Opinion: What it takes — and what’s next — to build data for social impact

What does it take to build the field of data for social impact?

As the past two years have illustrated with stunning clarity, it takes collaboration and capacity — reinforcing data.org’s mission to serve as a platform for partnerships that build and accelerate the field.

Two years ago, data.org released a first-of-its-kind report, “Workforce Wanted: Data Talent for Social Impact.” In this report, we highlight an opportunity that continues to inspire, motivate, and challenge those of us who believe in and are committed to harnessing the power of data for social impact. We have the potential to develop 3.5 million purpose-driven data professionals in low- and middle-income countries between now and 2032. With the proliferation of artificial intelligence, the demand for these data for social impact, or DSI, professionals is greater than ever with no signs of slowing — yet the workforce remains woefully underdeveloped.

We will only meet the urgency of this moment if we accelerate our efforts to foster global cross-sector collaboration and increase purpose-driven data capacity.

Setting the goal posts: Outlining pathways into the profession

When we set out to write “Workforce Wanted,” our team reviewed research, interviewed experts, and evaluated more than 200 data talent initiatives around the world.

Consistently, these materials and conversations came back to the same question: How do we recruit, retain, and support a stronger data talent pipeline?

The report ultimately identified four pathways to expand the DSI talent pool:

1. Attracting new talent and early career professionals into the field.

2. Upskilling and reskilling existing workers in the social impact sector.

3. Creating opportunities that allow for a more agile flow of talent across the private or public sector into the social sector.

4. Galvanizing leadership to commit to and invest in data-led cultures.

With research in hand and our network of partners continuing to grow, it was time for data.org to put information into action.

Advancing the ball: Leading with localism for a global workforce

One year after the release of “Workforce Wanted,” data.org reached another important milestone: the establishment of the Capacity Accelerator Network, or CAN, in India.

With three, soon-to-be-four, hubs globally, the CAN is central to our efforts to build the worldwide workforce of purpose-driven data practitioners. Rather than developing data solutions or investing in capacity building with a centralized strategy, our CAN accelerators in India, the United States, across Africa, and soon Southeast Asia are built around the understanding that for solutions to be effective, equitable, sustainable, and — perhaps most importantly — trusted, they need to be informed by local context and designed and developed by local communities.

In partnership with J-PAL South Asia and three leading university partners, the India accelerator is taking the pathways identified in “Workforce Wanted” and using them as a road map for workforce development.

Through experiential learning — including one-year fellowships — and a rigorous curriculum anchored in inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, or IDEA, we are educating new talent, creating opportunities for upskilling existing practitioners, and illustrating for organizational leaders in our network and beyond that this work isn’t just a nice to have. This work is essential to stay relevant in the era of AI to maximize organizational efficacy and accelerate meaningful change.

Sharing the playbook: Building tools for accelerating the field

At data.org, we’ve done our homework. We’ve reviewed the literature and conducted our own research. We’ve listened to social impact organizations around the world and learned from their best practices. We’ve used our convening power to bring together the greatest minds and problem solvers in this space to collectively advance the field.

And now, two years after “Workforce Wanted” highlighted why this work matters, we are helping to show the way forward.

This year, data.org unveiled a new suite of digital products designed to elevate organizations applying data and AI for social impact. This supercharged platform includes a curated jobs board, expert Q&A, easy-to-use guides, a directory for community groups, and an AI-powered search for questions on DSI. The platform also offers our Data Maturity Assessment, which has yielded more than 2,000 responses to date, and a series of playbooks that provide detailed guidance on how to leverage data and AI for impact in critical areas including climate, gender, and higher education.

If you want to use data for social impact, this platform is an essential starting point.

So, what does it take to build the field of data for social impact? Our exciting new capabilities at data.org, which build on nearly five years of partnership and capacity-building efforts in the field, showcase exactly what it takes. Evidence-based tools, expert perspectives, high-quality vetted resources, and communities of practice to connect with are served up as catalysts for change.

There is great work happening around the world. We are bringing those lessons learned out of silos and into a stronger, more connected, and more collaborative global community. This community needs a home base, and data.org is meeting this need by delivering the convenings, tools, training, and resources to engage the organizations and individuals accelerating data and AI for impact.

Join us! Explore our new capabilities and content at data.org.