Policy-Making in a Big Data World

For those interested I appeared on The Agenda with Steve Paikin the other week talking about Big Data and policy making.

There was a good discussion with a cast of character that included (not counting myself):

Kenneth Cukier, the Data Editor for The Economist and author of “Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think“
Matthew Mendelsohn, Director of the Mowat Centre
Phillip Cross of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute
Vivek Goel – President and CEO of Public Health Ontario

So much to dive into this space. There are, obviously, the dangers of thinking that data can solve all our problems, but I think the reverse is also true, that there is actually a real shortage of capacity within government (as in the private sector where these skills are highly sought after and compensated) to think critically about and effectively analyze data. Indeed, sadly, one of the few places in government that seems to understand and have the resources to work in this space is the security/intelligence apparatus.

It’s a great example of the growing stresses I think governments and their employees are going to be facing. One I hope we find ways to manage.