A look at top data science developments worth watching in 2021

Data is a crucial asset for modern businesses. In today's digital age, any data-related term such as data collection, data mining, data privacy, data security, etc., have become buzzwords in technology. Every company strives to move fast and innovate, thereby attempting to make the most of their data. Data science is a booming field making data valuable. Each year has a different story for data science developments that are happening at an unprecedented pace. In this article, we will explore the top data science developments to be worth watching in 2021 and beyond.

Data Science, in general, refers to an interdisciplinary field that blends various tools, algorithms, machine learning principles, scientific methods, processes and systems to uncover concealed patterns from the raw, unstructured data.

Let's have a look at the top data science developments in 2021.

Introduction of AI into Data Science

Artificial intelligence is undoubtedly transforming every aspect of work and life. Businesses, small and large, leverage this technology to advance their overall business processes. Both AI and data science have a variety of applications, systems, and more aimed at imitating human intelligence through machines. In 2015, AI, along with deep learning and machine learning made its presence in the world of data science. In the year, Bloomberg's Jack Clarke wrote that it had been a landmark year for AI within Google. The search engine giant has scaled up software projects using artificial intelligence increased from "sporadic usage" to more than 2,700 projects over the year.

Artificial intelligence these days is being used in diverse business areas and supporting every industry including healthcare, retail, HR, accounting, education, and more.

Big Data

Big data and analytics have always been vital for businesses to get the most of their data and gain a competitive edge. Using different analytical tools, businesses now are able to store and analyze data for various purposes. They can drive big data-driven decisions and impact their bottom lines. Analysis of big data has further given the rise to predictive analysis that plays an indispensable role as it can predict market trends and tell businesses what may happen in the future.

Migration to Cloud

Cloud computing has witnessed an incredible enterprise adoption as it transforms an organization's approach to information technology. Companies are increasingly moving their business-critical assets to the cloud for smoother business operations. The growth of cloud-enabled technologies also has a huge impact on the rise and adoption of other innovative technologies such as IoT. IDC predicts the global spending on IoT would top US$1 trillion in 2022, at the CAGR of 13.6% during 2017-2022.

Rise of Regulations

Every year we see the rise of new regulations in the field of data mining, processing, and handling, underpinning the importance of data governance. With data mining being so prevalent, the need for robust regulations to secure the data became urgent. The UK's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) are among the most popular laws for data protection. These regulations have a considerable impact on data processing and handling, consumer profiling, and data security. Such regulations make it mandatory for businesses to comply with laws for data-related activities.

Over the years, the field of data science has seen massive advancements and growth worldwide. Today, data science is being used by engineers, geneticists, doctors, astronomers, governments, and more. Recent data science developments are not only influencing economics, governments, and corporates but also making it a sought-after field in terms of jobs.