Launch of the Centre of Data for Public Good (CDPG)

In a significant move towards utilizing data for social benefit, the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has introduced the Centre of Data for Public Good (CDPG). This initiative is dedicated to advancing research, innovation, collaboration, and best practices in the domains of data science, analytics, and policy to tackle critical societal challenges.

Mission and Focus Areas

CDPG aims to serve as a central hub for multidisciplinary research, fostering collaboration among experts from academia, industry, and government. The primary goal is to harness the power of data for the betterment of the public. The center places a strong emphasis on ethical data use, privacy, and responsible artificial intelligence (AI). Its focus areas include smart cities, agriculture, logistics, geospatial analysis, environmental sustainability, and more.

Integration of Pioneering ProjectsThe Centre plans to integrate insights from pioneering projects such as the India Urban Data Exchange (IUDX) and the Agricultural Data Exchange (ADeX). These projects, focusing on urban and agricultural sectors, align seamlessly with CDPG’s mission. By incorporating the expertise and resources of IUDX and ADeX, the Centre aims to create a collaborative environment that accelerates the development and implementation of data-centric solutions.

Launch Symposium: A Gathering of Experts

To mark the launch of the Centre, IISc organized the Symposium on Data for Public Good. This flagship event brought together thought leaders, researchers, and practitioners in the field. Distinguished speakers included Kris Gopalakrishnan, Chairman of Axilor Ventures and Co-founder of Infosys; J Satyanarayana, Chief Advisor at C4IR India, World Economic Forum; Rajendra Kumar, Chief Postmaster General, Karnataka; Kunal Kumar, Joint Secretary and Mission Director, Smart Cities Mission, and Pramod Varma, CTO of Ekstep Foundation.

Panel Discussions and Hackathon Announcement

The symposium featured panel discussions on urban data, data governance, and agricultural and geospatial data. The event culminated with the announcement of a hackathon focusing on transportation demand prediction for specific bus routes in Surat and air quality prediction for specific road segments in Bengaluru. This practical initiative reflects the Centre’s commitment to translating discussions into actionable solutions for real-world challenges.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2023