Technical

data infrastructure

Technical platforms and secure processing environments for data exchange.

How the laws define this

National frameworks consistently define data infrastructure as the combination of technical platforms, standards, networks, and governance rules required to securely store, process, share, and ensure the interoperability of datasets. Instruments diverge primarily on whether the concept broadens to foundational hardware and public administration or targets specific resources for artificial intelligence. Frameworks such as Datenstrategie für Österreich, Estrategia Nacional Digital 2023-2026, and the Data Strategy of the Federal Government ('Datenstrategie der Bundesregierung') emphasize foundational physical hardware, high-performance computing, quantum preparatory measures, and public-sector policy arrangements. In contrast, Finland’s Age of Artificial Intelligence, the Programma Strategico per l'Intelligenza Artificiale 2022-2024, and AI Strategy 2019: AI for Everyone focus data infrastructure around shared datasets, compute resources, and test environments explicitly tailored to facilitate artificial intelligence development, research, testing, and social implementation.

Synthesised from the 6 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.

How jurisdictions differ

What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first. Showing 5 of the 6 instruments that define this term; all are listed under Definitions below.

JurisdictionInstrumentStatusWhat is distinctive
ColombiaNational Digital Strategy 2023-2026In ForceAdds policies, architectures and standards enabling production, sharing, interoperability and reuse of public and interoperable data across government and sectors.
AustriaData Strategy for AustriaAdoptedEmphasizes associated components for storage, processing and controlled exchange, with focus on interoperability, secure enclaves and EU-aligned cloud services.
FinlandFinland’s Age of Artificial IntelligenceAdoptedLimits to open and shared data services, standards, platforms and test environments supporting AI development and public-sector applications.
GermanyData Strategy of the Federal GovernmentAdoptedFocuses on technical foundations like high-performance computing, resilient storage, networks and quantum computing preparations for scalable data handling.
ItalyStrategic Programme on Artificial Intelligence 2022-2024SupersededNarrowly targets national/shared datasets, platforms and compute resources for responsible AI experimentation, testing and public/private collaboration.

Definitions (6)

Technical platforms, secure processing environments and associated components that enable storage, processing and controlled exchange of datasets across public-sector actors and partners. The Strategy frames these components as foundational for interoperability, secure enclaves for protected data, and scalable cloud or hosting services aligned with EU standards.

Refers to open and shared data services, standards, platforms, and test environments designed to enable cross-sector data access, interoperability, and reuse to support AI development and public‑sector applications.

Denotes national or shared datasets, platforms and compute resources designed to enable responsible experimentation and development of AI, including data‑sharing platforms with privacy safeguards and national data platform pilots. The Programme emphasises building such infrastructure to support research, testing and public/private collaboration.

An integrated concept encompassing datasets, data-sharing platforms, networks, and the accompanying technical and governance arrangements (interoperability, access, privacy/security rules) necessary to support AI development and social implementation across sectors.

Denotes the set of policies, platforms, architectures and standards that enable the production, sharing, interoperability and reuse of public and interoperable data across government and sectors. The END frames data infrastructure as an enabler for evidence‑based policy, public data platforms, and incentives for data reuse.

The set of technical foundations—including high‑performance computing, resilient storage, networks and preparatory measures for quantum computing—needed to collect, store, process and share data at scale. The term covers hardware, platforms, service architectures and associated standards required to ensure performance, resilience, security and interoperability for public and private data uses.

Not to be confused with

National data spaces

National data spaces refer specifically to structured interoperable repositories for safe reuse of public and research data, while data infrastructure encompasses broader platforms and environments.

platform

Platform denotes specific data and compute infrastructure with APIs and shared services for AI work, narrower than the comprehensive technical platforms and environments of data infrastructure.

digital infrastructure

Digital infrastructure covers networks, data centres, cloud and connectivity services, focusing more on physical and network elements than the data-specific processing and exchange platforms.

Questions and answers

How does Colombia define data infrastructure in its National Digital Strategy?

It denotes policies, platforms, architectures and standards enabling production, sharing, interoperability and reuse of public data across government and sectors. The strategy frames it as an enabler for evidence-based policy and data reuse incentives.

What components are highlighted in Austria's data infrastructure definition?

Technical platforms, secure processing environments and components for storage, processing and controlled exchange across public-sector actors. It emphasizes interoperability, secure enclaves and scalable cloud services aligned with EU standards.

In which strategy is data infrastructure tied to AI test environments?

Finland’s Age of Artificial Intelligence defines it as open and shared data services, standards, platforms and test environments for cross-sector data access to support AI development.