Without urgent action big and open data may widen existing inequalities and social divides

The juncture of big and open data informs areas as diverse as artificial intelligence, agriculture, and public health, and promises to transform our ability to tackle global challenges. However, Sabina Leonelli highlights three major concerns over how big and open data are currently managed: the unsustainable nature of the digital data landscape; the quality and credibility of the data themselves; and how data sources currently represent only privileged – typically English-speaking – individuals and communities, with little representation from less visible and more vulnerable groups. These challenges can be overcome, but to do so requires significant investment in key data governance priorities.