Presenter / Author: Reyna Broadhurst
The World Data System (WDS), initially created via the International Science Council in 2008, builds on a strong and proven legacy of predecessor World Data Centers established to ensure long-term stewardship, curation, archiving, and dissemination of data. Today, the WDS has a membership of over 145 trusted data repositories and data-focussed organizations. The mission of WDS is to enhance the capabilities, impact, and sustainability of its member data repositories and data services by creating trusted communities of scientific data repositories, strengthening the scientific enterprise throughout the entire lifecycle of data and all related components, creating first-class data that feeds first-class research output, and advocating for accessible data and transparent and reproducible science.
Repositories, an essential element of the research enterprise, must demonstrate continued relevance to the research communities they serve. In this presentation, we will explore how the WDS and repositories are mobilizing to increase their AI-readiness and to support federated systems, data spaces and down-stream applications. While demonstrating the value of trusted data repositories in the provision of FAIR and machine-actionable data as part of these interconnected systems, we recognize that many challenges and gaps are not yet solved. Thus, we also will highlight areas for improvement, feature promising initiatives, and emphasize the importance of coordinated and collective action.