Welcome to the IBM Interconnect 2017 podcast series, coming to you from sunny Las Vegas. In this episode, we have the pleasure of being joined by Steve Adere, a strategic advisor focusing 100% on AI startups. Steve shares his insights and takeaways from the event, highlighting the promise of cognitive computing and the impact it has on various industries.

Steve Adere: A Strategic Advisor and AI Enthusiast

Steve Adere is a seasoned advisor with over 20 years of experience, specializing in early-stage software startups. His expertise lies in shaping business strategies, messaging, securing funding, and establishing key partner ecosystems. With a keen focus on AI startups, Steve has been at the forefront of leveraging cognitive computing to drive innovation and transformation in the industry.

Key Takeaways from IBM Interconnect 2017

1. Impressive Messages and Key Themes: Steve was highly impressed with the messages and key themes presented at IBM Interconnect 2017, particularly the emphasis on keeping data simple, empowering teams, and building hybrid cloud solutions.
2. Real Instances of IBM Delivering on Cognitive Computing: Steve noted that IBM has made significant strides in delivering on the promise of cognitive computing, with a tighter synergy across the cloud story, IoT, and other areas.
3. The Role of AI in Startups: Steve highlighted the growing trend of non-technical professionals embracing AI and machine learning to drive innovation and create impactful solutions for businesses and consumers.

The Impact of Cognitive Computing in Healthcare and Financial Services

During the event, Steve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the impact of cognitive computing in key vertical markets, particularly in healthcare and financial services. He was particularly impressed by the advancements in natural language processing (NLP) and its significance in driving innovation and transformation in these sectors.

NLP and its Significance

• Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP is a critical component in leveraging cognitive computing to process and understand text analytics, enabling faster actionable data and smarter decision-making.
• Cognitive to the Core: The integration of data-first methodologies, enriched by AI and machine learning, has paved the way for cognitive computing to become the core of enterprise strategies, driving innovation and transformation.
• Empowering People and Teams: The application of cognitive computing has empowered professionals in various industries, enabling them to engage with consumers in a more meaningful and personalized manner.

The Future of Cognitive Computing and AI Startups

As the event concluded, Steve emphasized the growing importance of cognitive computing and AI startups in shaping the future of industries. He highlighted the potential for AI to become the new UX, driving hyper-personalization and enhancing the overall customer experience.

Key Themes and Innovation

• Enterprise Strong: The shift towards systems of intelligence replacing systems of record, empowering businesses to make data-driven decisions and drive innovation.
• Data First Methodology: The adoption of a data-first approach, leveraging machine intelligence for prediction and critical thinking, leading to faster time to insights and smarter decision-making.
• Cognitive to the Core: The seamless integration of cognitive computing into enterprise strategies, driving augmented intelligence and enhancing human-machine collaboration.

The Road Ahead for Cognitive Computing

In the latest chunk of the transcript, Steve discusses the advancements in deep learning, transfer learning, and unsupervised learning in the field of cognitive computing. He emphasizes the potential for unsupervised learning to enable machines to infer and learn on their own, which could lead to more intelligent AI systems. Steve also touches on the importance of addressing bias in machine learning algorithms and the potential for transitive reasoning to create more natural and fluid interactions with AI systems.

Looking to the Future

• Deep Learning Advancements: The dominance of deep learning and the potential for transfer learning to accelerate the development of embedded machine intelligence systems.
• Unsupervised Learning: The push for improvements in unsupervised learning to enable machines to infer and learn independently, leading to more intelligent AI systems.
• Addressing Bias in Machine Learning: The importance of addressing bias in machine learning algorithms to avoid negative consequences and ensure fair and inclusive AI systems.
• Transitive Reasoning: The potential for transitive reasoning to create more natural and fluid interactions with AI systems, enhancing the overall user experience.

In conclusion, IBM Interconnect 2017 provided valuable insights into the future of cognitive computing and its impact on various industries. As AI continues to evolve and drive innovation, the potential for AI startups to shape the future of business strategies and customer engagement is becoming increasingly evident.

As we look towards the future, the seamless integration of cognitive computing and AI startups into enterprise strategies holds the key to unlocking new opportunities and driving meaningful transformation across industries.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the evolving landscape of cognitive computing and AI startups. Thank you for joining us in this deep dive into the world of cognitive computing and its impact on the future of business.

Conclusion

The future of cognitive computing and AI startups is filled with promise and potential. As we continue to witness advancements in NLP, machine learning, and augmented intelligence, the impact on industries such as healthcare, financial services, and customer engagement is becoming increasingly evident. With a data-first approach and a focus on empowering people and teams, the road ahead for cognitive computing is paved with innovation and transformation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download