Читать книгу Data protection for the prevention of algorithmic discrimination - Alba Soriano Arnanz - Страница 10

The three Vs make big data highly complex, which leads us to the next part of the explanation: the need to process it. The word ‘raw’ was used in the previous section to describe big data, which means it must undergo some transformation process to provide useful outputs in the shape of information. One of the key elements of big data is not only that the data must be processed but that, in order to retrieve the relevant information from it, it requires a specific and specially advanced set of methods and technology.25 Big data has, in fact, been defined by some as data that cannot be processed using traditional methods and tools.26 Given its characteristics, special computing power is needed in order to store and process it.

However, placing too much focus on the fact that big data needs special and non-traditional methods and technology would further increase the relativity of the concept for what is now considered non-traditional technology will have probably become normal in just a few years.27 The important aspect to keep in mind is that big data needs to be processed (by powerful technologies) in order to provide relevant information. This is why the raw quality of the initial datasets that are then processed must be highlighted. Even if a set of facts can be extracted from structured datasets, they do not offer knowledge. Knowledge must therefore be obtained by analysing the data with the necessary tools.28