Human Factor Is Crucial to the Alt Data Gold Rush

While alternative data holds the promise of new and competitive ways of sourcing alpha, technology alone is not enough to extract its full value.

Human interpretation is the key ingredient to drowning out the noise and understanding these often complex datasets, says Victoria Rock, head of alternatives product at Legg Mason.

“You can use algorithms—great—but equally, you have to have that human interpretation because if the data that comes back [from service providers] is rubbish, you need