London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Sep 15, 2025

London will only realise its true potential if it unlocks the power of data, says key report

London will only realise its true potential if it unlocks the power of data, says key report

London Data Commission says data can help improve infrastructure, digital education, neighbourhoods and the capital’s resilience to major events.

London should use the huge amounts of data generated in the city to help improve infrastructure, digital education, neighbourhoods and the capital’s resilience to major events such as pandemics, the London Data Commission has said in its first major report.

The group said data must be used more effectively if London was to successfully tackle challenges and “safeguard its precarious economic recovery”.

The capital generates vast amounts of data but it is fragmented across multiple organisations and much of it sits inside companies. The vast majority is never analysed despite the invaluable insights it contains.

The Commission looks at how London’s public authorities and business could share and analyse non-personal and anonymised data to benefit the city. It worked with Microsoft – which provided Azure AI, cloud infrastructure and services – the Oliver Wyman Forum and Arup to develop the report, titled Data for London.


A chart from the London Data Commission’s report


The London Data Commission has recommended the following framework:

* A London Data Board to boost the use of data currently available in London and support the creation of an internationally leading city data platform, to bring together anonymised data from the public, private and third sector to deliver clearer insights into the city’s challenges

* A London Data Charter to safeguard the anonymity and security of data from individuals and businesses, and maintain the highest standards of data management and transparency

* Data Innovation Challenges to promote the use cases and testing of new data technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twinning, blockchain and analytics, and help ensure these innovations benefit all Londoners

* Finding new ways to Collaborate With Others, by providing a strong and coherent voice for London in discussions with government and other cities about how the city can benefit from the use of its data.

The commission has also launched four pilot schemes to demonstrate the value of private and public sector collaboration on data. These focus on developing insights into future infrastructure needs to support the rapid uptake of electric vehicles; transforming the way digital education is delivered by looking at the individual needs of distinct geographic areas within the city; creating smarter neighbourhoods that use data to unlock local economic development and employment opportunities; and unlocking data-led solutions to the key challenges facing London as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic - including how the city can improve its resilience to future threats.

Jasmine Whitbread, Chief Executive of London First, a group of leading businesses in the capital that set up the London Data Commission, said: “The pandemic has shown the vital role data can play in coordinating responses at a city-level – for example, on the busy times of day for public transport.

The potential for data-led projects to positively impact our lives, from public health and education to transport, is limitless.

We can no longer ignore the economic and social benefits that data-led transformation can bring. That’s why we’re launching new pilots in electric vehicles, digital education, and smarter neighbourhoods, which will harness the power of data to improve the lives of Londoners.”



Microsoft’s participation in the London Data Commission follows the recent launch of the technology company’s Open Data Campaign. The campaign aims to close the looming “data divide” and help organisations of all sizes to realise the benefits of data and the new technologies it powers, including through data collaborations.

Applying this approach to London will help the city’s leaders to make informed decisions, communities to build resilience and small businesses to identify growth opportunities.

Cindy Rose, Chief Executive of Microsoft UK, said: “While London’s economy has been severely impacted by the pandemic, we have an opportunity to emerge stronger with a recovery based on data and AI.

Across every industry, and especially in healthcare, we’ve seen how better data leads to better execution and results. New ideas, approaches and businesses will emerge when private and public information is brought together.

“Through our work with the London Data Commission and The Alan Turing institute, we are supporting the development of a world-leading urban data platform to assess and understand how Londoners respond to public health measures such as social distancing as well as mapping the strength of the recovery across our city.

As we enter the next stage of this crisis, I’d urge every leader to consider what data they might contribute to the project to rebuild our economy in a sustainable and inclusive way.”

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Elon Musk Retakes Lead as World’s Richest After Brief Ellison Surge
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
London Daily Podcast: London Massive Pro Democracy Rally, Musk Support, UK Economic Data and Premier League Results Mark Eventful Weekend
This Week in AI: Meta’s Superintelligence Push, xAI’s Ten Billion-Dollar Raise, Genesis AI’s Robotics Ambitions, Microsoft Restructuring, Amazon’s Million-Robot Milestone, and Google’s AlphaGenome Update
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Musk calls for new UK government at huge pro-democracy rally in London, but Britons have been brainwashed to obey instead of fighting for their human rights
Elon Musk responds to post calling for the murder of Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk: 'Either we fight back or they will kill us'
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
USA: Office Depot Employees Refused to Print Poster in Memory of Charlie Kirk – and Were Fired
Proposed U.S. Bill Would Allow Civil Suits Against Judges Who Release Repeat Violent Offenders
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
Tens of Thousands of Young Chinese Get Up Every Morning and Go to Work Where They Do Nothing
The New Life of Novak Djokovic
The German Owner of Politico Mathias Döpfner Eyes Further U.S. Media Expansion After Axel Springer Restructuring
Suspect Arrested: Utah Man in Custody for Charlie Kirk’s Fatal Shooting
In a politically motivated trial: Bolsonaro Sentenced to 27 Years for Plotting Coup After 2022 Defeat
German police raid AfD lawmaker’s offices in inquiry over Chinese payments
Turkish authorities seize leading broadcaster amid fraud and tax investigation
Volkswagen launches aggressive strategy to fend off Chinese challenge in Europe’s EV market
ChatGPT CEO signals policy to alert authorities over suicidal youth after teen’s death
The British legal mafia hit back: Banksy mural of judge beating protester is scrubbed from London court
Surpassing Musk: Larry Ellison becomes the richest man in the world
Embarrassment for Starmer: He fired the ambassador photographed on Epstein’s 'pedophile island'
Manhunt after 'skilled sniper' shot Charlie Kirk. Footage: Suspect running on rooftop during panic
Effective Protest Results: Nepal’s Prime Minister Resigns as Youth-Led Unrest Shakes the Nation
Qatari prime minister says Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages
King Charles and Prince Harry Share First In-Person Moment in 19 Months
Starmer Establishes Economic ‘Budget Board’ to Centralise Policy and Rebuild Business Trust
France Erupts in Mass ‘Block Everything’ Protests on New PM’s First Day
Poland Shoots Down Russian Drones in Airspace Violation During Ukraine Attack
Brazilian police say ex-President Bolsonaro had planned to flee to Argentina seeking asylum
Trinidad Leader Applauds U.S. Naval Strike and Advocates Forceful Action Against Traffickers
Kim Jong Un Oversees Final Test of New High-Thrust Solid-Fuel Rocket Engine
Apple Introduces Ultra-Thin iPhone Air, Enhanced 17 Series and New Health-Focused Wearables
Macron Appoints Sébastien Lecornu as Prime Minister Amid Budget Crisis and Political Turmoil
Supreme Court temporarily allows Trump to pause billions in foreign aid
Charlie Sheen says his father, Martin Sheen, turned him in to the police: 'The greatest betrayal possible'
Vatican hosts first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage
Apple Unveils iPhone 17 Series, iPhone Air, Apple Watch 11 and More at 'Awe Dropping' Event
Pig Heads Left Outside Multiple Paris Mosques in Outrage-Inducing Acts
Nvidia’s ‘Wow’ Factor Is Fading. The AI chip giant used to beat Wall Street expectations for earnings by a substantial margin. That trajectory is coming down to earth.
France joins Eurozone’s ‘periphery’ as turmoil deepens, say investors
On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Death: Prince Harry Returns to Britain
×