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I.T. Innovations in Business. Teaching handbook

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3. Modern technological innovations
This section dives into a few modern technological innovations which have made a huge impact in today’s world and will continue to propel society into the future.
3.1.  Big Data and Aificial Intelligence
Data is a collection of facts, figures, and statistics that are used to represent information. Data can be in various forms, including num­bers, text, images, audio, video, and more. Data is essential for mak­ing informed decisions, identifying trends, and understanding patterns.
Data can be categorized into two types: structured and unstruc­tured. Structured data is organized and formatted in a specific way, making it easy to search, sort, and analyze. Examples of structured data include spreadsheets, databases, and tables. Unstructured data, on the other hand, is not organized in any way, making it difficult to search and analyze. Examples of unstructured data include emails, social media posts, and images. Data can also be categorized into two types based on its source: primary and secondary data. Primary data is col­lected directly from its source, while secondary data is collected from other sources, such as books, articles, and reports. Primary data can be collected through surveys, experiments, observations, and interviews.
The nature of data is constantly evolving, with data becoming big­ger, more complex, and more diverse. Big Data refers to data sets that
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3. Modern technological innovations
Volume
Velocity
Value
Hypothetical
Veracity
Accountability
Variety
are too large and complex to be processed by traditional data process­ing methods. The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to the creation of more data than ever before, with sensors and devices col­lecting data in real-time. This data can be analyzed to gain insights into consumer behavior, product performance, and market trends.
The five main and innate features of big data are the 5 V’s (ve­locity, volume, value, variety, and veracity). Knowing the 5 V’s en­ables data scientists to extract more value from their data while also enabling the scientists’ company to become more customer centric.
Big data was only discussed in the early part of this century in terms of the three V’s: volume, velocity, and variety. Two more V’s (value and veracity) have been developed over time to assist data sci­entists in better articulating and communicating the important quali­ties of big data. The number five represents the five fundamental ques­tions that any news item should address.
Terabytes
Records/Archives
Transactions
Tables, Files
Statistical
Events
Correlations
Trustworthiness
Authenticity
Origin, Reputation
Availability
Batch
Real/Near-Time
Processes
Streams
Structured
Unstructured
Multi-factor
Probabilistic
Fig. 12. The 5 V’s of Big Data
Volume: The first of the 5 V’s of big data is volume, which refers to the amount of data that exists. Volume is the foundation of big data because it is the initial quantity and amount of data collected. When the volume of data is vast enough, it is referred to as big data. What is
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3.1. Big Data and Aificial Intelligence
deemed big data, however, is relative and will fluctuate based on the available computing power on the market.
Velocity: It relates to the speed with which data is generated and moved. This is a key consideration for businesses that require their data to flow fast so that it is available at the appropriate moments to make the best business decisions possible. A big data organization will have a vast and continuous flow of data being created and sent to its even­tual destination. Data could come from a variety of sources, including machines, networks, smartphones, and social media. This data must be swiftly digested and analyzed, sometimes in near real time. In health­care, for example, several medical devices are now available to monitor patients and collect data. From in-hospital medical equipment to wear­able gadgets, acquired data must be swiftly transmitted and processed.
However, in other circumstances, having a limited amount of col­lected data may be preferable than collecting more data than an or­ganization can process, as this might result in slower data velocities.
Variety: The term “variety” refers to the variety of data types. An organization may collect data from a variety of different data sourc­es, the value of which may vary. Data can come from both inside and outside of a company. The standardization and sharing of all data col­lected is a difficulty in variety.
Data collected can be unstructured, semi-structured, or struc­tured. Unstructured data is disorganized data that comes in many files or types. Unstructured data is typically not a good fit for a standard relational database since it does not fit into traditional data models. Semi-structured data is information that has not been arranged into a specific repository but does have associated information, such as metadata. As a result, it is easier to process than unstructured data. Structured data, on the other hand, is information that has been or­ganized into a prepared repository. This means that the data is more easily accessible for efficient data processing and analysis.
Veracity: It relates to the data’s quality and accuracy. Data col­lected may be incomplete, erroneous, or incapable of providing true, valuable information. Overall, veracity refers to the level of trust in the obtained data. Data might become jumbled and difficult to use at times. If the data is incomplete, it can produce more confusion than
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3. Modern technological innovations
insights. In the medical field, for example, if data on what drugs a pa­tient is taking is missing, the patient’s life may be jeopardized.
Both value and truthfulness contribute to the definition of data
quality and insights.
Value: This refers to the value that big data may give, and it is closely related to what organizations can do with the data they col­lect. The ability to extract value from big data is required, as the val­ue of big data increases considerably based on the insights that can be gleaned from it.
Organizations can obtain and analyze data using the same big data techniques, but how they derive value from that data should be unique to them.
With respect to big data, here are a number of key trends:
1. Non-database sources as dominant data generators: Voice as­sistants and IoT devices are driving a rapid increase in big data management needs across industries, forcing organizations to reexamine their data processing requirements.
2. Increased focus on information quality and improved govern­ance: Organizations are recognizing the importance of relia­ble and accurate data for making informed decisions and are investing in strategies to enhance data quality and governance.
3. Leveraging AI and ML technologies: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are being used to extract valuable insights from large datasets, enabling organizations to make more accurate predictions and optimize their oper­ations.
4. Stronger reliance on cloud storage: The cloud provides a scal­able and cost-effective solution for storing and processing large volumes of data, allowing organizations to access their data from anywhere and at any time.
5. Real-time analytics: With the evolution of streaming analyt­ics, organizations can now analyze data as it is generated, en­abling them to make immediate decisions and respond quick­ly to changing market conditions.
6. Expansion of edge computing: Edge computing allows or­ganizations to process and analyze data closer to the source,
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3.2. Blockchain Technology and Web 3.0
reducing latency and enabling real-time decision-making in remote or resource-constrained environments.
7. Ethical customer data collection: As data privacy concerns grow, organizations are focusing on collecting and using cus­tomer data in a responsible and ethical manner, ensuring com­pliance with regulations and building trust with their cus­tomers.
8. AI/ML-powered automation: Big data analytics is increas­ingly being used to automate various tasks and processes, im­proving efficiency and freeing up human resources for more strategic activities.
9. Wider usage of RPA technologies: Robotic Process Auto­mation (RPA) is being employed to automate repetitive and rule-based tasks, enabling organizations to process and ana­lyze data more efficiently.
10. Data Fabric and Data Mesh: These approaches to data man­agement and integration are gaining popularity, allowing or­ganizations to create a unified and flexible data architecture that can support their evolving needs.
11. Cybersecurity: As the volume of data increases, organiza­tions are placing a greater emphasis on data security, imple­menting robust cybersecurity measures to protect their val­uable information.
3.2. Blockchain Technology and Web 3.0
In more recent times, the term Web 3.0 (aka Web3) has become a buzzword. This phrase in general is used to describe the third gen­eration of internet services, still under development and is aimed at creating a decentralized and open web that possesses greater utility for all users. In addition, experts have purported that it will be the new face of the web powered by technologies such as artificial intel­ligence, IoT, and blockchain.
One of the key and central themes to Web3 is blockchain tech­nology. Blockchain technology is a decentralized, distributed ledger
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3. Modern technological innovations
that stores the record of ownership of digital assets. In summary, it is a shared, immutable ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in a business network10. Though it is still under development, there are a number of challenges to consid­er, such as scalability, interoperability, and regulatory issues. In addi­tion, the technology is complex and requires specialized knowledge and expertise for effective development and implementation.
Blockchain plays a crucial role in transforming the convention­al approaches for data storage and management. Blockchain offers a unique collection of data or a universal state layer, which is subject to collective management.
Block N–1: This represents the previous block in the blockchain (Fig. 13). It contains a cryptographic hash of Block N, which serves as a unique identifier for that specific block. It also contains a list of transactions that occurred before those in BlockN. Essentially, Block N–1 is the block that directly precedes Block N in the blockchain.
Block N-1 Block N Block N+1
Fig. 13. Blockchain Structure
10
What is blockchain? // IBM : site. URL: https://www.ibm.com/topics/block-
chain (date of access: 27.07.2023).
11
Iqbal M., MatulevičiusR. Exploring sybil and double-spending risks in block-
chain systems // IEEE Access. 2021. Vol. 9. P. 76153–76177.
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3.2. Blockchain Technology and Web 3.0
Block N: Block N is the current block in the blockchain. It in­cludes a reference to Block N–1’s hash, thereby linking it to the pre­vious block. Block N contains a batch of new transactions that have been validated and added to the blockchain. Miners or validators in the blockchain network verify these transactions before they are included in BlockN.
Block N+1: This is the block that will follow Block N in the block­chain. It is typically empty or contains only a few initial transactions because it is in the process of being mined or validated by network par­ticipants. Once enough transactions are added and verified, Block N+1 will be appended to the blockchain, and the cycle continues.
A blockchain can be pictured as a digital notebook shared by a group of people. Instead of it being owned and controlled by one person, all parties have a copy of the notebook. Each of the group members works together to update it. The notebook records trans­actions, such as every gift received or given to someone else. The pe­culiar aspect is as follows: Each page of this notebook is linked to the one before it, thereby creating a chain of pages. Also, on every page, there is a list of the undertaken transactions over time. Thus, if any­one tries to change information/data on an earlier page, it would be obvious because it destroys everything that comes after it. As such, the notebook is very secure. In order to make a change, each mem­ber of the group must be in agreement. Since everyone has their own copy of the notebook, no one person can make secret changes.
This shared notebook can be likened to the blockchain which is a way to keep a secure and unchangeable record of transactions, like a digital ledger that lots of people keep an eye on. Blockchain has found its usefulness for cases such as digital money (cryptocurrencies), healthcare records, supply chain because it ensures that no one can rig the system or falsify records without everyone else knowing about it.
The arrival of Bitcoin was one of the first points for drawing the outline for Web 3.0. The Bitcoin blockchain and other protocols helped in creating networks where hackers would have to break into multiple houses all over the globe for accessing data in one house. Blockchain placed the foundation for Web 3.0 definition as it facili­tated the data storage in multiple copies of the P2P network.
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3. Modern technological innovations
The protocol helps in the formal specification of management rules in the protocol. In addition, the protocol also guides the security of data through majority consensus from all participants in the network (Fig. 14). The participants receive incentives in the native network to­ken for their contribution to the network’s security and maintenance.
Fig. 14. Blockchain Consensus Mechanisms
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Just as every technology, there are variations for different con­texts. Blockchain architectures include (Fig. 15):
Public Blockchain: The most well-known type of block-
chain, used by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. In a public blockchain, anyone can join the network, partic­ipate in consensus, and validate transactions. Transactions are transparent and open to anyone to verify.
12
Consensus Mechanisms in Blockchain // Shiksha Online. URL: https://www. shiksha.com/online-courses/articles/consensus-mechanisms-in-blockchain/ (date of access: 27.07.2023).
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3.2. Blockchain Technology and Web 3.0
Fig. 15. Permissioned vs Permissionless Blockchains
13
Private Blockchain: Also known as permissioned blockchains,
these are restricted to a specific group of participants. Only authorized users can join the network, validate transactions, and access the data. Private blockchains are often used for en­terprise applications, where transparency is important among known participants.
Consortium Blockchain: Similar to private blockchains, con-
sortium blockchains are controlled by a group of organizations rather than asingle entity. They are typically used for collabo­rative projects where multiple organizations need to share data and collaborate while maintaining a certain level of control.
Hybrid Blockchain: This is a combination of public and pri-
vate blockchains. Some data or transactions are private, while others are public. It can be useful when different parts of anet­work require different levels of security and transparency.
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Realizing edge marketplaces: Challenges and opportunities / Varghese B. et al. //
IEEE Cloud Computing. 2018. Vol. 5. No. 6. P. 9–20.
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3. Modern technological innovations
Sidechains: Sidechains are separate blockchains that are in-
teroperable with the main blockchain (mainchain). They can be used to perform specific functions or experiments without affecting the mainchain’s stability.
Federated Blockchain: This architecture involves a group of
pre-selected nodes or validators that have the authority to val­idate transactions. It combines some aspects of centralization with the security benefits of blockchain.
MultiChain: This is a specific technology that allows organ-
izations to build private blockchains for specific use cases. MultiChain is designed for applications that require high lev­els of data privacy and control.
With respect to the use cases of blockchain, the technology has many potential use cases beyond it being known to be the core of Bit­coin. These are some of its emerging applications across finance, busi­ness, government, and other industries:
Banking and Finance: Blockchain provides a way to securely and
efficiently create a tamper-proof log of sensitive activity. This makes it excellent for international payments and money trans­fers. It also has the ability to streamline trade finance deals and simplify the process across borders. Blockchain technology can be used for regulatory compliance and audit purposes as well.
Supply Chain Management: Blockchain can be used to track
the movement of goods and ensure their authenticity. It can also be used to track the origin of products and ensure that they are ethically sourced.
Healthcare: Blockchain can be used to securely store and share
patient data, ensuring that it is accurate and up-to-date. It can also be used to track the supply chain of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, ensuring that they are genuine and safe.
Real Estate: Blockchain can be used to create a decentral-
ized and tamper-proof record of property ownership. This can help to prevent fraud and streamline the process of buy­ing and selling property.
Voting and Governance: Blockchain can be used to create
a secure and transparent voting system, ensuring that votes
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