Open Data And The AI Resilience Premium
Red Hat, Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
For many large companies, AI is on every agenda, yet many leaders are still trying to make sense of what to do next. A big reason for this uncertainty is that huge amounts of data are still locked away in separate departments or stuck in systems that don't talk to each other, making it hard to turn that data into real value.
In 2026, the most forward-looking companies are starting to let go of the instinct to hold data tightly. Instead, they are focusing on what you might call a resilience advantage: working in open, collaborative networks that increase strength and flexibility instead of further isolation.
In Germany, this shift is taking shape through Manufacturing-X, a shared digital network that helps companies exchange data in a more secure manner. Manufacturing-X is an umbrella initiative dedicated to establishing open, security-enhanced, and sovereign data ecosystems across various industries. This exchange isn't about giving away intellectual property or sharing trade secrets; it's about building a common foundation that lets AI improve decision-making by providing a complete view of the business and its partners.