6 trends in data and artificial intelligence for 2021 and beyond

The last year has shown the value of innovative uses of data and analytics, as companies shifted to accommodate rapidly changing circumstances. At the same time, other firms struggled to keep up, with some wrestling with issues of how to gather, use, and manage data. "The gap has widened between those who are leaders in analytics and those who are laggards," according to Cindi Howson, chief data strategy officer at analytics platform provider ThoughtSpot. At the recent MIT CDOIQ Symposium, Howson outlined six trends in data, analytics, and artificial intelligence that can help orient data leaders in a shifting landscape. COVID-19 forced companies to react and pivot quickly to stay afloat. Now it's time for firms to be more strategic and intentional about where they focus innovation and investment efforts, Howson said.