Organizing for data

In chapter 5, we discuss data, the central building block of AI. Both academically and in mainstream media, much is written about the extensive digitization and datafication of organizational processes. This can lead to an assumption by management that data 'is already there', if an AI system is being developed or needs to be developed. The cases in this book show that this is far from the case. We show that datasets do not just exist, but must be carefully compiled. This is a complex and laborious process with consequences for work and the resulting AI system. Managing AI systems in practice therefore first requires organizing for data. We end the chapter by describing some of the challenges of organizing for data.