'Data dregs' and its implications for AI ethics: Revelations from the pandemic

Area of Science:

• Data Science
• Public Policy
• Societal Impact

Background:

• Technology giants amass extensive user data for profit.
• Public institutions collect comparatively limited data.
• A significant data asymmetry exists between private tech companies and public entities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To question the concentration of valuable user data in private hands.
• To highlight the societal detriment of data inequity.
• To propose solutions for addressing data disparities.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of data holdings between Big Tech and public institutions.
• Examination of the implications of data asymmetry during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Discussion of ethical AI and societal benefit.

Main Results:

• Big Tech possesses "premium oil" level data, while public entities have "data dregs".
• Data asymmetry hinders public good initiatives like pandemic control and urban planning.
• This inequity undermines societal benefit and ethical AI development.

Conclusions:

• The concentration of data in Big Tech is a critical issue.
• Addressing data inequity is crucial for societal progress and ethical AI.
• Data sharing and Open Data initiatives are proposed solutions.