Cookies help us display personalized product recommendations and ensure you have great shopping experience.

By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
SmartData CollectiveSmartData Collective
  • Analytics
    AnalyticsShow More
    sales and data analytics
    How Data Analytics Improves Lead Management and Sales Results
    9 Min Read
    data analytics and truck accident claims
    How Data Analytics Reduces Truck Accidents and Speeds Up Claims
    7 Min Read
    predictive analytics for interior designers
    Interior Designers Boost Profits with Predictive Analytics
    8 Min Read
    image fx (67)
    Improving LinkedIn Ad Strategies with Data Analytics
    9 Min Read
    big data and remote work
    Data Helps Speech-Language Pathologists Deliver Better Results
    6 Min Read
  • Big Data
  • BI
  • Exclusive
  • IT
  • Marketing
  • Software
Search
© 2008-25 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: The Promise and Challenge of Using Big Data to Address World Problems
Share
Notification
Font ResizerAa
SmartData CollectiveSmartData Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • About
  • Help
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-23 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
SmartData Collective > Data Management > Best Practices > The Promise and Challenge of Using Big Data to Address World Problems
AnalyticsBest PracticesData Mining

The Promise and Challenge of Using Big Data to Address World Problems

Brett Stupakevich
Brett Stupakevich
4 Min Read
SHARE

engineering social systems in nairobi 300x175 photo (big data)

Author: Linda Rosencrance
Spotfire Blogging Team

engineering social systems in nairobi 300x175 photo (big data)

More Read

Could Beethoven Implement Analytics-based Performance Management?
Big Data Will Revolutionize Learning
Why Rehab Centers Need Data Analytics for SEO
“Smarter healthcare is intelligent, applying advanced analytics to improve research, diagnosis and…”
Email Marketers Use Data Analytics for Optimal Customer Segmentation

Author: Linda Rosencrance
Spotfire Blogging Team

Last month, we wrote that as data and analytic tools become more prevalent in society, the consumerization of data has opened up a whirlwind of opportunities for quality of life improvements around the world. In this same spirit, we’re blogging about additional options for people across the globe to use data and tools to learn about and contribute to a variety of quality of life improvements.

“Done well, big data has the potential to advance important social goals in areas such as disease surveillance, student curricula, and microcredit. Understanding big data’s potential for social impact and the barriers to capturing it are the first steps toward its effective use.”

That’s the last paragraph and the crux of this article about harnessing big data to address the world’s problems. 

For instance, Engineering Social Systems’ project in Nairobi has modeled the growth of slums and informal settlements using geo-coded mobile-phone transaction data. The article points out that the city government could use this type of data to better allocate municipal resources as well as the limited funding set aside for infrastructure.

As the examples in the article suggest, the social organizations that integrate big data collected by private industry, government and others into their strategies can make significant differences in the lives of people worldwide.

However, to do that, these organizations have to overcome a few barriers including getting access to the data as well as identifying or developing the right datasets, not to mention finding people with the critical analytical skills needed to analyze the data—people who are in short supply at the moment.

A lot of this important data is held by governments that might not even fully use it themselves or by private companies that don’t want to release it for proprietary reasons. The “open data” movement at organizations like the World Bank is a good start, but more needs to be done to give these organizations access to this information.

Then there’s the problem of data compatibility and quality. It’s not easy to integrate data stored on legacy systems and other disparate systems. Not only that, but the quality of much of the data just isn’t very good. Those issues aside, a number of the interested social organizations don’t even have the hardware and software to “integrate, analyze and visualize big data.” Cloud computing, though, could tackle some of these problems.

And, as we’ve mentioned in the past, there’s a major shortage of analytical talent—a shortage that presents these social organizations with an additional hurdle. According to the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI), this is already an issue in the private sector. MGI predicts that in the US alone there will be an annual shortage of graduates in deep analytical fields of 140,000 to 190,000 by 2018.

And that’s not good news for organizations looking to make the world a better place, according to the article. Despite the efforts of organizations such as Data Without Borders, which matches non-profits in need of data analysis with freelance and pro bono data scientists, dealing with the shortage of data analysts may be even more challenging in the social sector.

In our next post, we’ll continue to discuss how data advancements can improve the quality of our lives. Subscribe to our blog to be alerted.

 

TAGGED:big data
Share This Article
Facebook Pinterest LinkedIn
Share

Follow us on Facebook

Latest News

sales and data analytics
How Data Analytics Improves Lead Management and Sales Results
Analytics Big Data Exclusive
ai in marketing
How AI and Smart Platforms Improve Email Marketing
Artificial Intelligence Exclusive Marketing
AI Document Verification for Legal Firms: Importance & Top Tools
AI Document Verification for Legal Firms: Importance & Top Tools
Artificial Intelligence Exclusive
AI supply chain
AI Tools Are Strengthening Global Supply Chains
Artificial Intelligence Exclusive

Stay Connected

1.2kFollowersLike
33.7kFollowersFollow
222FollowersPin

You Might also Like

manufacturing workforce
Big DataData ManagementWorkforce Analytics

How Did Big Data Create a Modern Day Manufacturing Workforce?

4 Min Read
data analytics tools
AnalyticsBig DataExclusive

Budget-Friendly Data Analysis Tools for Small and Scaling Businesses

6 Min Read

Protecting Your Data From Attackers Using Top Spy Gear Technology

7 Min Read
Big Data
Big DataITSecurity

Big Data: A Hidden Blessing or Increased Vulnerability for the Security of IT Systems?

4 Min Read

SmartData Collective is one of the largest & trusted community covering technical content about Big Data, BI, Cloud, Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, IoT & more.

ai in ecommerce
Artificial Intelligence for eCommerce: A Closer Look
Artificial Intelligence
ai chatbot
The Art of Conversation: Enhancing Chatbots with Advanced AI Prompts
Chatbots

Quick Link

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Follow US
© 2008-25 SmartData Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Go to mobile version
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?