A significant breakthrough in the accessibility of scientific data has been achieved with the introduction of the FAIR2 Data Management platform by Frontiers. This innovative system utilizes artificial intelligence to transform how biodiversity and environmental data is shared, making it easier for researchers, policymakers, and community initiatives to access and utilize this information.
Despite the vast amount of research data generated, a large portion remains unutilized, often confined to laboratories or lost over time. Estimates suggest that around 80 out of every 100 datasets produced never leave the lab, while only a fraction is reused effectively. The FAIR2 platform aims to address this issue with an AI-driven approach that enhances data reusability, verifiability, and citation standards.
This comprehensive service integrates essential processes such as data curation, compliance checks, AI-ready formatting, peer review, and interactive visualization into a single platform. By doing so, it facilitates responsible sharing of scientific work, allowing researchers to receive proper acknowledgment for their contributions.
Understanding the FAIR Principles
The FAIR principles—Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable—serve as the foundation for the FAIR2 Data Management system. Established in a 2016 paper published in the journal Scientific Data, these principles were endorsed by G20 leaders during their summit that same year. The FAIR2 platform represents the first practical implementation of these principles, particularly relevant in an era where research output is rapidly increasing and artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of scientific discovery.
A New Era of Science Accessibility
By streamlining processes that previously took months into mere minutes, the AI Data Steward, developed by Senscience, significantly reduces the time required for organizing and validating datasets. Researchers submitting their data receive several integrated outputs: a certified Data Package, a peer-reviewed and citable Data Article, an Interactive Data Portal with visualizations and AI chat capabilities, and a FAIR2 Certificate. Each component is designed with quality controls and user-friendly summaries to enhance understanding and compatibility across various scientific disciplines.
One notable example of the platform”s capabilities is its dataset on Environmental Pressure Indicators, which amalgamates observed data and modeled forecasts from 43 countries over six decades. This dataset is crucial for sustainability benchmarks and informed climate policy planning.
With the goal of improving visibility and accessibility, the FAIR2 platform encourages responsible reuse of data by scientists, policymakers, and communities, thus maximizing the returns on investments made in scientific research.
Feedback from the global scientific community has been positive. Dr. Ángel Borja, a Principal Researcher at AZTI and a member of the Basque Research and Technology Alliance, emphasized the value of this new data curation method, stating, “I highly recommend using this kind of data curation and publication of articles, because you can generate information very quickly, and it”s useful formatting for any end users.”
