Federated

The term 'federated' refers to a system or structure that is organized in a way that combines multiple, independent entities, often within the context of governance, data management, or organizational frameworks. In a federated structure, these entities retain certain degrees of autonomy while collaborating towards common goals or sharing resources. This term is commonly used in political, technological, and social contexts.

Federated meaning with examples

• In a federated governmental system, individual states maintain their own laws and regulations while sharing sovereignty with a central authority. This allows for diverse policies that cater to regional needs, promoting a balance between national unity and local autonomy.
• Companies often adopt a federated model for their IT infrastructure, enabling departments to retain control over their own data while contributing to a centralized data pool. This allows for greater data integrity and security while still supporting departmental autonomy and innovation.
• Educational institutions can benefit from a federated approach in research collaboration, where universities work independently on specific projects but share findings and resources with one another. This enhances knowledge sharing and encourages academic partnerships across various fields.
• The concept of federated learning in artificial intelligence allows for models to be trained across multiple decentralized devices while keeping data localized. This ensures privacy and security, allowing organizations to benefit from collective intelligence without compromising sensitive information.
• In a federated social network, users are part of independently governed communities that can interact and share data while adhering to their own rules. Such a model promotes both personal freedom and connectivity while maintaining distinct community identities.