Like computing power, data storage capability grows every year. So data-intensive applications once impossible became a part of our everyday lives. This also means that massive data volumes that we can only imagine today will become commonplace in the future enabling applications that are fantastically powerful, ridiculous and sometimes beneficial.

Chris Gladwin is the Founder of Cleversafe, whose software is the foundation of many of the largest data storage systems worldwide. Their technology is used to store many of the files, maps, songs, television and movies you use every day. The company also created one of the 10 most powerful patent portfolios in the world and then was acquired by IBM in 2015. Prior to Cleversafe, Chris founded the first music service provider, MusicNow, and tablet computer company, Cruise Technologies. Chris is a member of the Illinois Tech Board of Trustees and will be the 2016 commencement speaker.

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