DefinePK

Abstract

The proliferation of Big Data has fundamentally transformed the policymaking process, offering unprecedented opportunities to design, implement, and evaluate development strategies in near real-time. This article examines the transition from raw Big Data analytics to structured “policy intelligence” — the systematic integration of data-driven insights into sustainable development frameworks. The study investigates ethical imperatives, including privacy protection, equity in data access, and transparency in algorithmic decision-making. Through an interdisciplinary lens, the research explores how governments, institutions, and stakeholders can align data governance with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Methodologically, it synthesizes literature from data science, public policy, and development studies, while incorporating case analyses from diverse economies. The findings emphasize that while Big Data enhances predictive capabilities and policy responsiveness, its unregulated application risks amplifying social inequalities, reinforcing biases, and undermining public trust. The paper concludes with a roadmap for ethically grounded data ecosystems that balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring that policy intelligence becomes a tool for inclusive, sustainable futures rather than a driver of techno-centric exclusion.