Data science is a set of processes and skills that help extract meaningful information from huge quantities of raw data. It encompasses a wide range of techniques and tools that include predictive analytics, artificial intelligence natural language processing, visualization of data, and many more. Its significance is widely acknowledged within the business world, and its practitioners are sought after.

Data science is being increasingly employed in nearly every industry and, in some cases, it is central to the operations and strategies of an business. Data science is helping businesses design stronger marketing campaigns and determine the best time to advertise their products. It is aiding in managing financial risks by identifying fraudulent transactions and preventing failures in manufacturing plants and other industrial settings. It also assists in preventing cyberattacks and other threats to IT systems.

For instance an example, the algorithms that track customers on digital billboards as well as social media platforms are able to determine the shopping habits disadvantages of data driven decision making of a consumer. Marketers can then tailor their messages based on this information. This boosts conversion rates of customers, which leads to a higher ROI for marketers.

In the medical field the ability to visualize, analyze and interpret large amounts of information about patients has assisted doctors in diagnosing illnesses and develop new treatments more precisely. They also can apply preventive medicine, and investigate treatment options more quickly.

However, some of the more alarming uses of data science are those that can cause serious ethical issues. According to ProPublica the COMPAS Recidivism Risk score used by law enforcement agencies across the country to predict future crime can be biased against African-Americans.