Stepping into the future: the power of Big Data and emerging technologies

In the twenty-first century, as we enter an era of unprecedented technological innovation and data proliferation, we are not merely stepping; we are leaping into the future. This transition is characterized by the fusion of big data and emerging technologies that are changing the way we work and live. Indeed, in this transformative phase, new technologies enable organizations to provide more efficient and sustainable services, thus opening up new opportunities and fostering exponential growth. In this chapter, we aim to demystify the concepts of big data and emerging technologies, offering a comprehensive glimpse into their current state of development, and highlighting the discourse on ongoing debates. This chapter serves as a foundational stone, designed to deepen our understanding of the important role these technologies play. As we conclude this introduction, we provide a guide, tracing the roadmap of this book, summarizing its structure, and key insights.