Subcommittees Discuss Opportunities and Challenges of Big Data
(Washington, DC) – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Research and Technology held a joint hearing entitled, “Next Generation Computing and Big Data Analytics.” Testifying before the Subcommittees were Dr. David McQueeney, Vice President of Technical Strategy and Worldwide Operations at IBM Research; Dr. Michael Rappa, Executive Director of the Institute for Advanced Analytics and Distinguished University Professor at North Carolina State University; and Dr. Farnam Jahanian, Assistant Director for the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF).
“Big data” is a relatively new term that describes massive data sets (billions and trillions of pieces of data) being produced and stored. Digital data is pervasive in every sector in the global economy—from government to health care to retail businesses to multiple research fields. Data has the potential to enable new scientific discoveries, support and strengthen decision-making, reduce inefficiencies, create transparency, reduce security threats, create new business models and services, and reduce fraud and abuse. However, due to the size and complexity of the data, manipulation and management of the data involves addressing many scientific and technological challenges.
Ranking Member of the Research Subcommittee, Dan Lipinski (D-IL), said in his opening statement, “As a member of the Research Subcommittee for several years now, I have watched as the amount and complexity of data has grown by leaps and bounds. The field of astronomy is a great example, When the Sloan Digital Sky Survey started work in 2000, its telescope in New Mexico collected more data in a few weeks than had been collected in the history of astronomy...The types of data are changing as well. Data has gone from being mostly numbers entered in Excel spreadsheets to data coming from sensors, cellphone cameras, and millions of email messages.”
In her opening statement, Ranking Member of the Technology Subcommittee, Frederica Wilson (D-FL), emphasized the importance of big data. She said, “In thinking about this hearing on big data, I couldn’t help but think about the tragic events last week in Boston. The marathon bombings may be one of the most photographed attacks in history…Now, all of this digital information has been and is being used by the Boston Police Department and the FBI in their investigation. It appears that this data has been instrumental in helping to identify the individuals who were involved. Examples like this one demonstrate how important it is that we develop and attain the tools and the skilled people needed to analyze tremendous amounts of complex data. Big data can not only lead to amazing scientific discoveries—it can also save lives.”
Democratic Members discussed some of the challenges associated with big data such as privacy concerns; the need for new tools and software; and the need for an analytical workforce. They also emphasized the role of the federal government and the need for federal investments in this area.
Mr. Lipinski said, “The change in volume and variety of data as well as how fast data is being produced and changed creates almost limitless opportunities…But along with opportunities, there are a number of challenges…These challenges necessitate involvement from government, academia, and the private sector. The government has and will continue to play an instrumental role in this area. For instance, the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development, or NITRD, program created an interagency big data group that is coordinating federal efforts in technologies, research, competitions, and workforce development for big data.”
Ms. Wilson echoed Mr. Lipinski saying, “Big data has potential to improve nearly all sectors of society…but there are also challenges. In order to reap all the benefits of complex and broadly available data, we need new technologies and software. We also need a workforce with the skills necessary to analyze data of great volume and complexity. A recent study estimates that the United States is in need of 190,000 additional data scientists.”
Witnesses all spoke of the need for the federal government to continue investing in all aspects of big data. Dr. Jahanian said, “With robust sustained support for fundamental research, education, and infrastructure in the area of Big Data in both the executive and legislative branches of our government, there is a unique and enormous opportunity to position the Nation at the forefront of advances in science and engineering, job creation, and economic development for decades to come.”
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