Cognitive computing is a new form of computational analysis, combining leading-edge technologies including machine learning and natural language processing, to automate analysis of unstructured, and in particular written and spoken, data. Despite some claims to the contrary, it is designed to supplement rather than replace human decision-making, writes Wikibon Big Data Analyst Jeff Kelly. It allows end-users, including business executives and medical professionals, to ask questions in plain language rather than having to program them, and to receive answers in a language they can understand.

Cognitive computing systems like IBM’s Watson are designed to answer the need for complex analysis of very large volumes of unstructured data. Watson can sort through huge amounts of medical information to design customized treatment plans for individual cancer patients, based on their genetics, health history and the genetics and stage of their cancer. In digital security it can sort through millions of transactions, identify suspicious events and identify and learn patterns that indicate ongoing fraud in near-real-time so security experts can take action in time to prevent losses. It can help retailers understand what their customers think of their products and  anticipate what individual customers may want to buy next or identify those who may move to a competitor and recommend actions to keep the customer, based in part on their comments on social media combined with buying patterns.

These systems solve a real problem in Big Data, which is categorizing, sorting and deriving valuable information from huge masses of data that overwhelm manual processes, Kelly writes. The technology is still immature, but it is already being proven in a growing number of use cases. Wikibon recommends that both IT and business practitioners begin evaluating these cognitive computing systems and identify potential high-impact use cases in their businesses while being mindful of potential risks and potential regulatory issues.

Kelly’s full report, “Primer on Cognitive Computing”, is available without charge on the new Wikibon Premium Web site.

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