Big Data Conference
Big data, advanced computing, and algorithms are rapidly and profoundly changing every sphere of human activity; Airbnb, Uber, and Fitbit are just a few examples. Today, over 3.6 billion people worldwide are deeply engaged with smartphone devices, wearables, and Internet-of-things (IoT) technologies while artificial intelligence also promises to create a wave of new products. Advanced computing gives us the ability to reliably and cost effectively store petabytes of data; and machine learning algorithms can crunch through massive datasets in real time to extract business intelligence and socially relevant information, giving firms new marketing tools, like mobile geo-social targeting. These tools have also empowered customers, making them more savvy in their interactions with business. The businesses, nonprofits, health care providers, government agencies, entrepreneurs, and educational institutions that harness these trends have an historic opportunity to gain an advantage over their competitors.
VizUM joins Big Data
In 2019, CCS, in collaboration with the School of Communication, added a Visualization component to the Conference by merging VizUM—the University’s annual data visualization celebration—with the Big Data Conference. Data Visualization is a burgeoning field of study at the University of Miami and other top academic research institutions. From devising app-based tools, to organizing vast scientific datum into bite-size morsels, data visualizers often begin their career journey as computer scientists, journalists, academic researchers, coders, or graphic designers. The common thread is that they have all developed a keen interest in recasting complex data in visually appealing ways to broaden the understanding of the world in which we live. Data Visualization guest speakers at Big Data 2019 included Jessica Hullman, PhD, Assistant Professor in Computer Science and Journalism at Northwestern University, and Alberto Cairo, PhD, Knight Chair in Visual Journalism at the University of Miami School of Communication.
The Big Data Conference is an annual free, half-day presentation in the afternoon, which is followed by a networking reception. The next session will be held on Thursday, December 3, 2020 at the Newman Alumni Center. Mark your calendar! CCS, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Miami Business School, and the School of Communication invites you to network with data visualization experts, the south Florida private- and public-sector, healthcare providers, policy makers, entrepreneurs, educators, and researchers, and to hear panel discussions with industry leaders on the latest Big Data trends and tools.
