📋Document Datasets with Datasheets
Datasets get retrained; the quirks get rediscovered. Walk the Gebru et al. datasheet section by section against a real dataset, compare it to model cards and Google's data cards, then audit one of your team's datasets and flag the gaps.
Phase 1Why datasets need their own docs — distinct from the model
Why datasets need their own docs — distinct from the model
Datasets ship without docs — and the next team rediscovers every quirk
6 minDatasets ship without docs — and the next team rediscovers every quirk
Motivation is the first section — and most teams skip it
6 minMotivation is the first section — and most teams skip it
Composition is the section where 'what's actually in here?' lives
7 minComposition is the section where 'what's actually in here?' lives
Collection process is where the ethics live
7 minCollection process is where the ethics live
Phase 2Fill out a datasheet section by section
Fill out a datasheet section by section
Pick a real dataset and pre-load the seven sections
6 minPick a real dataset and pre-load the seven sections
Pre-processing is where the silent decisions live
7 minPre-processing is where the silent decisions live
'Recommended uses' is half the section — 'not recommended uses' is the other half
7 min'Recommended uses' is half the section — 'not recommended uses' is the other half
Distribution and maintenance are the sections that decide if anyone trusts your dataset in 18 months
7 minDistribution and maintenance are the sections that decide if anyone trusts your dataset in 18 months
Read your draft cold and find what's still hand-waving
8 minRead your draft cold and find what's still hand-waving
Phase 3Datasheets vs model cards vs data cards
Datasheets vs model cards vs data cards
Your ML lead asks 'do we need a datasheet AND a model card?'
7 minYour ML lead asks 'do we need a datasheet AND a model card?'
A vendor sends you a Google data card — is it a datasheet?
7 minA vendor sends you a Google data card — is it a datasheet?
Compliance asks: 'will any of these formats satisfy the EU AI Act?'
8 minCompliance asks: 'will any of these formats satisfy the EU AI Act?'
Pick one format and defend it to the team
8 minPick one format and defend it to the team
Phase 4Audit a real dataset and flag the gaps
Audit a real dataset and flag the gaps
Audit one of your team's datasets and produce a gap list
10 minAudit one of your team's datasets and produce a gap list
Frequently asked questions
- What is a datasheet for datasets and why was it proposed?
- This is covered in the “Document Datasets with Datasheets” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How is a datasheet different from a model card?
- This is covered in the “Document Datasets with Datasheets” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What sections does the Gebru et al. datasheet include?
- This is covered in the “Document Datasets with Datasheets” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- How do Google's data cards compare to datasheets?
- This is covered in the “Document Datasets with Datasheets” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
- What does a practical dataset audit look like in 30 minutes?
- This is covered in the “Document Datasets with Datasheets” learning path. Start with daily 5-minute micro-lessons that build from fundamentals to hands-on application.
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