big data
76 articles

Dubai: The City of the Future

At Expo 2020 Dubai, a pipeline for innovation, as well as economic and social development, takes center stage.
Mark Vale | UPS

Imagine a world not restricted by borders. This world is connected virtually through information technology and physically through trade lanes and supply chains. In this world, free trade brings people and organizations closer together and allows them to work together to tackle global challenges. Click to hear about UPS’s exciting new role as the Official […]

3D Printing – Evolution Rather than Revolution – Part Two

Here are four different ways to evaluate the future of 3D printing.
Ralf Steck | Engineering Spot

In the first part of this blog series, I explained three concepts that crystallized what 3D printing can and cannot offer. Ultimately, this also dictates the industries and scenarios where 3D printing and rapid prototyping are used in a complementary role. To distinguish between realistic and over-hyped applications for the years ahead, we want to investigate and evaluate […]

Understanding Analytics in a Connected Universe

Combining three pillars of cybersecurity analytics will help IoT expand opportunities for all industries.
Liz Goldberg | SAS


In January 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned of a cybersecurity flaw that could allow hackers to remotely take control of a person’s heart defibrillator or pacemaker. The point of vulnerability is the transmitter that sends data from the implanted devices back to physicians. A hacker could hijack it to rapidly deplete the […]

With New Technology, Mathematicians Turn Numbers Into Art

Changing the way we view math could unleash broader knowledge.
Frank A. Farris | Santa Clara University

Once upon a time, mathematicians imagined their job was to discover new mathematics and then let others explain it. Today, digital tools like 3D printing, animation and virtual reality are more affordable than ever, allowing mathematicians to investigate and illustrate their work at the same time. Instead of drawing a complicated surface on a chalkboard, […]

What Will Healthcare Look Like in 2030?

Our healthcare systems aren't sustainable. What is the next evolution of patient treatment?
Andre Goy | Hackensack University Medical Center

With so many novel therapies in development, there has never been a more exciting time to practice medicine, says Dr. Andre Goy, Chairman and Director of the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. However, rising costs, an aging population and an increase in non-communicable diseases showcase why global healthcare needs to be “fundamentally reinvented,” […]

Reimagining Financial Services with Blockchain

Organizations can unlock substantial economic value using blockchain technology.

Across every industry today, organizations are looking to streamline and automate processes to reduce costs, gain efficiencies, radically improve speed to market and achieve better business outcomes. The financial services industry in many ways is at the forefront of such initiatives – with particular focus on today’s disjointed and redundant processing and reconciliation challenges – […]

Cities of 2050: Data and Technology Will Fuel Megacities of the Future

Here's a collaborative blueprint for the urban areas of tomorrow.
Terry D. Bennett | Autodesk

What will cities look like by the year 2050? Will they be like those in South Korea centered on a digitally connected retrofit of existing society? Will they parallel the shiny new cities of Dubai or Singapore? Or could they possibly move underground or under the oceans? Today, innovative cities such as Curitiba, Brazil, are […]

3 Affordable Ways to Improve Your Customer Service

With the right formula, you can create and maintain cost-effective customer satisfaction.

From predictive analytics to intelligent chatbots, innovation is paving new ground in customer service. But you don’t necessarily need a flashy (or costly) upgrade to make customers happy. Along with a committed staff, a productive retail environment and a strong handle on what your customers want, here are a few low-cost ways you can take your […]

Why Blockchain Matters

Blockchain has the potential to disrupt more facets of your life than perhaps any other technology. Here’s what you need to know.

In 2016, more than $1.4 billion was invested globally in blockchain startups. IBM invested $200 million and 1,000 employees in the technology. Walmart, IBM and Tsinghua University in Beijing are running a pilot project for tracking and tracing pork in China and produce in the U.S. Among companies in consumer goods and manufacturing, 42 percent […]

3D Printing Gets Fashionable

How Danit Peleg revolutionized the fashion industry with 3D-printing technology.
Danit Peleg | Fashion Designer

This Q&A is derived from Part 2 of a five-part white paper series called Routes to the Future, in which we explore the innovations, challenges and opportunities in a new era of possibilities. Today’s shopper expects seamlessness and efficiency — and new technologies are helping retailers deliver on these expectations in new ways. From virtual fitting […]

Becoming Cognitive

Understanding cognitive computing versus artificial intelligence, deep learning and machine learning.
Alison Bolen | SAS

Hui Li | SAS


Cognitive computing brings with it a promise of genuine, human-to-machine interaction. When machines become cognitive, they can understand requests, connect data points and draw conclusions. They can reason, observe and plan. Consider: Leaving for a business trip tomorrow? Your cognitive device will automatically offer weather reports and travel alerts for your destination city. Planning a […]

Mission: Not Impossible

Not Impossible Labs combines the power of storytelling and modern-day technology to make a difference in the world.
Mick Ebeling | Not Impossible Labs

This is Part 2 of a five-part white paper series called Routes to the Future, in which we explore the innovations, challenges and opportunities in a new era of possibilities. A decade ago, 3D-printed hearts, smart homes and self-driving cars belonged in the world of science fiction. Today innovators are blurring the line between fantasy and […]

Seeing Logistics in 3D

From hearing aids to jet engines, 3D printing is revolutionizing the world of manufacturing.
Alan Amling | UPS

Of all the ways 3D printing will change the world, the democratization of manufacturing is perhaps the most important. Think of it as the Uberization of manufacturing, where supply can be accessed anywhere in the world to produce goods at the click of button. This is a once-in-a-generation logistics opportunity, as so-called additive manufacturing will […]

Making the World of the Future

Additive manufacturing, hyper-customization and 4D printing are putting the future at your fingertips.
Juan Perez | UPS

This is Part 2 of a five-part white paper series called Routes to the Future, in which we explore the innovations, challenges and opportunities in a new era of possibilities. The way we make the world around us – how we design, produce, deliver and reclaim the objects of everyday life – will follow new […]

How Blockchain Can Restore Trust In Trade

During a time when transparency matters more than ever, enter blockchain.
Jesse Mcwaters | World Economic Forum

Wolfgang Lehmacher | World Economic Forum

International trade is under pressure. Fears fueled by the global refugee situation and terrorist threats have led to tighter border controls – and these come at a cost. Every inspection of goods, every stop along the supply chain, eats up time and drives up prices. It harms businesses and consumers alike. Those involved in international […]

Investing in Innovative Technology Can Drive Sustainable Growth

The private sector now has a greater responsibility and opportunity to advance social and environmental agendas.
Peter Harris | UPS

The last few years have been transformational for climate diplomacy. In 2015, we witnessed the first legally binding global climate deal with the Paris Agreement, and last year’s COP22 conference saw governments and businesses reaffirm their commitments to sustainable growth. These events, coupled with a groundswell of public pressure, leave no doubt that working toward […]

Connected Consumers, IoT and What Retailers Need to Do Now

Check out this Q&A on how IoT will shape the future for retailers.

Doing your laundry and notice you’re low on detergent? That used to mean a trip to the grocery store. Now you have options: You can order it online. You can press your Tide Amazon Dash button to have it ordered automatically, or you can ask Alexa to order it for you. But in the future, […]

Disruption at the Edge: IoT Transforming Energy Grids

Utilizing the power of the Internet of Things would enhance sustainable practices.
Thierry Godart | Intel Corporation

Digital disruption is here to stay. Much like the electronic revolution that led to PCs, mobile phones and smart devices, energy grids are on the verge of a major change. Consider the network of power plants, utilities and power lines comprising energy grids, for a moment. What you effectively have is the largest machine in […]

How to Unleash Your Creativity

The world of Formula 1 is a laboratory for exploring human creativity through drivers and their teams.
James Hewitt | Hintsa Performance

The Formula 1 season will begin later this month, pitting the most talented drivers in the most finely honed machines against one another. The image of a car designer sitting at a computer, working on a complex 3D visualization, is consistent with our perception of a creative person, but you may not immediately think about […]

Automating Supply Chain Resilience

To benefit from advanced risk identification tools and keep pace with customer expectations, companies need a new approach to supply chain resilience.
Dr. Luca Urciuoli | Zaragoza Logistics Center

Substantial investments in supply chain resilience have enabled companies to vastly improve their capacity for bouncing back after a disruption. But the digitization of supply chains is introducing new demands on company operations that require a different approach to building supply chain resilience. With the benefit of digital technologies, companies are using big data to […]

Podcast: Building the Blockchain Ecosystem

Blockchain could be bigger than the internet and revolutionize our financial system, Barry Silbert argues.
Brian Hughes | UPS Longitudes

Click to play podcast. Barry Silbert has a simple goal: to build a better financial system. He says he’s found a way to do just that. Silbert, the founder of Digital Currency Group, a strategic investment company that helps entrepreneurs, financial institutions and technology investors, believes that blockchain will help build that better system. Blockchain is […]

How Man’s Best Friend Is Helping Cancer Treatment

Our four-legged friends could play a major role in the war on cancer.
Nicole Ehrhart | Colorado State University

“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.” ― John Grogan, “Marley and Me: […]

3 Megatrends Shaping American Entrepreneurship

A new report suggests entrepreneurship is on the rebound, but growth has been unequal.
Michael Hendrix | U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation

The state of American entrepreneurship is improving, but worries remain over increasingly divided fortunes, according to a new study from the Kauffman Foundation. For the first time since the Great Recession, entrepreneurs can breathe a sigh of relief. Kauffman’s report shows that more people are starting businesses, those businesses have a higher chance of survival and entrepreneurs […]

Winning With Shoppers in China

Earning trust in the Chinese e-commerce market could help businesses climb the ladder to success.

With a population of roughly 1.3 billion people, China offers unprecedented growth opportunities for retailers looking to conduct business internationally. China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported last month that online retail sales in China grew 26 percent in 2016 to $752 billion. That’s more than 40 percent of all online sales around the world. The […]

Move Over Millennials: Generation Z is Retail’s Next Big Buying Group

Generation Z will be the key to the next e-commerce boom.
Matthew Shay | National Retail Federation

Millennials are currently retailers’ largest demographic, with a massive consumer base dwarfing the size of their once-dominant Generation X predecessors. And they love to shop online — during the 2016 holiday season, more than one-third of online shoppers were Millennials. But just as Millennials overtook Gen X, there’s another big buying group retailers and consumer […]

The Future of Delivery

UPS’s latest drone test shows that the gap between vision and reality is closing.
Mark Wallace | UPS

Drone delivery is one of the hottest topics – if not the most heavily discussed – in transportation and logistics circles these days. People ask me all the time how drones might change the delivery landscape and what we’re doing to leverage another disruptive technology. There’s plenty of speculation out there about a future where […]

3 Small Business Tax Filing Tips for 2017

Here’s why tax season doesn’t have to be a headache for smaller companies.
Ramon Ray | Smart Hustle Magazine

Once again we find ourselves in the middle of tax season, not exactly the most exciting time of year for a small business owner, but a financial responsibility nonetheless. With modified due dates and an administration change, 2017 is turning out to be a confusing year for small business tax filers. Here are a few […]

With 5G Technology, the Internet of (20.8 Billion) Things Will Be Realized

Today’s 4G cellular networks aren’t robust enough to handle tomorrow’s products and services.
Matt Alderton | Redshift

Consider this: A driverless car that transports you safely to work while you apply makeup in the backseat or a refrigerator that knows you’re out of milk and instantly orders a fresh gallon. Sounds good, right? How about a light bulb that automatically adjusts its brightness throughout the day, a t-shirt that calls 911 if […]

What It Will Take for Us to Trust AI

Our willingness to accept the unknown could benefit our future.
Guru Banavar | IBM

The early days of artificial intelligence (AI) have been met with some very public hand wringing. Well-respected technologists and business leaders have voiced their concerns over the (responsible) development of AI. And Hollywood’s appetite for dystopian AI narratives appears to be bottomless. This is not unusual, nor is it unreasonable. Change, technological or otherwise, always excites […]

It’s Pedal to the Metal for Driverless Cars

Why drive yourself when a self-driving car could be a safer alternative?
William Messner | Tufts University

When a May 2016 crash killed the person operating a Tesla Model S driving in Autopilot mode, advocates of autonomous vehicles feared a slowdown in development of self-driving cars. Instead the opposite has occurred. In August, Ford publicly committed to field self-driving cars by 2021. In September, Uber began picking up passengers with self-driving cars […]