BBC News

British Chancellor George Osborne recently announced that the government will provide 42 million UK pounds (nearly $70 million US) to fund a research center that will carry the name of computer pioneer Alan Turing. The Alan Turing Institute will focus on new ways of collecting, organizing, and analyzing big data. Britain's government says big data "can allow businesses to enhance their manufacturing processes, target their marketing better, and provide more efficient services." Turing's work at Bletchley Park during World War II helped accelerate Allied efforts to read German naval messages enciphered with the Enigma machine. However, in 1952 Turing was convicted of gross indecency in connection to homosexual activity, lost his security clearance, and had to stop the code-cracking work. He received a posthumous royal pardon in 2013. To read further, please visit http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-26651179.