Data science glossary

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Data science is key to the success of NATO, but what do all these terms mean?

1. ALGORITHM

A finite sequence of well-defined, computer-implementable instructions, typically to solve a class of problems or to perform a computation.

6. DATA LAKE

Long-term storage facility for all types of data, whether or not they are destined to be used for a specific analytical purpose.

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2. ARTIFICIAL

INTELLIGENCE (AI)

The simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think like humans and mimic their actions.

3. BIG DATA

The data that contains greater variety, arriving in increasing volumes, and finally with higher velocity.

4. DATA ANALYSIS

The process of cleaning, analysing, interpreting and visualizing data, with the goal of discovering insights.

5. DATA FUSION

The process of integrating multiple data sources to produce more consistent, accurate and useful information than that provided by any individual data source.

7. DATA SCIENCE

The field of study that combines domain expertise, programming skills and knowledge of mathematics and statistics to allow the extraction of meaningful insights from data.

8. DATA SET

A collection of data that can be accessed individually or in combination, or managed as a whole entity, for training, modelling or analytics purposes.

9. MACHINE LEARNING

A branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer science that uses data and algorithms to learn patterns, without being explicitly programmed.

10. DEEP LEARNING

A machine-learning technique that imitates the workings of the human brain (ie neural networks) and teaches computers to learn by example.