Open data symbiosis

Generative AI models have a symbiotic relationship with open data. Vast amounts of open data are used to pre-train foundation models, and fine-tune them for specific tasks. However, generative AI can also amplify the value of open data itself—improving access to open data by translating complex datasets into more understandable formats and generating summaries, analyses, and insights that are easier for the public and policymakers to comprehend. Generative AI can also help expand the supply of open data by automating the cleaning, categorization, and integration of open data from different sources, making it more efficient to manage and utilize large datasets, and generating synthetic data and ontologies to expand training sets for specific tasks.

As the synergy between generative AI and open data expands, it will support more innovative, efficient, and effective solutions to complex societal challenges like climate adaptation. Doing so effectively will require policies and frameworks to manage the ethical implications of using AI with open data, ensuring transparency, accountability, and the protection of privacy.