Commenting on how the application of big data can help Singapore build a smarter nation and society, Deputy Director of the Living Analytics Research Centre at SMU and Professor of Information Systems Lau Hoong Chuin said, "It's this sense that the people within the city are empowered with data – to be able to make smart decisions in their daily living. So what are some aspects of this? It's in the area of transport, the way they do shopping, the way they spend their leisure time."