A major barrier to global development is data inequality, which prevents organizations in emerging markets from accessing the tools and information they need to address social and environmental issues. As artificial intelligence and cloud computing continue to transform the way organizations operate, the gap between data-rich and data-poor regions continues to grow.
Climate action is often attributed to data; however, data inequality has become a significant obstacle to progress worldwide. The challenge of accessing the tools and information needed to address social issues and climate change is insurmountable for organizations in developing regions.
Snowflake, a provider of cloud-based data platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) services, has now devised a program to address these disparities in data quality and accessibility. ‘End Data Disparity’ is a key initiative by Snowflake to bring together global leaders from various industries to address and reduce disparities in data quality, availability and accessibility by leveraging Snowflake’s data capabilities and collective power, including partners and customers.
Data accessibility is one of the keys to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, yet many regions lack the infrastructure and expertise to effectively gather and process data. Current data shows only 17% of measurable SDG targets are on track for completion by 2030, highlighting systemic issues in how organizations gather and use information to drive social progress. Snowflake’s new programme aims to close this gap.
“At Snowflake, we help organisations solve their most critical data challenges,” said Benoit Dageville, Snowflake Co-Founder and End Data Disparity panel member. “Now is the time to use the power of data to accelerate progress in addressing social, health and climate issues, with the same knowledge and insight that has powered the cloud and AI booms. Working together with the incredible experts in corporate, nonprofit and governmental institutions, can result in real progress being made to end data disparity.”
Taking part in the initiative, Snowflake has assembled a panel of data and technology experts from both the public and private sectors, who will provide domain expertise and strategic guidance in addressing global data inequality. The panel comprises 11 members from across the technology and development sectors. These include Karen Beauné, VP EMEA Marketing, Snowflake,Arndt Brinkmann, Senior Director, Associate General Counsel, Snowflake,Dr Tom Chatfield, Author and Tech Philosopher, Stephen C. Daffron, Chairman at BetaNXT and Founding Partner, Motive Partners, Benoit Dageville, Co-Founder and President of Products, Snowflake, Lisa Lim Ah Ken, Senior Specialist, Climate Action, International Organisation for Migration, UN,Mats Pellbäck Scharp, Chairman, We Don’t Have Time,Denise Persson, Chief Marketing Officer, Snowflake, Elena Philipova, Director, Sustainable Finance and Investment, Data and Analytics, LSEG, Dr Elisabetta Pietrostefani, Lecturer in Geographic Data Science, University of Liverpool, Jennifer L. Wong, Former Global Head, Strategy and Business Transformation, Digital Data and AI, Sanofi.
It is through data that people are able to better understand the world and make improvements to it. Providing universal access to quality data and encouraging its accessibility through technology adoption and utilization will enable more individuals and organizations to work toward meeting the UN’s Global Goals related to climate change, social issues, as well as health.
The programme will be chaired by Karen Beauné, VP EMEA Marketing, Snowflake. The first End Data Disparity panel meeting will take place prior to the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025. Following that, the panel will meet regularly, providing advice and recommending strategic decisions and actions to help drive better data access and representation for organizations.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the importance of seamless data sharing and advanced AI integration becomes more evident. Snowflake’s efforts in enabling businesses to harness the power of data reflect a significant shift towards a more connected and intelligent future. Such tech collaborations have a greater meaning and a larger-than-life role for generations to come. Snowflake’s platform currently supports thousands of companies in sharing data and building AI applications. The company views this initiative as an extension of its mission to democratize access to data technologies.
