Graphs as a foundational technology stack: analytics, AI, and hardware. Featuring Neo4j CEO and Founder Emil Eifrem, Graph Data Science Director Alicia Frame

Graphs are everywhere. That has been the motto of graph afficionados for years, and now it seems that the world is waking up to this.

How would you feel if you saw demand for your favorite topic, which also happens to be your line of business, grow 1000% in two-years time? Vindicated, overjoyed, and a bit overstretched in trying to keep up with demand, probably.

Although Emil Eifrem never used those exact words when we discussed the past, present and future of graphs, that's a reasonable projection to make. Eifrem is the CEO and co-founder of Neo4j, a graph database company which lays claims to having popularized the term "graph database", and to leading the graph database category.

Eifrem and Neo4j's story and insights are interesting because through them we can trace what is shaping up as a foundational technology stack for the 2020s and beyond: graphs.

"Graph Relates Everything" is how Gartner put it, when including graphs in its top 10 data and analytics technology trends for 2021. Interest is expanding as graph data takes on a role in master data management, tracking laundered money, connecting Facebook friends and powering Google, in search and beyond. 

Think Panama Papers researchers, NASA engineers, and Fortune 500 leaders: they all use graphs. Here's why, and how.

Article published on VentureBeat.

Image: Getty Images