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A flagship initiative of the Federal Statistical System, the National Secure Data Service (NSDS) Demonstration Platform will offer AI-powered shared services to address existing data silos and streamline access to public and confidential data, serving as an intelligent front door to America’s data. Authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the NSDS is currently in a demonstration period that began in 2022 and will conclude in August 2027. Several of its core services, including resources for data access, linkage, analysis, and privacy protections, have working prototypes undergoing internal testing and integration into a common platform.
Once launched, the NSDS will:
- Improve Data Access: The NSDS will be a centralized resource that will allow anyone to get immediate, individualized assistance navigating the government data ecosystem.
- Reduce Agency Burden: Through its shared services model, the NSDS will create opportunities to reduce the resource and financial burdens on individual agencies whenever they can take advantage of NSDS infrastructure and tools rather than building their own.
- Bolster Evidence-Building: The NSDS will transform processes for cross-agency data linkages with novel solutions for data access, record linking, and privacy protections. This can unlock innovative insights to inform policy and evidence building.
- Harness AI for Trusted Data: The NSDS's AI technology will prioritize accuracy and transparency in its results, draw on high-quality government data, and answer both open-ended statistical questions and general-interest questions about the data ecosystem.
These outcomes seek to address challenges and barriers in the current data ecosystem, including a complex landscape that can be confusing for both novice and expert users to navigate; the absence of a central access point to ask questions and receive individualized assistance regarding the nation’s data; and siloed processes across agencies that can make data linkages and collaborative partnerships difficult.
The NSDS is currently in the final stages of a demonstration period authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Section 10375 of this statute requires the NSDS Demonstration to:
- Consult with the United States Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR);
- Align with recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Data for Evidence Building (ACDEB) and engage with Federal, state, local, and tribal governments in support of evidence building; and,
- Use processes, systems, and technologies to protect restricted data.
The NSDS demonstration informs the viability and scalability of a future NSDS. It concludes in August 2027.
What the NSDS will be...
- A central location for finding information and asking questions about available data across the national data ecosystem
- A shared collection of AI-powered tools and resources for learning about data, honing data skills, and improving real-world analytic capabilities
- A secure computing environment for conducting approved projects and analyses that require restricted data
- A place to find and connect with other data users to identify potential collaborators, build community, and discuss best practices
- An innovative, adaptable platform that responds to users’ evolving data needs and current standards for best practices
What the NSDS will not be...
- A central data warehouse for the government’s data – rather, the NSDS provides a secure compute environment for linking and analyzing confidential data and could serve as a data enclave for approved agencies upon request
- A regulatory or policymaking body that will place new requirements on agency data practices – rather, the NSDS is available as a tool and a service for agencies who wish to take advantage of its offerings
- A replacement for existing cross-agency data services or initiatives, such as the Standard Application Process or Federal Statistical Research Data Centers – rather, the NSDS will supplement and enhance the current Federal statistical system’s offerings
- A one-size-fits-all solution to all of our nation’s data access, sharing, and linkage barriers – rather, addressing current challenges will require ongoing collaboration, buy-in, and investment to build a data ecosystem adaptable enough to respond to emerging needs and opportunities
Check back for updates on the scheduled launch date for the NSDS Demonstration Platform!