Imagine a world where the data about a thing is more valuable than the thing itself. That world is closer than you may think. As cars, appliances, and other devices are equipped with sensors, you may be able to trade that data for money and drastically reduce the cost of purchasing just about anything. This has profound implications for the business of making cars and other things. It means that cars aren’t just cars anymore; they are vehicles for the delivery of data.

John Ellis is an expert in Big Data and how it will change the business models of the world’s leading sectors like transportation, insurance, telecommunications, government, and home building. From 2012 to 2014, he was Ford Motor Company’s global technologist and head of the Ford Developer Program. Prior to that, John was an executive at Motorola Inc., where he delivered wireless software products and services to the mobile industry.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx