Why Open Data Matters

TL;DR

Julien A. Raemy (docuteam SA; University of Bern)

HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
HEG-GE Bachelor Information Science

Public Engagement and Empowerment

Empowering the Public

• Access to previously inaccessible information
• Democratisation of knowledge

Active Participation

• More informed citizenry
• Enables civic and cultural discourse

Open data fundamentally changes the relationship between institutions and the public by making information accessible to everyone.

Transparency and Accountability

Building Trust

• Critical in sectors requiring public trust
• Free accessibility enables scrutiny

Better Governance

• Greater analysis capabilities
• More accountable practices
• Institutional transparency

Transparency through open data creates accountability mechanisms that benefit both institutions and society.

The Evolution of Open Data

• Open Data: A commendable starting point
• Linked Open Data: Interconnected and discoverable
• Linked Open Usable Data (LOUD): Enhanced usability and semantic interoperability; Community-driven standards and practices

Open data has evolved from simple availability to sophisticated interconnected systems that maximise usability.

OGD and ORD for GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums)

Open Government Data (OGD) & Open Research Data (ORD)

Dual Nature

• Service to the public
• Active management process

GLAM Applications

• Research contributions
• Curation practices
• Public engagement

GLAM institutions play a crucial role in both producing and using open data for cultural heritage preservation and access.

AI and Machine Learning

• Training Data: Large, diverse datasets for robust AI models
• Inclusive Development: High-quality open datasets enable better AI
• Transparency: External validation of AI systems
• Ethics: Reducing biases through openness
• Grounding Truth: Open data provides verifiable sources for fact-checking AI outputs

Open data can be the foundation for responsible AI

The relationship between open data and AI is symbiotic - good AI requires good data, and open data ensures AI development is transparent and ethical. Open data also helps ground AI outputs in verifiable reality.

Collaboration is Key

Best Practices

• Collections as Data checklist
• Community-driven standards
• Shared resources

Communities

• IIIF (International Image Interoperability Framework)
• Linked Art
• OGD meet-ups (Open Data Beer)

Open data is not just about availability—it’s about creating value through accessibility, interoperability, and collaboration.

Collaboration across institutions and communities is essential for developing and maintaining effective open data practices.