NL AIC presents a guide for interoperability when sharing data for AI applications

This content was created by the NL AI Coalition, one of the founding partners of the CoE-DSC.
The NL AIC is aiming to put the Netherlands in a front-runner position in terms of knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications for well-being and welfare. To achieve that goal, it is crucial that data should be made available on a large scale so that AI algorithms can be fed more appropriately with the right information. With that in mind, the Data Sharing working group has set the objective of creating reliable and interoperable AI data spaces.

Accelerating AI implementation

Better access to data will mean a head start in AI. That is not merely a target for the Netherlands: there is also international interest. The EU wants a fair market in which data from governmental authorities, companies and the public at large can be used safely when in the general interest and to boost the earnings capacity of the commercial sector. The EU has adopted the term ‘data spaces’ for this method of effectuating data sharing. Data spaces are used where multiple parties are managing the data and it is not self-evident that it will be made available to all those involved. In short, it boils down to making good agreements that are combined with standards-based technology.

Designing federative data spaces

This guide gives a concrete summary of the tool available and the lessons learned  for getting to understand AI data spaces better and for setting them up. Producing and distributing this guide is only the initial step for the NL AIC. Developing data spaces with relevant partners is the next stage.

The specific design of federative data spaces is a key milestone in achieving the objectives of the EU and the NL AIC. The key to success for any such approach is interoperability, in technical, semantic, organisational and legal terms. In other words: whether we understand each other, have made solid agreements, are sticking to the rules and are capable of handling the implementation and maintenance. This creates an inclusive system where data sharing is based on open and transparent standards. It is crucial that this system is underpinned by trust, so that it remains clear that data only gets used for the purposes intended by the original data custodian or controller. This principle is referred to as ‘data sovereignty’ and it is the cornerstone of what is known as a ‘trust system’. Relying not on good faith but on an organised trust structure.

Data sovereignty

To give an example: instead of sending confidential information about patients to a service provider’s central database, a solution can be created that involves sending an algorithm to a hospital. That algorithm and its parameters can then be trained locally within the hospital’s IT environment before leaving the hospital again, improved by what it has learned, without any patient data being shared. The algorithm can then ‘visit’ several hospitals in the same way, gaining access to multiple data sources as it does so. The end result is a secure solution and an improved AI algorithm.

Future developments

Additional documents will be published over the course of 2022 that will further flesh out how trust can be organised and interoperable AI data spaces can be built. These can act as:

  • References for the development of AI data spaces, with an extensive functionality set to support the challenges and requirements of AI.
  • Clear guidelines for assurance of trust and interoperability between individual AI data spaces.

NL AIC affiliates can use these documents for designing and implementing their own data spaces. All parties outside the NL AIC that are involved in AI and data sharing are also encouraged to make use of these lessons and tools to get a better understanding of the potential of AI data spaces. Given that these documents are based on the international state of the art, organisations can assume that they will be implementing a future-proof solution in an international context.

The aims of the NL AIC

The NL AIC is aiming to co-create and build ten AI data spaces with partners in the Netherlands based on the guidelines given in this guide. The ten AI data spaces will be implemented in various sectors. This is how the NL AIC is helping realise the vision of a flourishing ecosystem in which organisations can share data safely and with confidence while retaining control of the data sharing in various processes.

Interested?

You can download the guide ‘Towards a federation of AI data spaces’ here. If you’re interested in more information about data sharing, visit the working group’s web page.

Share:

Read more

Neutral overview map of big non-European cloud services

On February 4, 2025 AMS-IX , one of the largest internet hubs in the world, and ECP| platform for the Information Society, presented a neutral overview map with all the pros and cons of non-European cloud services to the Digital Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives.

Data Sharing Festival 2025 – Last call to register online!

On Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th of February 2025, the next edition of the Data Sharing Festival will take place. This year’s topic is ‘Next Level Dataspaces: Adopt, Scale and Roll-out’. Check the program, speakers, interactive breakout-sessions and register.

Debrief Gaia-X Summit in Helsinki

The 5th Gaia-X Summit was held on November 14-15, 2024 in Helsinki. The theme of the summit was “Empowering Global Data Spaces, Shaping Tomorrow’s Cloud Infrastructure”. The event focused on presenting the Gaia-X Roadmap for 2025, as well as updates on the technical progress of Gaia-X Compliance & Label and the Trust Framework. Here you can find the Debrief of the Gaia-X Summit 2024.