Summary

This article summarizes the fifth episode of Tuesday Talks in which Alex Gostev interviewed Steven de Costa, founder of Link Digital, about the challenges and potential of open data initiatives in the current global environment.

Steven highlights the existential dilemma facing open data due to stagnant, or ‘just enough’ demand, which risks undermining the drivers needed for improving the quality, quantity and diversity of supply. He mentions the importance of aligning data releases with community needs and building action that transforms raw data into structured knowledge. Steven also contrasts “pull” and “push” based economies of intent in relation to how human capital is effectively contracted into markets via offers.

In addition, he shares a philosophy of self that underlies the Objective Observer Initiative, a proactive and humanist framework that aims to recognise that explicit agreements, defined within explicit systems, have the potential to support honest interactions and public-interest data that is built from the ground up to respect individual sovereignty and structured cohesion across societal systems.

Ultimately, the talk emphasizes open data’s transformative potential for society, alongside a call for mindful technology use and community engagement.

Timestamped highlights

[00:02:30] – Steven founding Link Digital and his journey into open data

Steven shares his background in economics and building web infrastructure, narrating how his proximity to government operations in the Australian capital Canberra inspired his interest in open data. He reflects on the human aspects behind bureaucracies, which provide insight into the operational challenges in data accessibility.

Open data supply as shown at 07:29 timestamp

[00:08:42] – Transforming raw data into knowledge

Steven explores how raw data can be translated into structured knowledge that can serve the public interest. Steven articulates the importance of aligning data with community objectives to enhance its value and promote societal outcomes.

Knowledge and decisions diagram as shown at 09:29 timestamp

CKAN and its ecosystem diagram as shown at 12:11 timestamp

[00:14:33] – Lack of demand for open data

Steven voices his concerns regarding the current state of open data, emphasizing the threats now facing open data and the need to generate demand for it. The opportunity is to generate demand based on the potential of well-refined open data connected into civic systems. He warns that stagnant interest in open data may lead to fewer initiatives being undertaken in this space and outlines the critical points of connecting open data to societal benefits.

[00:21:30] – Pull vs. Push economies

Steven shares the concepts of “pull” and “push” economies in relation to trust and knowledge-sharing practices. He advocates for a shift towards transparency, which can redefine employment dynamics and mitigate issues of exploitation in technology.

[00:32:59] – The Objective Observer Initiative

Steve introduces this initiative as a framework for understanding societal constructs. He emphasizes that it can help form cohesive communities, providing insight into how AI can lead to both understanding and misconceptions. You can read more about the Objective Observer Initiative in this article from openforum.com.au.

The Objective Observer Initiative Framework

[00:49:38] – Encouraging transparency in technology

The necessity for accountable data practices is emphasized in this section. Steven advocates for open systems that encourage experimentation beyond mere economic gain, aiming to create a more engaged and informed public.