Pluto: A Public Value Assessment Tool

Laura Koesten; Peter Ferenc Gyarmati; Connor Hogan; Bernhard Jordan; Seliem El-Sayed; Barbara Prainsack; Torsten Moller

doi:10.1109/MCG.2025.3649342

Pluto: A Public Value Assessment Tool

Laura Koesten
, Peter Ferenc Gyarmati
, Connor Hogan
, Bernhard Jordan
, Seliem El-Sayed
, Barbara Prainsack
, Torsten Moller

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Abstract

We present PLUTO (Public VaLUe Assessment TOol), a framework for assessing the public value of specific instances of data use. Grounded in the concept of data solidarity, PLUTO aims to empower diverse stakeholders-including regulatory bodies, private enterprises, NGOs, and individuals-to critically engage with data projects through a structured assessment of the risks and benefits of data use, and by encouraging critical reflection. This paper discusses the theoretical foundation, development process, and initial user experiences with PLUTO. Key challenges include translating qualitative assessments of benefits and risks into actionable quantitative metrics while maintaining inclusivity and transparency. Initial feedback highlights PLUTO's potential to foster responsible decision-making and shared accountability in data practices.

Original language	English
Journal	IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications
Volume	PP
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/MCG.2025.3649342
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 19 Jan 2026

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

506017 Science and technology policy
102037 Visualisation

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10.1109/MCG.2025.3649342

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title = "Pluto: A Public Value Assessment Tool",

abstract = "We present PLUTO (Public VaLUe Assessment TOol), a framework for assessing the public value of specific instances of data use. Grounded in the concept of data solidarity, PLUTO aims to empower diverse stakeholders-including regulatory bodies, private enterprises, NGOs, and individuals-to critically engage with data projects through a structured assessment of the risks and benefits of data use, and by encouraging critical reflection. This paper discusses the theoretical foundation, development process, and initial user experiences with PLUTO. Key challenges include translating qualitative assessments of benefits and risks into actionable quantitative metrics while maintaining inclusivity and transparency. Initial feedback highlights PLUTO's potential to foster responsible decision-making and shared accountability in data practices.",

author = "Laura Koesten and Gyarmati, \{Peter Ferenc\} and Connor Hogan and Bernhard Jordan and Seliem El-Sayed and Barbara Prainsack and Torsten Moller",

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AU - Gyarmati, Peter Ferenc

AU - Hogan, Connor

AU - Jordan, Bernhard

AU - El-Sayed, Seliem

AU - Prainsack, Barbara

AU - Moller, Torsten

PY - 2026/1/19

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AB - We present PLUTO (Public VaLUe Assessment TOol), a framework for assessing the public value of specific instances of data use. Grounded in the concept of data solidarity, PLUTO aims to empower diverse stakeholders-including regulatory bodies, private enterprises, NGOs, and individuals-to critically engage with data projects through a structured assessment of the risks and benefits of data use, and by encouraging critical reflection. This paper discusses the theoretical foundation, development process, and initial user experiences with PLUTO. Key challenges include translating qualitative assessments of benefits and risks into actionable quantitative metrics while maintaining inclusivity and transparency. Initial feedback highlights PLUTO's potential to foster responsible decision-making and shared accountability in data practices.

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SN - 0272-1716

VL - PP

JO - IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications

JF - IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications

ER -

Pluto: A Public Value Assessment Tool

Abstract

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

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