The Dawn of a New Era: Embracing the Power of Big Data
On a sunny day in May 2015, a gathering of esteemed individuals took place in Guizhou, China. Ma Lei Jun, along with other prominent figures, converged on the Guiyang International Data Industry Expo, marking a significant milestone in the era of global data. Premier Li Keqiang sent a congratulatory letter, underscoring the importance of this event.
Ma Lei Jun, Alibaba Group’s Chairman of the Board, took the stage to address the audience. He began by reflecting on the past, recalling the early days of e-commerce and the impact of the Internet on various industries. “13 years ago, we promoted e-commerce, saying the Internet would affect production, manufacturing, marketing, and every aspect of society,” he said. “Today, I can say that China’s economy, the world economy, and Guizhou’s economy are to blame if they do not participate in the construction of big data.”
Ma Lei Jun emphasized the significance of big data in the modern era, stating, “If you do not participate in the construction of big data, your own business will not become a true Internet of manufacturing. You will complain and complain, just like it is today.” He urged the audience to think about the future, not just from today’s performance, but from the ability to see the future.
The world is undergoing tremendous changes, Ma Lei Jun noted, with economic decline and small companies closing due to the Internet. However, he also highlighted that many thriving companies are continuously adapting and upgrading. He shared an anecdote about interviewing six young entrepreneurs who had leveraged big data and the Internet to drive their success.
Ma Lei Jun drew parallels between the three industrial revolutions, highlighting the impact of each on business and society. He emphasized that the current technological revolution is the release of human wisdom and human head, leading to changes in the way organizations operate and the future of competition.
The Shift from IT to DT
Ma Lei Jun discussed the transition from the IT era to the DT (Data Technology) era. He explained that the IT era focused on making oneself more powerful, while the DT era is about making people more powerful. The IT era allowed companies to control the future, whereas the DT era creates the future.
Ma Lei Jun emphasized that the DT era is about releasing the potential of 80% of companies, which is a significant change from the IT era where only 20% of companies became increasingly powerful. He predicted that the world will witness earth-shaking changes as IT people transition to the machine era, and machines become intelligent people.
The Future of Manufacturing
Ma Lei Jun highlighted that the future of manufacturing will not only produce goods and products but also create machines that can think, speak, and exchange information. He emphasized that the manufacturing sector will be driven by large enterprises and Internet data, making data the largest energy source.
He used the example of World War II, where Japan’s powerful warship, the Yamato, was outmaneuvered by aircraft carriers. Ma Lei Jun explained that the future of competition will be about creating strong platforms that enable customers to be powerful, making companies strong partners.
The Power of “Internet +”
Ma Lei Jun discussed the concept of “Internet +” as an ability to promote the integration of traditional industries and the Internet. He emphasized that this concept is not just about the Internet but about the fusion of information and traditional energy industries.
Ma Lei Jun explained that “Internet +” is inextricably linked with big data, cloud computing, and other technologies. He highlighted the strategic cooperation between Tencent and the Guizhou provincial government to focus on big data information industry and build large data centers.
Millet Technology’s Perspective
Lei Jun, chairman and CEO of Millet Technology, took the stage to share the company’s perspective on the wave of big data. He emphasized that Millet Technology felt a wave of change and is committed to embracing the power of big data.
As the conference came to a close, the audience was left with a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future. The dawn of a new era had begun, and the power of big data was poised to transform the world.