An introduction for everyone. In this rich,
fascinating — surprisingly accessible — introduction, leading expert
Eric Siegel reveals how predictive analytics works, and how it affects
everyone every day. Rather than a “how to” for hands-on techies, the
book serves lay readers and experts alike by covering new case studies
and the latest state-of-the-art techniques. Prediction is
booming. It reinvents industries and runs the world. Companies,
governments, law enforcement, hospitals, and universities are seizing
upon the power. These institutions predict whether you're going to
click, buy, lie, or die.

Why? For good reason: predicting human
behavior combats risk, boosts sales, fortifies healthcare, streamlines
manufacturing, conquers spam, optimizes social networks, toughens crime
fighting, and wins elections.

How? Prediction is powered by the world's most potent, flourishing unnatural resource:
data. Accumulated in large part as the by-product of routine tasks,
data is the unsalted, flavorless residue deposited en masse as
organizations churn away. Surprise! This heap of refuse is a gold mine. Big data embodies an extraordinary wealth of experience from which to learn.

Predictive Analytics unleashes the power of data. With this technology, the
computer literally learns from data how to predict the future behavior
of individuals. Perfect prediction is not possible, but putting odds on
the future drives millions of decisions more effectively, determining
whom to call, mail, investigate, incarcerate, set up on a date, or
medicate.

In this lucid, captivating introduction — now in its Revised and Updated edition
— former Columbia University professor and Predictive Analytics World
founder Eric Siegel reveals the power and perils of prediction: What type of mortgage risk Chase Bank predicted before the recession.Predicting which people will drop out of school, cancel a subscription, or get divorced before they even know it themselves.Why early retirement predicts a shorter life expectancy and vegetarians miss fewer flights.Five reasons why organizations predict death — including one health insurance company.How U.S. Bank and Obama for America calculated the way to most strongly persuade each individual.Why the NSA wants all your data: machine learning supercomputers to fight terrorism.How IBM's Watson computer used predictive modeling to answer questions and beat the human champs on TV's Jeopardy!How
companies ascertain untold, private truths — how Target figures out
you're pregnant and Hewlett-Packard deduces you're about to quit your
job.How judges and parole boards rely on crime-predicting computers to decide how long convicts remain in prison.182
examples from Airbnb, the BBC, Citibank, ConEd, Facebook, Ford, Google,
the IRS, LinkedIn, Match.com, MTV, Netflix, PayPal, Pfizer, Spotify,
Uber, UPS, Wikipedia, and more.  How does predictive
analytics work? This jam-packed book satisfies by demystifying the
intriguing science under the hood. For future hands-on practitioners
pursuing a career in the field, it sets a strong foundation, delivers
the prerequisite knowledge, and whets your appetite for more. A
truly omnipresent science, predictive analytics constantly affects our
daily lives. Whether you are a consumer of it — or consumed by it — get a
handle on the power of Predictive Analytics.