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All bookers will be emailed the Zoom link for the event.

You can also find the Zoom link here.

Join us for an event to showcase the role of data empowerment in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Hosted by the Data Empowerment Fund and the Open Data Institute, the event will take place online on 21 November 2024, from 14:30 to 17:30 GMT.

Running order

14:30: Introduction - Emma Thwaites (Open Data Institute)

14:35: The Data Empowerment Fund - Jack Hardinges

14:40: Humans in the loop: Labour in the AI supply chain - panel discussion with Kauna Malgwi (African Content Moderators Union) Soujanya Sridharan (Aapti Institute), Laurenz Sachenbacher (Technische Universität Berlin) and Elena Simperl (Open Data Institute)

15:20: Introducing counter-data - Meg Young (Data & Society)

15:25: Lightning talks from Via Libre, Ushahidi, Counter-data network, Human Rights Measurement Initiative, and Matou.

16:05: Building and sustaining data communities - panel discussion with Irene Mwendwa (Pollicy), Sofia Kypraiou (personaldata.io), Glenn Sorrentino (Hushline), Viivi Lähteenoja (MyData), and Tamanda Walker (Maternity Engagement Action / Black Thrive)

What is data empowerment?

We generally have limited opportunities to participate in the systems of data collection, use and sharing that shape our lives.

If people are not able to shape data systems, there is a risk of creating deep mistrust. This mistrust could limit the potential of data – and the different technologies it powers – to be applied to the big challenges of our time.

Data empowerment gives people more say over data, through greater individual agency or community control. There is an urgent need for more experimentation and understanding of data empowerment to unearth approaches that put people at the centre of decisions about data.

The event

This event will feature a variety of sessions including panels, lightning talks and more, and will cover themes including:

  • Exposing the human labour in data and AI supply chains.
  • Filling the data gaps and using ‘counter data’ to advocate for change.
  • Understanding data sovereignty, equity and justice.
  • Creating and sustaining data communities.

Sign up here to claim your free ticket to join us on the day.

About the Data Empowerment Fund

The Data Empowerment Fund supports a diverse set of initiatives that enable greater individual agency or community control over data.

Powered by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and Omidyar Network, the Data Empowerment Fund is designed to address the lack of opportunities for people to participate in the systems of data collection, use and sharing that shape their lives.

Located across the globe, the initiatives supported by the Data Empowerment Fund address some of the world’s most pressing challenges – including ensuring fair work, tackling the climate crisis and governing artificial intelligence. They include:

If you’d like to learn more about the fund, get in touch with Jack Hardinges, Fund Lead at [email protected].