When we can tell something is happening, that’s detection.
When we try and tell that something may happen in the future, that’s prediction.
Companies spend a lot of time and effort trying to predict what’s going to happen. The problem is it’s easy to get wrong. And that can be costly.
However, disciplined, systematic, and rigorous detection can help us point out problems before they get too big.
Let’s use earthquakes as an example. Seismologists still can’t predict when an earthquake will happen, but then can detect when one is happening with frightening accuracy.
A 15-20 second detection warning could help trains slow down before the earthquake hits to minimise the risk of derailment. It could be used in hospitals or dentist surgeries as a warning for medical professionals to stop delicate procedures.
There’s untapped potential in better detection.