Many of the techniques used in data mining have their roots in traditional statistical analysis and artificial intelligence work done since the early part of 1980s.
Data mining has suddenly gained the attention of the business world because:
More intense competition at the global driven by customers’ ever-changing needs and wants in an increasingly saturated marketplace.
General recognition of the untapped value hidden in large data sources.
Consolidation and integration of database records, which enables a single view of customers, vendors, transactions, etc.