Strategic investments in data democratization for scientific innovation

Abstract

The urgent need for data democratization in scientific research was the focal point of a panel discussion at the International Conference for High Performance Computing, Networking, Storage, and Analysis (SC), held in Denver, Colorado, from November 12 to 17, 2023, summarizing the outcomes of that discussion and subsequent conversations. The panelists advocated for strategic investments in financial, human, and technological resources to achieve sustainable data democratization. Emphasizing that data is central to scientific discovery and AI deployment, the panel highlighted barriers such as limited access, inadequate financial incentives for cross-domain collaboration, and a shortage of workforce development initiatives. The recommendations in this article aim to guide decision-makers in fostering an inclusive research community, breaking down research silos, and developing a skilled workforce to advance scientific discovery through data democratization.