Global Future Council on Data Frontiers

Data sovereignty has become one of the defining governance questions of the digital age, yet the concept remains contested. Governments, individuals, indigenous groups, technology companies and regional blocs all define it differently, and localization alone cannot deliver it. Sovereignty in practice means aligning legal authority with technical control, across storage, compute, models and identity, while still enabling trusted, equitable collaboration across borders.

This briefing paper explores how governments, businesses and civil society can build and verify credible data sovereignty, balancing legitimate control with the trusted interdependence most actors need to thrive.

Published: September 2026

Access to high-quality, representative data remains one of the biggest barriers to innovation. Bias, scarcity, and privacy concerns often limit the potential of using real-world data for AI model development. Synthetic data – data generated to mirror real-world patterns – is emerging as a transformative solution. It can fill gaps, protect privacy, and enable new possibilities across healthcare, financial inclusion, crisis modelling, and more.

This briefing paper explores how leaders can responsibly harness synthetic data, balancing innovation with trust, equity, and accountability.

Published: September 2025

This agenda blog supplements the Council's previous publication, "Synthetic Data: The New Data Frontier". It argues that as the proliferation of synthetic data expands, the line between real and artificial blurs, threatening trust, distorting knowledge and embedding systemic risks.

The opportunities for using synthetic data are vast, but success will rely on strong governance, inclusive and high-quality data practices and transparent collaboration among developers, scientists, policy-makers and organizational leaders.

Published: October 15, 2025

Automated decision-making systems based on algorithms and data are increasingly common today, with profound implications for individuals, communities and society. More than ever before, data equity is a shared responsibility that requires collective action to create data practices and systems that promote fair and just outcomes for all.

This paper, produced by members of the Global Future Council on Data Equity, proposes a data equity definition and framework for inquiry that spurs ongoing dialogue and continuous action towards implementing data equity in organizations. This framework serves as a dynamic tool for stakeholders committed to operationalizing data equity, across various sectors and regions, given the rapidly evolving data and technology landscapes.

Published: September 11, 2024