In the Information Age, we are inundated with information. Whether it’s streaming music, social media updates, or the latest news, we rely on technology to provide us with an endless stream of data. This transformation has been made possible through the amalgamation of information science and digitization, a synergy that has revolutionized the way we live, work, and learn.

Information science is a multidisciplinary field concerning the creation, management, and dissemination of information. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including information retrieval, data analysis, knowledge management, and information systems. Digitization, on the other hand, refers to the process of converting analog data to a digital format. This includes scanning physical documents, converting audio and video to digital format, and creating data-based, descriptive representations of objects or concepts.

The Information Age has given rise to big data, described as data repositories totaling enormous amounts and covering a multitude of measurements or characteristics. Information science plays a crucial role in developing techniques for processing, analyzing, and visualizing this data, providing businesses and researchers with the tools to make informed decisions.

Search engines and recommendation systems are fundamental to our online experience. Information science principles underpin these technologies, making it possible for us to find information quickly and accurately in the vast sea of online content.

Educational institutions have embraced online learning platforms and digital resources. Students can access lectures, assignments, and materials from anywhere, making education more accessible and flexible.

Electronic health records, telemedicine, and health apps are revolutionizing the healthcare industry. Patients can access their medical information online and doctors can provide remote consultations.

The marriage of information science and digitization has reshaped our world in profound ways, from the way we communicate and entertain ourselves to how we learn and work. As technology continues to advance, the importance of understanding and harnessing these forces becomes even more critical. Information science, with its multidisciplinary approach, is central to ensuring that we navigate the digital landscape responsibly, extracting its benefits while mitigating its challenges. It is a field that will continue to evolve and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our digital society.

Search has become more intelligent, personalized, and diverse, leveraging technologies to deliver faster and more accurate results across a wide range of platforms and devices. Findable content is important to knowledge management. Taxonomy-based indexing increases the findability of data. Access Innovations is one of a very small number of companies able to help its clients generate ANSI/ISO/W3C-compliant taxonomies.

Melody K. Smith

Data Harmony is an award-winning semantic suite that leverages explainable AI.

Sponsored by Access Innovations, changing search to found.