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Big data

Data has become a key asset for the economy and our societies and the need to make sense of ‘big data’ is leading to innovations in technology.

evocation of the concept of big data

© GettyImages-889994504 Iaremenko

Big data refers to large amounts of data produced very quickly by a high number of diverse sources. Data can either be created by people or generated by machines, such as sensors gathering climate information, satellite imagery, digital pictures and videos, purchase transaction records, GPS signals, and more. It covers many sectors, from healthcare to transport to energy.

Generating value at the different stages of the data value chain will be at the centre of the future knowledge economy. Good use of data can also bring opportunities to more traditional sectors such as transport, health or manufacturing. Improved analytics and processing of data, especially of big data, will make it possible to:

  • transform Europe’s service industries by generating a wide range of innovative information products and services;
  • increase the productivity of all sectors of the economy through improved business intelligence;
  • address more efficiently many of the challenges that face our societies;
  • improve research and speed up innovation;
  • achieve cost reductions through more personalised services;
  • increase efficiency in the public sector.

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See Also

Data Act

The Data Act is a key measure for making more data available for use in line with EU rules and values.
Free flow of non-personal data

The EU wants to ensure a free flow of data in Europe, allowing companies and public administrations to store and process non-personal data wherever they choose.
European Data Governance Act

A European Data Governance Act, which is fully in line with EU values and principles, will bring significant benefits to EU citizens and companies.

Last update

7 June 2022

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