Datasphere Governance Atlas 2025

The 2025 Datasphere Governance Atlas explores the evolution of data governance in a rapidly changing world. In light of current geopolitical developments, accelerated digital transformation, and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the report examines how the global data governance ecosystem has progressed since the launch of the Datasphere Initiative in 2022.

By strengthening the foundations of the field, the Atlas contributes to building a more coherent, informed, and globally relevant data governance landscape. It raises critical questions, identifies existing gaps, and highlights opportunities to advance more inclusive and effective governance approaches — grounded in the shared goal of responsibly unlocking the value of data for all.

The 2025 edition is grounded in the mapping of 778 organizations across more than 100 countries, of which 420 are profiled in depth. These organizations include:

• Public sector institutions and regulatory agencies

• Civil society organizations and advocacy networks

• Research centers and academic initiatives

• Philanthropic funders and multistakeholder coalitions

This research forms the basis of the Datasphere Observatory — a new online platform designed to provide a dynamic and accessible map of actors, funders, and themes in the field. The Observatory aims to facilitate further analysis and coordination, while drawing attention to intersecting issues such as gender, environmental sustainability, and the implications of emerging technologies like AI.