In late 2023, the Department of Commerce's Commerce Data Governance Board initiated the AI and Open Government Data Working Group. This group is chaired by Dr. Sallie Ann Keller, Chief Scientist of the U.S. Census Bureau. The group's purpose was to evaluate how the Department could improve its open data assets for users who use generative AI applications.

Throughout 2024, the working group released the AI and Open Government Data Assets Request for Information (RFI). They collaborated with experts from various sectors, including government, private industry, think tanks, and academia. These collaborations led to the publication of "Generative Artificial Intelligence and Open Data: Guidelines and Best Practices."

The guidance offers practical guidelines for publishing open data optimized for generative AI systems. Although it is intended for use by the Department of Commerce and its bureaus, it has been made publicly available to assist open data publishers worldwide. The first version was published on January 16, 2025, and is considered a dynamic resource that will be updated with new insights and feedback.