Rolls Data Alliance Targets Economic Recovery

British engineering legend Rolls-Royce has announced the launch of Emer²gent, an alliance of data experts aiming to support global businesses and governments recovering from the economic impacts of Covid-19. Members include IBM and Google Cloud.

The alliance builds on Rolls' development of a system of innovation hubs called R² Data Labs, two and a half years ago which use analytics, AI and machine learning technologies to drive design, manufacturing and operational efficiencies.

Also joining the voluntary alliance at this initial stage are Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, The Data City, Truata and ODI Leeds. The alliance will be facilitated and co-ordinated by innovation specialists, Whitespace, and Rolls-Royce says the members bring 'all the key elements of open innovation; data publication, licensing, privacy, security; data analytics capability; and collaborative infrastructure'. Findings will be made available for free.

The group will combine traditional economic, business, travel and retail data sets with behaviour and sentiment data to provide new insights and practical applications, with 'a sharp focus on privacy and security'. Its models aim to help governments and businesses of all sizes get back to work as soon as possible, for example by identifying and encouraging 'investments or policies that could shorten or limit the recessionary impacts from the pandemic'. A key initial goal will be to identify lead indicators of economic recovery which businesses can use to build necessary confidence for investment and other activities to shorten or limit the recessionary impact of the virus.

Caroline Gorski (pictured), Global Director of R² Data Labs comments: 'We want the global economy to get better as soon as possible so people can get back to work. Our data innovation community can help do this and is at its best when it comes together for the common good. People, businesses and governments around the world have changed the way they spend, move, communicate and travel because of COVID-19 and we can use that insight, along with other data, to provide the basis for identifying what new insights and trends may emerge that signify the world's adjustment to a 'new normal' after the pandemic'.

Potential members of the alliance can register their interest at www.emer2gent.org. Rolls-Royce is online at www.rolls-royce.com .