Data is a controversial topic in the twenty-first century. Policy-making regarding data collection and use lags behind, while its value continues to rise—turning any initiative in the sector into big business.
Yet data itself is multifaceted, representing far more than just a set of user preferences for corporations to maximize profits. It has the power to predict, model, and prevent scenarios that would otherwise be beyond human computational capacity.
Two unstoppable trends challenge us in the twenty-first century. One is the mass migration from rural to urban areas, with 70% of the world's population projected to live in cities by 2050. The other is the undeniable and growing impact of climate change. Having already passed the point of no return, we face the challenge of addressing not only the root causes of the problem but also its devastating (and often unpredictable) consequences. This is precisely where big data can become a powerful ally, if deployed correctly.
