Trustworthy AI Data Communities (AI-DCs) : Unlocking the benefits of AI for all, using U.S. manufacturing as a case study

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often lack access to the extensive data and AI expertise needed to fully benefit from artificial intelligence. While data commons offer a pathway for pooling data and resources, traditional models fail to provide the privacy, confidentiality, and operational assurances required for SME participation. This paper introduces the AI Data Community (AI-DC), a novel framework that enables SMEs to safely and effectively participate in multiple data commons models while co-creating tailored AI innovations. Built on the MyDataCan privacy infrastructure, the AI-DC ecosystem fosters secure collaboration between manufacturers, researchers, and commercial providers—connecting real-world problems with cutting-edge solutions while safeguarding sensitive data.