Pressed Data: Best of 2016

In Pressed Data, my Forbes.com In 2016, I covered artificial intelligence--the 60-year-old new new thing, big data--the most recent hottest trend and a catalyst for the new-found popularity of the new one, the fading away of former tech leaders, a number of startups, and a number of influential business and tech innovators. When Artificial Intelligence Started To'Change The World' A review of ENIAC in Action: Making and Remaking the Modern Computer, "a nuanced, engaging and thoroughly researched account of the early days of computers, the people who built and operated them, and their old and new applications," contrasting it with "history as hype, offering a distorted view of the past, sometimes through the tinted lenses of contemporary fads and preoccupations." Hype is on full display in "The Human Face of Big Data" of which I wrote: "…in our technology-obsessed world, new technologies and new technology applications tend sometimes to become buzzwords that are hyped, celebrated and often discussed irresponsibly by technology vendors and the media. Unfortunately, 'The Human Face of Big Data' by and large falls into this trap, the fascination (self-delusion?) with the idea of we are living a momentous time in history thanks to technology."