This Week:
Open Data, Smart Cities and Shutting Pandora’s Box
Welcome back to Govsight.
In the second issue, we cover the sometimes murky world of data.
Why is it important for the development of our cities? How are cities harnessing data? Why is open data important now, more than ever?
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Enjoy,
George Lintott
Editor, Govsight
Microsoft Forges an Open Data Future
What’s happening here?
The original tech giant has made a move against, well, the other tech giants. By promoting the idea that data should be open and for the public good rather than proprietary and for-profit, Microsoft takes aim at the dominance of Amazon, Google and even the power of governments like the US and China.
Why is this important?
If we take the long-toted view that data is the new oil, Google, Amazon and Microsoft are considered OPEC. Google alone processes over 20 petabytes of data per day, all helping the company to understand how to sell to their customers – us.
We’re reaching a critical juncture where information is not open, but rather for proprietary and for profit. An open-data approach from Microsoft could spell a new wave of change for us all, with cities and SMEs having more access to more data helping develop smarter, city-lead solutions that improve our lives (see the London DataStore). The democratisation of data? We hope so.
International Data Hubs Open Up
What’s happening here?
Teams are collecting data on the Covid-19 pandemic and sharing their findings with other teams and governments globally. Imperial College London is working with YouGov to gather responses from over 29 countries about people’s attitudes, mood and behaviours.
Why is it important?
Data is critically important at the moment for authorities to make fast policy decisions. As time is of the essence and the nature of the pandemic is of global concern, freely available information will help make the lives of policymakers easier.
What’s also useful is the global context where authorities can see what’s working elsewhere to feed into their own responses. The secret ingredient? Open data. This is freely available for everyone to access helping other innovators pitch in.
Opening Up Urban Data
What’s happening here?
The Nitrous team joined a fantastic webinar about how London is embracing data and smart tech during this crisis. Insights from the GLA and LOTI teams showed that there is now a necessity to digitise services and opening up more data for the public good.
The crisis has allowed authorities to test new methods, like Milan who is using this time to create more bike lanes and make good on their environmental goals. This strategy and supporting data is being watched closely in London to see its effectiveness
Why is this important?
Cities may never look the same after this crisis. Ever the optimists, we will say for the better. Why? Well, the hard work being done to open up data, to link authorities both internationally and nationally, to create data-led policy decisions could revolutionise our cities for the better.
Authorities are using this time to try new things, to test new approaches, to trial ideas. Ultimately, we foresee that necessity (this crisis) has been the key instigator in the proliferation of open urban data, and as a result: true citizen-lead smart cities. What’s taken years may only take a matter of weeks.
Opportunities
- Stonewater Limited – the social housing provider – is looking to enhance its data capabilities through new tools to adopt AI and future tech. Apply here. Closes 06 May.
- The Royal Borough of Greenwich wants help managing and publicising data from its 10 air quality monitoring stations across the borough. Apply for it here. Closes 11 May.
- The University of Hull is adapting to lockdown and are looking for digital engagement tool that can help them hold virtual events. Apply for it here. Closes 15 May.
- The Office for National Statistics is looking for a specialist to help in the digitalisation of data held in historical census volumes. Apply here. Closes 29 May
SME Advice
Startup Fund
A £1bn support fund has been created for startups struggling to cope amid the pandemic. The package includes £250m towards a new £500m Future Fund and £750m worth of grants and loans to SMEs working on research and development. Think your eligible? Find out more here
Also announced today was a new government scheme giving small firms loans up to £50,000 within days of applying. More information to follow.
Tech Together with Tech.London
Tech.London has launched a depository of advice, events, support and other topics for the London tech ecosystem during this pandemic. If you’re looking for support look no further.
Need Help From the ODI?
Working on data that could be helpful in fighting this pandemic? Need help? The ODI is running a programme of free support to people and organisations. Think this is you? Reach out here.
Govsight is Nitrous’ fortnightly digest, filled with pocket-size insights into how technology is disrupting cities (CityTech).
At Nitrous, we work with the public sector, corporate actors and tech SMEs to develop co-creation ventures that address city challenges.
