Back to search

SAMKUL-Samfunnsutviklingens kulturell

Critical Data Network

Awarded: NOK 0.23 mill.

Data is critically relevant to modern societies, but also demands our critical attention in order to avoid unwanted effects on society. As well as excessive surveillance, such unwanted effects include filter bubbles - limited insights into choices that algorithms provide - and the influence that big data analyses have on policy and practice. Whether in intelligence, in neuroscience or the media - enthusiasm for big data-analytics and high expectations of AI are widespread in societal institutions. But has the time come to move from big data to select and small data analytics? What determines the quality of data: amount or content? How do recent advances in data analytics, e.g. intelligent algorithms, interact with humans? Data collection and management is so omnipresent in society that only interdisciplinary approaches can attempt to understand its effects on and in society. Exploring what kind of data is really needed for society to function requires new perspectives. The Critical Data Network (CDN) combined insights into technology from criminological studies, the social and political sciences (e.g. on how technology influences rights & social practice; how technology itself is political), philosophy (e.g. on the concept of data & technology ethics), cultural studies (e.g. about digital cultures & aesthetics), as well as informatics and bio-engineering (e.g. about the functioning & construction of solutions). In dedicated workshops, the Critical Data Network explored data-related dilemmas within the media, brain research and the police. The network's starting point and results are concrete. Representatives from - NRKbeta, - the medical project DIGIbrain and - Oslo Financial Intelligence Unit presented the latest developments in data-driven technologies from inside their organizations. Amongst many others, this included issues such as automated content-editing and digital data-driven journalism and the rising importance of open datasets for news media (Workshop 1). It included the issue of identifying common standards for digital information used in brain research and bio-engineering (Workshop 2), but also the promises and pitfalls of automatization within intelligence policing (Workshop 3). Experts from each respective field discussed a key dilemma, and solutions to it that support the cautious, target-oriented use of data. This dialogical format furthered learning about new developments in digital data practices across key societal fields. It also stimulated reflections within those organizations who produce, collect and analyze digital data. This was the key ambition of the network. Beyond that, CDN was part of several outreach sessions and media reports. It formed the basis for a collective and interdisciplinary article project on 'Data Criticality' written by four network members, which has been submitted to an academic journal. In a final workshop (Workshop 4) the network's insights were translated into concrete research ideas, which led to two research proposals that include some of the network's members. Through these project proposals, the CDN reached beyond its original core and associated members to include a broader range of experts.

2018: 10.09.: Creation of project website with project information and 4 news articles including interview material 02.10.: Project kickoff & workshop 1 'Data Criticality & Smart Technologies in the Media' with NRK Beta and Nanna Bonde Thylstrup, 23.10.: Workshop 2 'Data criticality in brain research/the life sciences' with the project DIGIbrain and Kjetil Rommetveit. 18.12.: Workshop 3 'Data Criticality in Intelligence and Police Work' with Heidi Mork Lomell and the Oslo Financial Intelligence Unit. 2019: 15.02.: Workshop 4 'Project Development' 10.04.: Submission of two independent project proposals 30.04.: Submission of scholarly article on the concept of 'Data Criticality', abstract accepted Ongoing: Networking activities with concrete invitations of project members for further collaboration (research projects, presentations, writings) Outreach activities, e.g. CDN contributes to talks at Faculty level and at international conferences and workshops.

The proposed network will focus on what drives the development of digital technologies: data. It uses the approach of data criticality to explore technological shifts and their effects on society. Data is critically relevant to modern societies, but also demands critical attention. Whether in neuroscience or the media, enthusiasm for big data-analytics and high expectations of AI are widespread in societal institutions. But has the time come to move from big data to select and small data analytics? What determines the quality of data: amount or content? How do recent advances in data analytics, e.g. intelligent algorithms, interact with humans? In dedicated workshops, Critical Data Network will use interdisciplinary perspectives to explore data-related dilemmas within the media, medical services and the police. The network's starting point and results will be concrete: representatives from NRKbeta, the medical project DIGIbrain and Oslo police will present the latest developments in data-driven technologies from inside their organizations. A key dilemma, and solutions to it that support the cautious, target-oriented use of data will be discussed with academic experts. Briefings will summarize the workshop results and new ideas for the development of solutions within participating organizations.

Funding scheme:

SAMKUL-Samfunnsutviklingens kulturell