ABSTRACT
Digital technology is primarily concerned with capturing and storing data which is then transformed, through organising, structuring and presenting, into accessible information within given contexts. Information leads to knowledge which enables judgements that, in today’s world, can be taken by humans and machines. The pervasiveness of digital technology has led to data generation increasing manyfold. Such incredible data generation inevitably leads not only to information, in its many forms, but also misinformation and disinformation. This has become a major societal issue across the world. In the digital age it is unsurprising that systems, organisations, and individuals suffer from information overload and information pollution which reduces the potential benefits to be gained from relevant information generated from valid data. The provenance and integrity of data and information become increasingly important as data generation escalates. All of these issues are explored in this chapter with accounts of how the data-to-information transformation process, and accompanying challenges, have changed over time.
