As the economy is transformed by data, both the public and private sectors are increasingly viewing data as an asset, making it evident that data holds economic value. Because of this, data valuation has received increasing attention. However, because data is an intangible asset, there is no consensus on how to measure its value; indeed, the marginal value of (more) data is likely to depend on the context and purpose in which the valuation is taking place. Yet policies that restrict or facilitate the cross-border flow of data are within the remit of trade policy makers, who therefore need to understand the implications of such policy interventions. Our two speakers, Dame Diane Coyle (University of Cambridge) and Nils Wernerfelt (Northwestern University), will explore the topic of data valuation and its benefits and challenges in different contexts.
The study group is co-organized by the UK Trade Policy Observatory, University of Sussex; the Centre for International Governance Innovation; and the Digital Trade and Data Governance Hub, George Washington University.
