Kenneth Cukier: Big data is better data

Self-driving cars were just the start. What's the future of big data-driven technology and design? In a thrilling science talk, Kenneth Cukier looks at what's next for machine learning — and human knowledge.

TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and much more.

[LoquaciousApe]

Very important and timely talk. As a hobbyist machine learning programmer I very much believe, like Cukier, that harnessing the information contained in the massive amounts of data we collect, be it the stroke patterns of our keyboards or what have you, will be key to shaping the future of humanity.

[alliekinghorn]

Big Data is more of a culture shift than a concept. Conceptually, it's simple, but in practice, it could open more doors than we can imagine. Great talk, Kenneth Cukier!

[srimansrini]

In this engaging talk, Kenneth Cukier asserts the importance of big data and how it going to create a profound impact on our lives in future. Highly informative, riveting and recommended to all.

[anilkurmi]

Fascinating and very informative talk. Machine learning is heart of big data and it is much advanced and broad topic alone.
We are still too from using this data for humanity and to improve our experiencce and life.

[ytogcwi]

I thought big data was just about analyzing and collecting data, but from this lecture I learned that big data can be used not only for import, export analysis, but also for health care, criminology, transportation, and so on.

[venkateshdas]

It really is a big talk really important for this age of technology. As he says we must take time on analysing and using this in our day to day life .

Thanks to TED for sharing one of the most important talks .

Never ignore this talk coz wat he is talking about might ignore us tommorow.

[jymcfpn]

Fascinating and very informative talk. Machine learning is heart of big data and it is much advanced and broad topic alone.

[quattordicimontenapoleone]

He's not even touching on how limiting many of these big data strategies are in terms of creating feedback loops, maintaining a status quo rather than predicting massive changes. It's not going to solve all problems, some, but far from all. The industrial revolution was amazing if you were a horse. Today, we drive them around, pamper them...

[boganxxx]

Google should put one of their driverless cars on the road in Manila, see how that goes.

[TheLivirus]

I'm all for big data and its capabilities as long as it isn't tracable back to the individual.
This is a line companies and governments must learn to respect.

EDIT: 12:00 He even brought it up himself. How convenient! :)

[ridamahmood]

What a thought provoking insightful talk!

[projectjt]

11:15 about those three traits. Wouldn't scientists want to keep those traits on record in case those traits are correlated with cancer?
In general, it seems machine learning, or more specifically unsupervised learning, can "outwit" human thinking partly because they take these "unknown" factors into account.

[iceboxsocold]

I keep thinking he's angry at me just by the way he talks lmfao

[robthehitmanrude]

If a job can be done by a new technology for cheaper then that job WILL be replaced by that technology.
Ideas like 'we need to be careful' 'make moral choices' aren't going to count.

[Thekingofwatching]

I enjoyed hearing someone agree with the ideas of what advancing technology does to impede human labors.

[MsMelikeozen]

my man you have nasal congestion get that checked out

[hyenaskate]

Shared at the speed of light? A few GB still takes my computer hours to download!

[poonam]

wow amazing great great great no words to describe such a topic to me.

[toa]

Haven't we watched this same TED talk several decreasingly interesting times?

[minimaxhall]

"Value of information?" Information is only valuable for the ones who "know how to use it".
Example: If you have 10 000 people who has access to confidential, secret, hidden or even public data, it is only usable/powerful to the ones who know or/and can use it...
The average citizen in contrast to any "DATA MINING" service or company doesn't even have the chance to lay hands on behavioral, physical, cultural, personal ect ect data IN REAL TIME. Data accumulated through digital means such as phones, computers, sensors, cameras, and what not in supermarkets ect ect ect.... This paves the way for all sorts of competition, exploitation, in regards of economical advancements, weakness and strength analysis ect ect.... I mean.. If I had access to legal data mining from everything to computer clicks to smart phone usage. I would be ahead of "KNOWING" what the user might want, like, don't want don't like ect....
Am I saying this is bad? no... Am I saying this is good? no.... Am I trying to invoke some sort of thought or feeling? yes :)