Microsoft is excited to support the launch of the Institutional Data Initiative (IDI) at Harvard Law School Library, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to expanding access to high-quality data and fostering an inclusive AI ecosystem.

Our Open Data Campaign, launched in 2020, aims to bridge the data divide, ensuring that organizations of all sizes have the data they need to innovate and thrive in a competitive AI economy. In a recent blog post, Microsoft’s leaders, Satya Nadella and Brad Smith, along with Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz, emphasized the critical role of data as the cornerstone of AI development. They advocated for the creation of open data commons to nourish a dynamic global data ecosystem.

The IDI collaborates with libraries, academic institutions, and government bodies worldwide, starting with collections at Harvard Law School Library and expanding to include the Boston Public Library. These collections offer rich insights into diverse cultures and historical perspectives, enriching AI development with broad human experiences.

In addition, Microsoft supports CORE, a nonprofit operated by The Open University in the UK, which is dedicated to opening access to scholarly knowledge. Our involvement will enhance CORE’s ability to provide machine-readable academic content, facilitate ethical research practices in AI, and expand access to scholarly works.

Access to a wide range of data is crucial for making AI transformative and equitable. It benefits not just large corporations like Microsoft but also researchers and startups. By increasing the diversity of data, we improve AI’s accuracy, safety, and fairness.

Through our partnerships with IDI and CORE, we aim to make diverse, high-quality data readily accessible to developers across the globe, driving more inclusive advancements in AI.