Some of my recent work has involved researching big data and industry 4.0. We are entering a new age of computing which I think will have massive ramifications for the human race. Not just the way we work and the way we live, but the way our entire society functions. The philosophical implications are immense. But that's another blog!
Here's an article I wrote about cognitive computing and how it will impact business in the short term.
Cognitive computing: The dawn of a new era
Human development is marked by significant innovations that changed the course of our evolution. Carving arrow heads from flint gave our early ancestors a better way to hunt for food. The invention of the spinning jenny increased the production of cloth; fuelling the change from an agrarian to an industrial economy.
Now the stage is set for the next leap in human development. Some people call it revolution 4.0, some the third era of computing. But whatever you call it, the new age of digitalisation is set to change the way ourlives forever.
Big Data, cloud computing, machine learning and artificial intelligence are all part of this transformation. But a relatively new piece of the digital pie is coming to the fore - cognitive computing (also known as Robotic Process Automation [RPA] and cognitive technology). And it’s a huge game changer.
What is cognitive computing?
Traditional computer systems need to be programmed. Cognitive technology is not programmed, it learns. It understands data, and can process language and images. Mirroring the human thought-process, it develops a deeper understanding the more information it is exposed to.
Going beyond machine learning, which is essentially an algorithm you use to complete a task, cognitive technology finds patterns in the data to offer new insights. IBM defines cognitive computing as “… systems that learn at scale, reason with purpose and interact with humans naturally."
Key factors in the rise of cognitive technology
Big data. It is impossible for humans and traditional computer systems to make sense of the massive volume of data we now create (and will continue to create as the Internet of Things grows). These new cognitive systems can trawl through data and deliver insights and answers we simply could not. IBM’s Watson, probably the best known name in this field, can read 800 million pages of data per second.
The cloud. This mass of data is easily accessible on the cloud – making it straight-forward to tap into from anywhere.
Where is this technology?
You may not know it, but you have probably already interacted with cognitive technology. Apple’s Siri, Microsoft’s Cortana and Google Now all use this technology. It is already infiltrating many industries from financial services, to car makers. In the next few years you may even reveal your medical problems to a Dr-bot, which will work out the best medical solution to your problem.
Business impact
1) Informed decision making
When making a decision, the more information you use; the better your decision. By analysing ever changing sets of information, cognitive technology assigns a ‘score’ to different options, giving you a concrete set of parameters on which to base decisions.
2) Finding patterns
Now we can examine large data sets, we can discover new patterns and relationships within them and generate new insights. This then translates into improved systems and processes.
3) Helpbot
As mentioned above, cognitive computing can work as an ‘expert assistant’ offering information and answers to questions. Cognitive computing uses language and interacts with you to refine a search and hone down the answer.
4) Automation
It will take over mundane tasks. These systems can sift through information to arrange data and answer search queries. This will free workers from mind numbing repetitive activities and allowing them to focus on more complex challenges.
5) Visualisation
After crunching through the data, the results can now be displayed visually. This new way of showing information allows for a deeper exploration and analysis, giving a more profound understanding and making information more relevant.
This territory is still new and uncharted. We are still learning how to tap into big data and fully utilise this new resource. But one thing is clear. The world is changing. Business is changing. Organisations cannot afford to be left behind, or they may risk suffering the same fate as the Neanderthals.
Sources:
http://irpaai.com/what-is-robotic-process-automation/
Tags: Cognitive technology, cognitive computing, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), big data, machine learning, cloud technology.