A new institutional model for the AI age: Community Data Utilities

On 3 July, Centre for Data Futures King's College London, Project Liberty, and NewImpact will convene a select group of leaders from across government, industry, academia, and civil society to explore a new institutional model for the AI age: Community Data Utilities.

This gathering is also supported by Lucy Blythe (Founder, Philia International), who is helping us bring together leaders across civil society, philanthropy, and government.

Across the world, the data generated by everyday life powers artificial intelligence systems and trillion-dollar technology companies. Yet the communities that generate this data rarely control it or share in its value.

Community Data Utilities offer a different path. By stewarding community data in trusted local institutions — and connecting those institutions into a broader network — Community Data Utilities could enable societies to govern data in the public interest while unlocking powerful new services in food, health, housing, and beyond.

This gathering will bring together 35–40 selected participants to explore how such a model could be designed and piloted. As places are limited, we recommend you RSVP at the earliest.

AGENDA

9:00 – 9:15 | Registration & Coffee

Arrive, grab a coffee, and meet fellow attendees.

9:15 – 9:30 | Welcome & Framing

Speakers: Jens Molbak & Suha Mohamed

Why this? Why now? And an intro to the day's agenda and structure

9:30 – 10:00 | The Community Data Utility Model Speaker: Jens Molbak

Unpacking the ‘Community Data Utility’: what it is, how it works, and the opportunity

10:00 – 10:30 | Critical Q&A

A structured provocation session. If this model works, what does it mean in practice? How is a public data utility different from a data trust?

10:30 – 10:45 | Break

10:45 – 12:00 | Breakout Groups — Round 1

Forming a community public data utility requires designing/building different dimensions. These breakout groups will tackle 3: [1]Legal mechanisms and structures, [2]Community needs and governance & [3] Incentives and the business model

12:00 – 13:00 | Breakout Groups — Round 2

Taking the dimensions explored in Round 1, each table applies them to a specific sector and asks what a community public data utility would look like in practice, what needs adapting, and where there's real appetite to pilot. Sectors include:

[1]Food and nutrition, [2]Affordable housing, [3]Health, [4]Education & [5]Employment and skills

13:00 – 13:45 | Outputs & Next Steps

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher The Dickson Poon School of Law