Overview

Today, data available via the Internet, sensor networks, and new and higher resolution sensors across the sciences allow us to capture more data about people and the world than ever before - and the quantities of data available are accelerating. Coupled with recent advances in machine learning and reasoning, as well as rapid rises in computing power and storage, we are transforming our ability to make sense of these increasingly large, heterogeneous, noisy or incomplete datasets collected from a variety of sources; to visualize and infer important new knowledge from the data; and to guide action and policies in mission-critical situations, enabling us to make the best decisions. The pipeline of data --> predictive models --> decision analyses will transform many facets of our daily lives, from healthcare delivery to transportation to energy and the environment. These methods will be critical for Federal agencies tasked with protecting America from threats. And they have the potential to alter how we educate the next generation, how we interact with one another, and how we protect our personal privacy and security in an era of constant connectivity and unfiltered access. Ultimately, data analytics - enabling the transition from data to knowledge to action - is critical to address our nation's priorities and to ensure our nation's prosperity well into the 21st century.