The ownership of different data sets could be distributed among various parties. This means that different stakeholders could have control over diverse pieces of the digital twin ecosystem. Governance, on the other hand, is about facilitating a fair distribution of value, which includes end users, and making sure everyone adheres to the set standards.

Regulation is crucial in shaping the desired behaviours, especially when market forces fall short. This enables the digital twin ecosystem to operate smoothly and effectively, creating an environment that is not only conducive to growth but also promotes the principles of accountability and transparency [1].

These elements relating to the Gemini Principle of Curation, enable the successful implementation and operation of a digital twin network.

Mechanisms - how to embed Curation

Designing strong governance models

Trust in connected digital twins hinges on a reliable operating model, robust stakeholder governance, and transparent performance monitoring [4]. Both corporate and societal purposes can drive the creation of a connected digital twin, but aligning this purpose with broader corporate governance objectives enhances the chances of success.

The governance model plays a crucial role in its operation and evaluation and tips for its design can be found in the report Trust, Purpose, Value and Connected Digital Twins [7]. Factors such as context, complexity, scale, and sensitivity assist stakeholders in determining the necessary governance bodies. These bodies, along with the stakeholders, need a clear understanding of how the connected digital twin is developed and deployed. Clear terms of reference empower governance bodies to verify compliance with the rules and foster trust in competence and outcomes. These rules outline how connected digital twins will function to fulfil its purpose. It includes the type of data that will be made accessible, the identity or class of the individuals or organizations with access, the uses to which they can put that data, the policies, ethics, mechanisms, and standards for data assurance and information governance (including AI ethics and governance), and how broader legal and regulatory issues should be addressed.

This governance model facilitates that all stakeholders have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, facilitating a smooth operation and evolution of the connected digital twin.

The Gemini Papers [3] state that governance is crucial to participate in the ecosystem of connected digital twins, enabling informed decisions about information management and preventing inconsistencies and inefficiencies across the enterprise. Identifying the necessary roles and responsibilities related to information is equally important, and these roles should be assigned to specific individuals.

Legal guidance

When developing a digital twin, it's essential to consider several legal aspects. For instance, data sharing must comply with competition law, intellectual property rights, and existing contracts. However, if sharing data for public good is deemed unlawful, it might be necessary to revisit the applicable legislation and contractual arrangements [3]. The introduction of laws like GDPR has transformed how personal data is used, offering protection to consumers while enabling data sharing. The Digital Twin Toolkit [4] provides guidance around these areas when drafting contractual documents:

1. Responsibility, such as data updating and storage.

2. Potential liabilities and their allocation.

3. Ownership of the data and of the digital twin.

4. Data restrictions and compliance with data laws.

5. Technical specifications to enable all parties to participate seamlessly.

6. Security and Integrity to establish when parties' responsibility for the data ceases, and who is responsible for maintaining the data's security.

Standards

Connected digital twins involve bringing together a diverse range of stakeholders, each one operating with their own IT infrastructure and at different stages of data maturity. To enable the successful integration of these varied components, the adoption of recognized standards is crucial. These standards serve as a guideline to harmonize the process and facilitate a uniform approach towards data quality, security, and compliance.

The joining rules must be balanced to provide a low enough barrier to entry so as not to inhibit take-up, but high enough that data quality, security and compliance are not detrimentally affected [8].

One such standard, amongst others, is ISO19650: Managing information with Building Information Modelling (BIM). However, it is important to note that this standard may need to be upgraded to fit the specific requirements of connected digital twins [8].

A collaborative approach

The Gemini Papers: How to enable an ecosystem of digital twins? [3] describes effective coordination which requires a middle-out approach, blending a specialist-led top-down approach with a community-led bottom-up approach. This strategy encourages a robust plan and route to standard practices while letting practitioners highlight knowledge gaps.

Fostering collaboration between developers and investors in digital twins is essential. It allows for knowledge sharing, networking, and the development of best practices. As we create an ecosystem of digital twins, we can learn greatly from sectors like manufacturing, agriculture, and robotics, which are already using digital twins and connected digital twins to make informed decisions.

Benefits Realisation Framework

As mentioned in the report Gemini Papers: How to enable an ecosystem of digital twins? [3], to monitor and evaluate the progress of interventions, a Benefits Realisation Framework is needed. This framework would include Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the progress and benefits of connected digital twins, along with governance arrangements to support data capture, management, and dissemination.

Skills and Competencies for Curation

To establish a strong skill set within the team, competency scorecards presented in the Skills & Competencies Framework are a valuable tool. These scorecards will help identify skill and competency gaps, build cross-functional teams, and develop a resource plan and pipeline of skills needed over a specific time frame [6].

In relation to the Gemini Principle of Curation, Lifecycle Assurance & Quality Management skills are essential. These include data validation, information requirements and governance, quality analysis and improvement, and process modelling, and are crucial for understanding the relationship between lifecycle management, process modelling, and data quality [6]. These skills are essential for roles like Data Regulator, Policy Maker, Data Governance Specialist, Sector Regulator, Data Custodian, Data Steward, and Digital Twin Architect [6]. They help build trust and transparency in data processes, governance and outcomes, fostering a culture of quality improvement for informed decision-making.

Ethical considerations

The application of the Curation Gemini Principles in digital twins involves significant ethical considerations, requiring careful choices about data collection and parameter use [2]. These decisions, which are not merely technical, require a nuanced approach to governance and regulation. Enforcement methods may include sector-based regulation or data guardians.

The leadership in digital twin governance is expected to break traditional constraints, creating a vibrant synergy between academia, industry, government, and civil society. Continuous learning and iterative improvements are crucial to data curation, making sure digital twins are both technologically advanced and ethically sound. This commitment enables data curation to reach new heights, to make sure that digital twins are not only at the cutting edge of technology but also firmly grounded in ethical practices.

Examples

Case Studies

The case study outlined below demonstrates the practical applicability of digital twins in relevance to the Gemini Principle of Curation.

• CReDo, which involves integration of diverse datasets owned by different infrastructure sectors and acts as an example of how on one hand ownership of different datasets could be distributed among various parties, yet on the other hand, the model of governance implemented facilitates a fair distribution of value, and adherence to set standards.

Please see the DT Hub case study register (Case Studies - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) for further evidence of successful outcomes with digital twins.

References

[1] The Gemini Principles. Available at: https://digitaltwinhub.co.uk/files/file/12-gemini-principles/. Accessed March 18, 2024.

[2] Digital Twins, Ethics and the Gemini Principles. Available at: Digital_Twins_Ethics_and_the_Gemini_Principles.pdf (utwente.nl) Accessed March 18, 2024.

[3] Gemini Papers: How to Enable at Ecosystem of Connected Digital Twins? Available at: The Gemini Papers - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk). Accessed March 18, 2024.

[4] Digital Twin Navigator. Available at Digital Twin Navigator - Public Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk). Accessed March 18, 2024.

[5] Digital Twin Toolkit. Available at Digital Twin Toolkit - Public Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) Accessed March 18, 2024.

[6] Skills and Competency Framework. Available at: Skills & Competency Framework - Public Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) Accessed March 18, 2024.

[7] Trust, Purpose, Value and Connected Digital Twins. Available at: Trust, Purpose, Value and Connected Digital Twins - Member Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) Accessed March 18, 2024.

[8] National Digital Twin: Integration Architecture Pattern and Principles. Available at: Integration Architecture Pattern and Principles - Public Resources - DT Hub Community (digitaltwinhub.co.uk) Accessed March 18, 2024.

Further Reading

• The Gemini Principles

• Our Vision for the built environment

• Data for the Public Good

• Flourishing systems

• Skills and Competency framework

• Pathway towards an IMF

• Digital Twins, Ethics and the Gemini Principles

• Digital Twin Navigator

• The Cyber-Physical Infrastructure Vision

• Our Shared Understanding

• Trust, Purpose, Value and Connected Digital Twins

• Gemini Papers: What are connected digital twins?

• Gemini Papers: Why connected digital twins?

• Gemini Papers: How to enable an ecosystem of connected digital twins?