Should We be Afraid of Big Data?
Big Data is around us and watching us; certainly this Big Data can then intrude into our privacy in the information de-anonymization through the intersection of personal data, and Big Data may control our lives and undermine our fundamental freedoms. Should we be afraid of Big Data?
Our world switches to a new reality
We are witnessing the advent of a new era, a “data revolution,” a paradigm shift in which the data becomes valuable strategy and nectar for businesses and the world around us. So, before you take the plunge, it is normal to be afraid. But this era of data is already a reality; the upheavals are already starting to be felt, the walls between some sectors and industries are starting to move or to crack. Insurance and banks should soon see the giants Facebook and Google encroaching on their territory. Whether you like it or not, our world switches to a new reality.
In the twentieth century, the concept of space-time has revolutionized the understanding of our world with space and time as two inseparable notions ceasing to influence each other. Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity has so discredited the Newtonian vision we had of the universe.
The twenty-first century promises to go even further in our understanding of reality. Technological maelstrom of these 30 years has enabled man to redefine the structure of our world by adding a new dimension – the digital world. The twenty-first century can be seen as the era of a new world for the human being, that of space-time-data triptych. The connected objects and geo-location for example, link the data to the space, while the technologies that analyzes real-time and predictive fuse the notions of time and data. A new Albert Einstein perhaps will then develop a new theory, that of relativity…digital.
The Big Data will accelerate research
The health field is particularly impacted by Big Data. The Big Data technologies will greatly accelerate research using new capabilities of computing and storage, and thus make significant advances in the treatment of diseases such as cancer where much still remains to be done.
The analysis of medical data volumes growing large (including the integration of medical imaging) and treatment on the genome will mutate our curative medicine in predictive and preventive medicine. Several projects work included the development of predictive models cancerous lesions detection or warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, to intervene even before the appearance of symptoms.
Do not be afraid of this Big Data there
The Big Data also comes to the aid of the energy challenges of this century. The installation of smart meters and real-time analysis and predictive energy consumption information for household coupled with external data such as the weather will lead to huge energy savings through optimal management electricity generation.
In Western countries, support the increasing number of elderly people appears to be an almost insurmountable challenge. Increasingly “connected” solutions help keep the elderly at home through systems that detect in real-time any need for assistance or abnormal activity. The source of potential savings for social security is huge. Not to mention the prediction, prevention and also the management of natural disasters, environmental hazards, health crises or terrorist attacks.
In short, do not be afraid of the Big Data. Let us rejoice!
