Using Semantics in Predictive Big Data Analytics

Predictive analytics in the big data era is taking on an ever increasingly important role. Issues related to choice on modeling technique, estimation procedure/algorithm and efficient execution can present significant challenges. For example, selection of appropriate/optimal models for big data analytics often requires careful investigation and considerable expertise which might not always be readily available. In this paper, we propose to use semantic technology to assist data analysts/data scientists in selecting appropriate modeling techniques and building specific models as well as the rationale for the techniques and models selected. To formally describe the modeling techniques, models and results, we developed the Analytics Ontology that supports inferencing for semi-automated model selection. The ScalaTion framework, which currently supports over thirty modeling techniques for predictive big data analytics is used as a test bed for evaluating the use of semantic technology.