The Commercial Side of Graph Analytics: Big Uses, Big Mistakes, Big Opportunities

Abstract

Connectivity is the cornerstone of our contemporary world, permeating various sectors like retail, communications, biology, and finance. Although this inherent interconnectedness holds substantial meaning and predictive power, harnessing it for practical use in the business realm often proves challenging. In this presentation, we will delve into the commercial applications of graph analytics, highlighting both common pitfalls to avoid and promising opportunities to explore. To begin, we will explore the prevalent use cases of graph analytics, encompassing areas such as fraud detection, supply chain optimization, data management, and recommendations. We'll also shed light on why many teams tend to deploy only a limited set of graph algorithms. Additionally, we will examine how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the utilization of graphs in business settings. Next, we will venture into the major mistakes that businesses often make when implementing graph analytics. These blunders range from technical hurdles like scalability issues and handling tricky data types to human challenges such as fostering a graph-thinking mindset and avoiding excessive perfectionism. Moreover, you will gain quick tips to help teams secure funding for graph projects. Lastly, we will delve into some of the most significant prospects within the commercial space. We will address enduring challenges, such as transforming business data into a graph format and ensuring interoperability with production processes. We will also dedicate time to exploring the rising interest in combining graphs with AI systems, particularly the recent buzz surrounding combining graphs with generative AI. While this particular trend garners attention, we will look at other promising opportunities that it may overshadow. By the end of this talk, you will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the practical applications of graph analytics in business contexts. Furthermore, you'll gain valuable knowledge about pitfalls to avoid, strategies for securing funding, and a forward-looking perspective on emerging possibilities in this dynamic field.