Influential Big Data Thought Leaders

Big Data Analytics and Visualization thrive on insights from influential thought leaders. These experts shape the field by promoting ethical data use, enhancing data literacy, and bridging gaps between data science and real-world applications, driving innovation and informed decision-making.

1. Hilary Mason

   • Co-founder of Fast Forward Labs, a machine learning research company.
   • Former Chief Scientist at Bitly, where she focused on data-driven insights.
   • Advocate for the ethical use of data and the importance of data literacy.
   • Regular speaker and educator on data science and its applications in business.

2. DJ Patil

   • Former Chief Data Scientist of the United States, promoting data-driven decision-making in government.
   • Coined the term "data scientist," helping to define the role and its importance in organizations.
   • Advocate for open data and transparency in data usage.
   • Co-authored the influential report "Building Data Science Teams," guiding organizations on data talent.

3. Nate Silver

   • Founder of FiveThirtyEight, known for data-driven journalism and statistical analysis.
   • Gained prominence for accurately predicting election outcomes using data models.
   • Emphasizes the importance of understanding uncertainty and probability in data analysis.
   • Author of "The Signal and the Noise," discussing the challenges of prediction in various fields.

4. Carla Gentry

   • Data scientist and founder of Analytical-Solution, specializing in data analytics and visualization.
   • Focuses on bridging the gap between data science and business strategy.
   • Advocate for women in tech and increasing diversity in data science fields.
   • Regular speaker and contributor to discussions on practical applications of big data.

5. Kirk Borne

   • Astrophysicist turned data scientist, known for his work in big data and data science education.
   • Chief Data Scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton, focusing on data analytics solutions.
   • Prominent educator and speaker on big data technologies and methodologies.
   • Active in promoting data science best practices and community engagement.

6. Bernard Marr

   • Author and thought leader in big data, analytics, and AI, with numerous best-selling books.
   • Founder of Bernard Marr & Co., providing consulting on data strategy and analytics.
   • Regularly writes about the impact of big data on business and society.
   • Advocate for the responsible use of data and the importance of data governance.

7. Claudia Perlich

   • Chief Scientist at Dstillery, focusing on data-driven marketing and analytics.
   • Expert in machine learning and predictive modeling, with a strong academic background.
   • Advocate for ethical AI and responsible data usage in marketing.
   • Regular speaker and contributor to discussions on data science applications in business.

8. Andrew Ng

   • Co-founder of Google Brain and former Chief Scientist at Baidu, influential in AI and machine learning.
   • Founder of Coursera, democratizing access to education in data science and AI.
   • Advocate for the practical applications of AI in various industries.
   • Author of influential courses and materials on machine learning and deep learning.

9. Cathy O'Neil

   • Author of "Weapons of Math Destruction," critiquing the use of algorithms in decision-making.
   • Advocate for transparency and accountability in data science and algorithmic decision-making.
   • Former data scientist with experience in finance and academia.
   • Regular speaker on the ethical implications of big data and AI.

10. Hadley Wickham

    • Chief Scientist at RStudio, known for his contributions to the R programming language and data visualization.
    • Creator of popular R packages like ggplot2, dplyr, and tidyr, enhancing data analysis and visualization.
    • Advocate for open-source software and reproducible research in data science.
    • Regular educator and speaker on data science best practices and tools.