What they say

"We need to seriously think about trivial inference from data. The world is changing and there is too much data. Innovation outpaces our ability to consume. So the biggest challenge is our ability to ask the right questions. Big data has gotten more complex and we need to think about it from five dimensions: volume, velocity, veracity, variety and value."

Anthony Scriffignano, senior vice-president and chief data scientist of Dun & Bradstreet

"I think big data is all about the future because we are online 24/7. A lot of things have been put on the website. We are actively looking for partnerships in China and partners in Guiyang as well. Guiyang has been doing well with big data in finance and we want to see how we can cooperate in the future."

Or Perelman, COO and cofounder of ChromaWay

"The country recognizes the importance of big data development and it needs a platform. Guizhou big data expo is such a platform. Big data will be important fuel behind the development of society in the future, and artificial intelligence will rely on it too."

Zhang Chen, chief technology officer of JD

"Everybody is becoming a producer, an analyst and a user of data. How to share and make the best use of data so it can become the driver pushing society forward is the question we are facing now. We are lucky to take part in the reformation of society as a member of the big data industry, and we are willing to promote the prosperity of the data era. We also hope to shoulder more social responsibility in big data application, and create a healthy, positive data culture, constructing a diversified network."

Chen Gang, CEO of online travel guide website Mafengwo

"Guiyang's progress in big data has attracted global attention in only a few years, and it has become the flagship of the industry."

Wu Fushi, CEO, SAS China region

"Big data has great potential, and Guizhou is pioneering this industry. The province welcomes young people to start their career here and show their talent. The big data industry is very technical, so finding skilled professionals is the main problem. Guizhou needs to work on its talent pool, but I believe the problem will be solved gradually with the industry's development."

Yin Jian, professor at the data science and computer school of Sun Yat-sen University

(China Daily 05/27/2017 page10)