Indus News again

Another Indus News interview, this time on Big Data issues.
The topic:
Big data and its future: With governments all over the world focusing on the collection of data for a plethora of reasons, we discuss in the show how important big data is in fact in the modern world. Why is there so much emphasis on its collection? How is this data utilized and for what purposes is it used. How is the collection of big data shaping the future of politics and international relations?

My suggested talking points:
– Big Data has become very important in many industries and will grow, it is unstoppable even more with the Internet of Things (everything is connected).
– Regulations need to be in place to address privacy concerns and to protect the vulnerable such as children and others, such as the elderly.
– Companies must clarify what data they gather and how they process and store them.
– Some even think companies should in a way pay for the data, now they harvest free of charge.
– A big concern is the misuse by authoritarian governments, they could use the data for political purposes against dissidents and others, especially if the data collected can be traced to individuals. An example is the Chinese Social Credit System that can trace anything about an individual: website visits, online purchases, online comments, anything.

Oops Internet gone

In the middle of the interview Skype stopped. First I thought there was problem on my side but soon it was clear Indus “was gone”. Soon I got a message through WhatsApp that the studio in Lahore had its Internet cut off… Anyway they still managed to send out the interview, with pieces missing from my side (YouTube):

 

Some more comments on Big Data issues

Big Data is yes, a big issue…

It is being used in so many industries and business: medical, warehousing, inventories, fraud detection, name it. With the increasing computing power and Artificial Intelligence, the sky is the limit…

One major application is to detect trends, in whatever field: in fashion, consumer attitudes, entertainment, politics, opinion on international trade issues, tourism, …. you can basically think about anything.
An example could be: What are the views on the U.S. – China Trade issues? Sources can be the media, in any form, also like Facebook, Twitter, ….