Author: ewanrobertson

My wishes for 2024 hastening an open data sharing economy are centred around two things:

1) Enhancing trust in the system by ensuring permissioned data sharing and consent best practice principles are adopted by each and every government, industry, sector and scheme. Without a robust consent and authentication framework, trust in the system cannot exist. Consumers need to trust their data is safe and secure before even considering sharing it; without trust, adoption is doomed. Consent and permission is the key to unlocking data sharing.

2) Getting governments to accelerate opening up their own data sets, leading by example in those jurisdictions that have active data sharing legislation in play or being developed. If they want specific industry sectors to participate in those wider schemes, governments can easily incentivise that by cracking open government held data. It also increases outside investment in creating the necessary frameworks to enable safe, secure data sharing across sectors.

In 2024, I believe that some countries in the region will still face technical challenges and issues related to the financing and maintenance of data-sharing infrastructures.

However, Brazil, with its advanced implementation and exploration of investment and insurance data, and the regulatory advancements in Chile, could position both countries as regional and global benchmarks.

The primary challenge for Brazil, in my opinion, may revolve around the monetization of the data collected by institutions, whether they are major banks or third-party providers (TPPs). As for Chile, the key challenge might be the implementation of a technical and governance model that enables the emergence of new use cases.

Open Data has always been and will always be about placing “The Right Data, into the Hands, at the Right Time, Changing the World.”

As we see some regions around the world maturing their regimes whilst others come online, my wish is to see the proverbial “Carrot and Stick” approach be sidelined, with the spotlight placed firmly on “Value Realisation” by the consumer. I hope to see an increase in Collaborative Data Initiatives leading to Greater Consumer Engagement with the realisation that access and control through privacy-focused data channelling into fit-for-purpose Use-Cases can change lives/livelihoods. Success for Open Data is when the user no longer focuses on the puppet strings or rails as the Industry refers to them; and, is not burdened by how it works, but rather the user experience that Open Data allows. Will it increase Data Literacy? It should. Will it provide enhanced consumer experiences and create greater internal efficiencies for the Data suppliers? Quite possibly. Will we see a greater focus on Tech being built with Privacy-by-Design? Definitely.

2024 will see the continued adoption of Open Data practices; some mandatory, some voluntary; ALL will benefit consumers in the long run. 2024 will also be the year that increased focus on the burden of participation must be considered. If we prevent sections of the Industry from participating, we will scuttle Open Data before we even start. 2024 will also be the year of closing the loop between data sharing and action initiation. Without this final piece of the puzzle, the incentives for consumers to adopt Open Data for “part of their requirements” just don’t make sense. If it doesn’t satisfy their entire needs, why change from the antiquated but familiar practices that already exist?!