deloitte, Ahold Delhaize, and AMdEX, with more partners expected soon.

Why Responsible Data?

In a big tech-driven era, data has been commercially exploited, overshadowing its potential to serve public interests. Yet, a collective in Amsterdam aims to do just that—share more data to better care for the city. Data commons align with Amsterdam’s vision to be a responsible, sustainable, and inclusive digital region by 2040, driven by societal values ensuring autonomy and control over our data.

What is a Data Common?

Data, as a new digital resource, can improve products and services and serve the common good. Unlike traditional commons, data commons are:

• Shareable among a community without personal interactions or geographical boundaries.
• Inexhaustible; data can be endlessly duplicated without losing value.

Four Principles for Data Commons

• Serve public or community goals.
• Require collaboration between individuals, companies, or public institutions.
• Governed by principles determining access, use, and preventing misuse.
• Embedded systems ensure data quality and misuse detection with appropriate responses.

Benefits for Residents

Amsterdam residents benefit from living in a safe, inclusive, fair, transparent, and sustainable digital city, trusting responsible data handling by governments and organizations. Data owners gain more control, facilitating quicker agreements for data sharing to tackle societal challenges. This is crucial, as less than three percent of global data is shared.