Data mining refers to the process where a large amount of data is analyzed to extract new and hidden information from it, which can then be used to boost business efficiency. In other words, you can say data mining searches for valid, hidden, and potentially useful patterns in large data sets. Since data mining needs multi-disciplinary skills, you’ll have to use statistics, machine learning, AI (artificial intelligence), and database technology. Since data mining helps you discover previously unknown/unsuspected relationships amongst the data, you can use the insights gathered from it for scientific discovery, sales and marketing, fraud detection, etc.