Without data, you are just another person with an opinion

This article will look at the increasing importance of data in our lives. It includes information on how much data we are now generating, the impact that we could have on our environment, and how nature could hold the solution for the future.

Now our lives are dominated by data. We have seen this highlighted during the pandemic when our government said "We have to be driven by the data”; data on the number of new infections, data on the number of deaths (sadly), and now reassurance by data on the number of vaccinations.

Don’t we all question decisions made if we don’t know that there was copious data to back up those decisions?

 “It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data”

Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia

Long before Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote Sherlock Holmes we’ve been collecting and analysing data. As Holmes alludes, no one wants to make decisions without analysing the data for fear of reaching a wrong or biased decision.

We generate and have access to vast amounts of data which in theory should make the decision-making process easy but it is not always that straightforward. Daniel Keys Moran says data does not necessarily equate to information.

“You can have data without information,

but you cannot have information without data.”

Daniel Keys Moran

I’ve written previously about the volumes of data we are creating. It’s hard to describe just how much volume, partly because it increases so frequently and partly because the volume is so large it becomes hard to imagine.

The World Economic Forum estimated that at the beginning of 2020, the number of bytes in our digital universe was 40 times bigger than the number of stars in the observable universe.

In just one minute in 2020 WhatsApp users shared over 41 million messages, and on Instagram nearly 350 thousand pictures were uploaded and shared.

We create a lot of data!

“It’s so cheap to store all data.

It’s cheaper to keep it than to delete it"

Mikko Hypponen, security and privacy expert.

With so much data it needs to be stored somewhere. We are spoilt for choice with rapidly increasing storage capacities, whether they be local solid-state fast access storage or a remote cloud-based solution.

As quickly as the rate of data creation has advanced the cost for storage of data has decreased. As stated by Mikko Hypponen, storage costs are now at a point where it is cheaper to store all your data than to delete it. Businesses are concerned they could be either deleting a valuable asset or deleting something with a legal requirement to keep. 

However we should never underestimate the environmental impact of storing all this data. Data centres currently consume 3% of all electricity generated on the planet and it is predicted that will increase to 8% by 2025.

Solid-state drives are a more power-efficient option and can help keep electricity usage down. Now with the advent of flash storage solutions space, and drive reductions of 50% can be achieved. for more information

 “Data is the new oil”

Clive Humby

If you agree with Clive Humby who said “Data is the new oil’ you might think it is good that we keep these growing amounts of data. But he went on to say “Like oil, data is valuable, but if unrefined it cannot really be used. It has to be changed into gas, plastic, chemicals, etc. to create a valuable entity that drives profitable activity. So must data be broken down, analysed for it to have value.” 

And there lies the problem. Data itself doesn’t equal value without it first being processed and analysed. So while storage of data is cheap, it could well be a huge cost in the long run if your data isn’t able to be processed to reach the valuable insights and business advantages that lie within.

If your business is in any doubt as to why data that has been processed is an asset, the IBM Data - AI - Analytics Reference Architecture answers any doubts succinctly:

“Data has the power to transform any organization, add monetary value, and enable the workforce to accomplish extraordinary things.

Data-driven cultures can realize higher business returns”

With data quantities growing exponentially with no sign of slowing and storage solution capacities growing, you could be excused for thinking that the future is bright. Bear in mind current storage solutions are based on silicon solutions. Silicon is a finite resource that we will need in ever larger quantities - so it will eventually run out.

“The future belongs to those who prepare for it today"

Malcolm X

The fact that silicon will run out is driving research into new and more sustainable solutions. One of those potential solutions is in DNA, the building blocks of all life. DNA is a very robust and long-lasting storage medium. Remember the body of Richard the Third that was found in a Car Park in Leicester? The 500 years old bones were matched to a descendant using DNA matching, which demonstrates the longevity of DNA.

DNA is not only robust and long-lasting, DNA is also incredibly compact with exceptionally large amounts taking up a tiny amount of space. As an example 1 gram of DNA storage could store the entire back catalogue on Netflix over 5000 times. The current cost of storing data in DNA is still relatively high but the benefits and speed of progress will soon make this a commodity solution.

The environmental benefits of data taking up less space and consuming less power are obvious.

The parting thought comes from W Edwards Deming on how essential data is to our modern society.

"Without data, you are just another person with an opinion." 

W. Edwards Deming

For more information on data storage solutions - please follow the link below

Invest in Data, Save on Storage

?From time to time, IBM partners with industry thought leaders to share their opinions and insights on current technology trends. The opinions in this blog are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM.

?for more information on awaken AI you can find us here www.awakenai.org and find me on twitter @nigewillson