Trends Report

Google Flu Trends — A Big Data Fail? Not Exactly

Learn Big Data Lessons From Google

June 20th, 2014
Brian Hopkins, VP, Emerging Tech Portfolio
Brian Hopkins VP, Emerging Tech Portfolio
With contributors:
Leslie Owens , Abigail Komlenic

Summary

In 2008, Google developed a big data predictive model using Internet search terms that it claimed could track the spread of the flu faster and with greater accuracy than the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In recent years, however, some academics have questioned the model's accuracy. Moreover, the media has seized upon the model's limitations to debunk big data in general. This report examines why Google's experiment is both a positive demonstration of innovation and a cautionary tale for firms embarking on big data.

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