Thread by @TheGovLab

In a few minutes, Stefaan Verhulst will present on data and innovation for the @NYCCouncil’s Committee on Technology and the Commission on Public Information and Communication.

We are excited to participate in this meeting!

Stefaan focuses on four questions:
Why should the City care?

If you build the data-sharing infrastructure, will they come?

What about private data?

Is tech the solution?

“We recommend not just having a directory of datasets but also a directory of expertise within the City that can identify who can help if there is a clear value proposition.”

“Look at how you can establish city data collaboratives. [...] How can you engage with different [companies] around the data.”

Councilmember asks how city data and the public’s ability to access it could be used to stop reckless drivers.

Stefaan says it is an interesting case and could be useful as a case study of how data could be used for beneficial purposes, albeit with significant ethical questions.

Commission member asks about costs.

Prof. Julia Stoyanovich notes that doing things responsibly will always cost some money and that we should expect that.

Commission member: Given the research you’ve done on privacy and algorithms, should there be an oversight commission on NYC to monitor how data is used?

Stefaan: Oversight is extremely important but it is also important to encourage a responsible culture within different orgs

“We need to know not just the risks of using data but also the risks of not using data.”

And that’s all! Excited to have had the chance to participate. GovLab looks forward to supporting NYC gov in its work using data to improve the lives of New Yorkers.