Addressing Inequality and the ‘Data Divide’

ITIF vice president Daniel Castro contributed an article to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s recently released collection of essays on how data and the Internet is changing the face of business and society. In his article, Castro argues that in the coming years, communities across the nation will increasingly rely on data to improve quality of life for their residents, such as by improving educational outcomes, reducing healthcare costs, and increasing access to financial services. However, these opportunities require that individuals have access to high-quality data about themselves and their communities. A looming “data divide” threatens to stall the benefits of data-driven innovation for a wide swathe of America. Given this risk, policymakers should make a concerted effort to combat data poverty.