What: A data sharing example from the pharmaceutical world.

Why is it important: In order to find an answer to the Covid-19 pandemic, 10 pharmaceutical companies used machine learning to analyse each other data, in order to find faster a cheaper vaccine. At a moment when IADS is promoting the idea of resuming the Statistical Exchange, under a new form, this article argues that the future goes with data sharing, but not at all costs. Security and coherence of the data, especially, is key.

Through the example of the Covid-19 pandemic, Garner argues that “there should be more collaborative data unless there is a vetted reason not to do so”. In short, move from the “don’t share data unless” mindset to the “must share data unless”. Gartner predicts that within 2023, organizations promoting data sharing will outperform their peers on KPIs.  What is key anyways, according to the article, is not that much the access to data itself, but the trust implemented between participants to the data-sharing program. Blockchain and other technologies are here to guarantee the quality of the data used and therefore maximize its value.

Gartner reminds us that transiting to such a model implies, of course, a significant change in the organizations’ and managers’ mindsets.

Data Sharing Is a Business Necessity to Accelerate Digital Business