Mark Surman on Data Governance: Decentralizing Control to Build Trustworthy AI

My guest for Episode 2  is Mark Surman, the Executive Director of the Mozilla Foundation.

Mozilla began in the late 90s with the mission of keeping the internet open and accessible for all.  In recent years, Mozilla has taken up the mantle of what it describes as Trustworthy AI, which is a central theme of my conversation with Mark.  Specifically, we address how decentralizing the control of our data (and its related potential) from the handful of top players is a key step for enabling a trustworthy AI ecosystem.  

We begin by discussing the parallels between breaking the data monopoly today and efforts in the late 90s to free the internet from single-browser control.  We also break down examples of alternative approaches to data governance — such as data trusts and data collectives—  that are in the works.  

I ask Mark to help us understand what we stand to gain:  what it might look like to live in a world of AI that distributes the benefit of our data for us and for the public good?  How does better data stewardship translate in terms of agency, opportunity and access in our digital world?

Mark is a consummate expert and civil society leader, who brings depth to understanding  these issues. His wealth of experience offers a rich context for the AI policy conversation…. by reminding us that although the challenges seem daunting there are many things that we can do, that we have done, and that much promising work is underway.