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Building on our Policy Manifesto published in March 2024, we have refined our recommendations to align with the new government's priorities. Our updated policy ideas are organised around the six guiding principles of our five-year strategy.

Read the ODI Policy Roadmap

Principle 1: Strong data infrastructure

  • Implement a robust legislative and regulatory regime through the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill, the Product Safety and Metrology Bill, and potential AI legislation.
  • Improve data infrastructure to address key societal challenges.
  • Roll out smart data schemes as outlined in the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill.
  • Enhance data collection and use for more effective public services, including at local levels.
  • Introduce a National Data Library as a cornerstone of the UK's data infrastructure.

Principle 2: Open data as a foundation

  • Produce a refreshed government strategy on open data and data access.
  • Prioritise opening datasets that can drive economic growth and improve public services.
  • Ensure open data is a key component of the proposed National Data Library.

Principle 3: Building trust in data

  • Foster a participatory data future where citizens shape data use across sectors.
  • Implement the Digital Information and Smart Data Bill to create a more trustworthy legislative regime.
  • Establish strategic funds for positive AI applications and proper scrutiny.
  • Increase transparency around data used to train high-risk AI models.
  • Develop world-leading standards for AI assurance and auditing.

Principle 4: Supporting trusted, independent organisations

  • Assign long-term funds to support independent organisations working on data and AI.
  • Include diverse civil society voices in data and AI decision-making.
  • Establish a network of regional data hubs aligned with the government's devolution agenda.

Principle 5: Fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive data ecosystem

  • Ensure equitable access to data for growth and innovation.
  • Enable greater researcher access to data from social media platforms and other relevant sources.
  • Update intellectual property regimes to balance innovation with creator rights in the AI era.
  • Address the digital divide through increased digital literacy initiatives.

Principle 6: Enhancing data knowledge and skills

  • Prioritise building data literacy among policymakers and leaders in business and the public sector.
  • Deliver a national strategy for improving citizen understanding of data and AI.
  • Implement digital literacy initiatives that reach underrepresented communities.

Data for delivery

Our updated recommendations, if implemented, would support the new government's mission-driven ambition for national renewal. We see significant potential for alignment in several areas:

  1. Citizen-Centric Public Services: Our emphasis on participatory data futures and improved data infrastructure for public services aligns with the government's commitment to putting citizens at the heart of service delivery.
  2. Economic Growth: Our recommendations for equitable data access and support for innovation through the National Data Library would help the government deliver on its promise of inclusive and equitable economic growth.
  3. Skills and Employment: Our focus on data literacy and skills development complements initiatives like Skills England and the government's emphasis on lifelong learning.

Looking ahead

As the new government begins to implement its legislative programme, the ODI stands ready to work constructively with policymakers, civil society organisations, businesses, and other stakeholders. Our goal is to help build a thriving data and AI ecosystem that serves the interests of all while delivering growth and value for taxpayers.

We believe that by embracing these updated policy recommendations, the UK can position itself as a global leader in ethical and innovative data use, driving economic growth while ensuring that the benefits of data and AI are felt by all members of society.

The ODI will continue to engage with parliamentarians and policymakers in the coming months, advocating for these crucial policy changes and supporting the government in its mission to harness the power of data and AI for the benefit of all.