Open Data and Big Data: A Perspective from Colombia

Abstract

Open data is accessible public data that people, business, and organisations can use to launch new ventures, analyse patterns and trends, make data-driven decisions, solve complex problems, control of public institutions and improve the quality of life. Big data gives us unprecedented power to understand, analyse, and ultimately change the world we live in. Both big data and open data can transform business, government, and society and a combination of the two is especially potent. Colombia has taken small steps and still has a long way to go to make use of big data and open data for the benefits of its citizens. This paper breiefly reviews steps the Colombian government is taking to achieve the potential of the new technology. © Springer International Publishing Switzerland 2014.