Datafication and Machine Learning

In his big data talk, Kenneth Cukier discusses the innovative nature of big data and its applications in machine learning and human knowledge. The Data Editor at the Economist posits big data is not just about more data (which in and of itself is a positive), but also allows us to see what is new, better and different.

While there is a lot of hype surrounding the term 'big data,' the speaker believes it is an important tool for society's advancement and should not be underestimated. The science speech mentions how a large body of data lets you do fundamentally more than with small amounts of data, especially when it comes to addressing global challenges of food security, access to health care, electricity and global warming. The big data talk also covers how information was gathered in the past compared to now, noting its evolution from stationary to fluid and its liquidity today. As such, the value of datafied knowledge is you have more information and can therefore do more with it that was previously impossible.