Thread by @TheGovLab

In about 10 minutes, The GovLab’s Stefaan Verhulst will moderate a panel at @ReaktorNow taking stock of data collaboration and data stewardship efforts to date. Get more info at: open-data.nyc/#details656 #OpenDataWeek #OpenData #DataCollaboratives

Only a few more minutes until the beginning of tonight’s event. Stay tuned as we’ll be tweeting highlights throughout the evening.

“The focus of this year is to think about how we use open data and expand open data to include corporate data [...] How do we unlock the value of data in the private sector for good?” — Stefaan Verhulst

Stefaan highlights the role of his other panelists—Adrienne Schmoeker (City of New York), Brennan Lake (Cuebiq)
Niels Ploug (Danmarks Statistik), and
Nick Eng (LinkedIn)—exemplify the principles of data stewardship and are promoting #DataCollaboratives.

“Data Collaboratives are incredibly powerful because the private sector is sitting on treasure troves of data that is often not accessible to those in the public sector.“ — Brennan Lake, Cubiq

“The City of New York is hungry for new data. [...] We are looking at what the private sector has to offer. There is a lot of interest in data philanthropy.” — Adrienne Schmoeker, City of New York

Q: Why would corporations ever unlock their data assets? What’s in it for you, the corporations?

A: There is a financial and ethical imperative. We are interested in long-term profit potential. We need to make sure customers are happy, otherwise why continue to provide data?

Q: If there is a corporate incentive and a clear need for data, why aren’t we seeing more examples of Data Collaboratives?

A: More examples are coming. We are making use of the data that exists and doing more with a number of tech companies.

“Something we have to keep in mind is that we are responsible for keeping in mind the worst case scenario in addition to the bright-light future. We are responsible for protecting the 8.6 million people who call New York their home.” — Adrienne Schmoeker, City of New York

“For me, it’s about building a relationship of trust and building mutual respect. [...] We are looking for partners who are willing g to be patient with us to ensure we can operate within an ethical, legally compliant framework. It’s a conversation.” — Brennan Lake, Cuebiq

Q: In using private data, what would make the public sector’s life easier? What would be a step forward?

A: Legislation that gives us access to data with restrictions. A more needs-based approach, like a data catalog, so data does not become “a hammer in search of a nail.”

“Anytime we engage in a project, there’s a bunch of costs that matter. There’s getting contracts set up [...] and that’s a really tricky process that takes months and lawyers.” — Nick Eng, LinkedIn

Audience Q: From a public policy perspective, should private companies that use public facilities be required to make certain parts of their data available in some fashion?

Panelists discuss how we can be far more creative in pub sec without discouraging economic development.

“I think it is crucial for nonprofits and governments to start adopting standards [for data]. The question is what standards and how we enforce them. [...] We don’t have a data police.” — Adrienne Schmoeker, City of New York

Audience Q: Would a platform or more consolidated location for legal agreements lower transaction costs?

A: Yes and no. Yes, it could help us reduce certain costs but part of a relationship is also a matter of respect and there are costs with that that vary case by case

Adrienne talks about the “slow march toward culture change taking place in an institution that is hundreds of years old, the City of New York.” It’s slow but the city has made immense progress thanks to the efforts of several tech champions.

“There is benefit we are getting from the public and we should give back in a meaningful way. It is important to bring for-profit companies into the conversation so we can do things in a way that doesn’t inhibit growth, that lets us understand why we are doing what we are doing.”

And that’s a wrap, folks! Thanks again to the wonderful people at @ReaktorNow and to all those who came out to participate. The GovLab is looking forward to more great conversations on #opendata as part of #OpenDataDay2019