STEAM：What is big data?(组图)
发布 : 2025-11-26 来源 : 明报新闻网 用微信扫描二维码，分享至好友和朋友圈 | 加关注  明声网温哥华 微信公众号 |
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The Urban Renewal Authority uses big data to analyze the need for renewal in different regions.
Public hositpals are testing an AI system which can save energy by adjusting air-conditioner temperatures.
Bill Finds Out How to Run Faster!
There was a speedy boy named Bill who loved to run. He represented his school in races, but lately, he was running slower than usual.
Bill decided to find out why. He looked at three things: what he ate before running, how much he slept, and the coach's words of encouragement. After three months of checking, he discovered that sleeping less than 8 hours made him 5 seconds slower.
Bill made a change. He started sleeping more, going to bed early, and avoiding screens before sleeping. Soon, he felt stronger and more ready for races.
At the next big race, Bill ran faster than ever before. Everyone cheered as he crossed the finish line, breaking his own record.
Understanding big data
Big data（大数据） refers to extremely large sets of tiny pieces of information. These pieces of information can be facts, stories, pictures, or even things that people like to do. By analyzing everyone's data, we can learn from the patterns in the data, solve problems, and make better decisions.
For example, shops will analyze customer data to make decisions, such as setting the prices of their products and predicting what types of products to provide. With the use of big data, the government can also improve the living standards of people by developing a smart city (智慧城市) and making people's lives more convenient and livable.
Concern about usage of big data
However, privacy is the major concern of the usage of big data. With so much information being collected and analysed, there is a risk of individuals' privacy being compromised. The data may be leaked and there will be an increasing number of cyber-attack.
■Glossary
pattern (n) 模式
livable (adj) 宜居的
compromise (v) 损害
leak (v) 泄露
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[Smarties' Power English 第454期]