The amazing come back of business intelligence

The new digital technologies are missing the mark. They miss 99% of real-world needs. As data scientists, we know this.

A little history

First of all, a bit of history.
A lot has happened in 10 years.
Let's recap.

BigData

It could have been called play it like Google and Facebook.
A realisation that economic and industrial activity generates data.
A lot of data.
It changes everything.

NoSQL

We need to change the legacy.
The attack goes straight to the jugular.
The very architecture of databases is being called into question.
Database administrators loved it.
They're still laughing about it.

Dataviz

BI has to change.
BI is for business intelligence.
We will talk about that later.
Statistics start to come into the conversation.
That is good.

Machine learning

Machine learning, pushed by the BigTechs.
The recommendation algorithms of Netflix and Amazon, for example.
Or Tesla's ever-elusive autonomous car.
These are complicated topics.
It involves a lot of math.

Deep learning

A huge breakthrough.
Deep neural networks for businesses!
This is an ultra-confidential field of AI with a tumultuous history.
It has been totally swallowed up by Google, Meta and Amazon.
Public research labs are crying tears of blood.

Artificial intelligence

Are deep neural networks the right technology for all forms of weak artificial intelligence?
And soon general?
Is the revolution coming tomorrow?
No.
But we'd like you to think so.

Blockchain & quantum

Are we seriously talking about it?
No.
They're not topics yet for ordinary people.
Please not that I am trained as physicist. Quantum technology is really complicated stuff - and quite tremendous.

ChatGPT

The big language models are breaking out!
Or LLM for those who know.
The neural network soufflé is blowing again.
Just as it was beginning to subside ... and we were beginning to blow.
These technologies are interesting in some cases.
But above all, they're putting a whole avalanche of parts back into the bullshit machine.

Generative AI

The fabulous ChatGPT is not alone.
MidJourney is keeping him company.
The processing stages are no longer clearly understood.
The data used is not well known.
Scientists and communicators (hello Elon) are calling for a halt to R&D.
Unfortunately, they are stirring up SkyNet and Matrix.
The question of regulation is finally being raised.
At last!

An avalanche.

It's amazing.
Quite frankly.
I feel sorry for the managers.

We are ...

... experienced data scientists. Like old guys.
This outpouring leaves us a little haggard.
Perplexed.

Under the radar?

The real revolution is silent.
New, simple tools are shaking up the established order.
We can finally start talking about business intelligence.
And the use of data by companies.
Useful stuff now.

The important question!

How do I use my data?
My day-to-day business data.
To make the right decisions.

That's the important question.
The value is here.

Who cares about the rest ?


Thomas