We are generating more data than ever before—every interaction, every click, every connected device adds to an ocean of information. But how did we get here?
It started in the early 1990s with the first wave of digitisation, when the internet changed the way we store information, and by the year 2000, global data storage had reached 0.5 zettabytes (that is, 500 billion gigabytes). While this seemed staggering at the time, in reality, it was only the beginning.
The years that followed brought what is now called the "digital dawn"—the rise of social media—where platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube exploded in popularity, and the internet became part of our everyday lives. By the end of the decade in 2010, global data storage had quadrupled.
Former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt, famously remarked in 2010:
"There were 5 exabytes of information created between the dawn of civilization through 2003, but that much information is now created every 2 days."
In 2012, Google reported that it was handling around 100 billion searches per month, and as we increasingly turn to the internet for learning, entertainment and connectivity, the global datasphere led to a sixfold increase by 2015, reflecting our growing reliance on digital information.
Fast forward to 2020, and the global data quadrupled again reaching 47 zettabytes. The Internet of Things (IoT) amplified this trend even further, with 16 billion connected devices worldwide by 2022—everything from smart appliances to industrial machines, all collecting and transmitting data.
Today, we’re witnessing a ‘data overload’. By the end of this year (2025), experts expect the global datasphere to reach 175 zettabytes, an incredible leap from just two decades ago.
Yet these figures only scratch the surface, according to an early estimates from Statista, by 2035, the world could be dealing with a 2,142 zettabytes—an almost incomprehensible amount—and the trend shows no signs of slowing.
In this reality, you might find yourself asking critical questions:
• How can we make sense of this overwhelming amount of data?
• What does my data actually mean?
• What insights can it reveal about my work, my company, my customers, my market, my future?
And perhaps the most pressing question of all: 'How can I turn all this information into a competitive advantage?'
Every click, every transaction, and every customer interaction leaves a digital footprint—but as the volume grows, so does the complexity. For many professionals, navigating through endless tools, spreadsheets, and platforms becomes a daunting task. The numbers seem important, but the insights remain hidden—like a needle in a haystack.
This is the data dilemma: the paradox of being overloaded with information while starved of clarity. The very thing that should empower you—your data—can sometimes leave you feeling stuck, uncertain, and even behind the curve.
The rapid pace of technological advancement, while full of promise, adds pressure to stay competitive. Many professionals find themselves in this exact position, overwhelmed by data yet unable to act decisively.
But what if there was a way to cut through the noise? What if you could transform this mountain of raw data into clear, actionable insights?
By uniting data science, psychology, and guidance from industry experts, this overwhelming flow of data can become a rich source of clarity, a roadmap for success—helping you make confident decisions.
Yes, the data explosion poses a serious challenge, but it also presents a remarkable opportunity. Triumph lies in turning data overload into meaningful insight, which is about more than just crunching numbers, it’s about understanding the story your data tells and knowing how to use it to shape your future.
Which brings us to the question: Are you ready to turn your data into decisions?
