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Could a big data-crunching machine be your boss one day? Could a big data-crunching machine be your boss one day?
(about 11 hours later)
I'm on a date with Amelia. She's neatly dressed, emotionally intelligent and whip-smart.I'm on a date with Amelia. She's neatly dressed, emotionally intelligent and whip-smart.
But she's a little too virtual for my tastes.But she's a little too virtual for my tastes.
Amelia is a "learning cognitive agent", according to her creators IPSoft - like one of those virtual customer service helpers that pop up on corporate websites.Amelia is a "learning cognitive agent", according to her creators IPSoft - like one of those virtual customer service helpers that pop up on corporate websites.
Only not so dumb and a lot less irritating.Only not so dumb and a lot less irritating.
But one day, she could end up being your boss, her makers believe.But one day, she could end up being your boss, her makers believe.
Machine learningMachine learning
Amelia can swallow textbooks whole, speak 20 languages, understand concepts and learn from her mistakes. And she can be replicated any number of times.Amelia can swallow textbooks whole, speak 20 languages, understand concepts and learn from her mistakes. And she can be replicated any number of times.
On my screen I see her absorb a complex engineering manual in 14 seconds then immediately answer questions such as "What are the symptoms of a bent drive shaft?" and "What causes high power demand?"On my screen I see her absorb a complex engineering manual in 14 seconds then immediately answer questions such as "What are the symptoms of a bent drive shaft?" and "What causes high power demand?"
This may be a far cry from Scarlett Johansson's uber-intelligent operating system Samantha in Spike Jonze's sci-fi film, Her, but it's the future, says Chetan Dube, IPSoft's chief executive.This may be a far cry from Scarlett Johansson's uber-intelligent operating system Samantha in Spike Jonze's sci-fi film, Her, but it's the future, says Chetan Dube, IPSoft's chief executive.
The key to Amelia's intelligence is that she can understand what you mean even if you ask the question several different ways - "what is meant, not just what is said", as Mr Dube puts it.The key to Amelia's intelligence is that she can understand what you mean even if you ask the question several different ways - "what is meant, not just what is said", as Mr Dube puts it.
And if she doesn't know the answer she can refer to human agents for help, observe how they handle the issue, then learn the answer for next time.And if she doesn't know the answer she can refer to human agents for help, observe how they handle the issue, then learn the answer for next time.
This ability to interpret context, problem solve and learn is fundamental to automating many of the business processes now performed by humans, usually in large call centres, he believes.This ability to interpret context, problem solve and learn is fundamental to automating many of the business processes now performed by humans, usually in large call centres, he believes.
"Machine intelligence is starting to rival human intelligence," he asserts."Machine intelligence is starting to rival human intelligence," he asserts.
Algorithm directorAlgorithm director
This machine learning intelligence is starting to work its way into the boardroom.This machine learning intelligence is starting to work its way into the boardroom.
For example in May, a Hong Kong-based venture capital company appointed an algorithm to its board of directors.For example in May, a Hong Kong-based venture capital company appointed an algorithm to its board of directors.
Deep Knowledge Ventures (DKV) decided that a program, Vital, should have a say in what companies the firm invested in, based on its ability to analyse huge amounts of relevant data.Deep Knowledge Ventures (DKV) decided that a program, Vital, should have a say in what companies the firm invested in, based on its ability to analyse huge amounts of relevant data.
Vital was developed by Aging Analytics, a UK research agency providing life science market intelligence to pension funds, insurers and governments.Vital was developed by Aging Analytics, a UK research agency providing life science market intelligence to pension funds, insurers and governments.
DKV says it has a "long-term goal of developing the software to a point it is capable of autonomously allocating an investment portfolio".DKV says it has a "long-term goal of developing the software to a point it is capable of autonomously allocating an investment portfolio".
And IBM, the tech giant behind the Watson supercomputer - famous for beating contestants on the US quiz show Jeopardy - is developing a version of the brainbox that could contribute to board meetings and help develop strategy.And IBM, the tech giant behind the Watson supercomputer - famous for beating contestants on the US quiz show Jeopardy - is developing a version of the brainbox that could contribute to board meetings and help develop strategy.
Boardroom Watson would be able to transcribe everything said in a meeting, show answers to research questions on a big screen, and also come up with its own suggestions consistent with company strategy based on algorithms and big data analytics.Boardroom Watson would be able to transcribe everything said in a meeting, show answers to research questions on a big screen, and also come up with its own suggestions consistent with company strategy based on algorithms and big data analytics.
Worryingly for some, IBM says Watson would also be able to analyse the contributions made by each board member for usefulness and accuracy.Worryingly for some, IBM says Watson would also be able to analyse the contributions made by each board member for usefulness and accuracy.
IrrationalIrrational
So does this mean Amelia, Watson and their artificially intelligent siblings are threatening to take over completely?So does this mean Amelia, Watson and their artificially intelligent siblings are threatening to take over completely?
The strength of computers and smart machines lies in their ability to analyse vast data sets and make decisions based on evidence alone.The strength of computers and smart machines lies in their ability to analyse vast data sets and make decisions based on evidence alone.
Human judgement is often clouded by irrationality, emotion and imperfect knowledge.Human judgement is often clouded by irrationality, emotion and imperfect knowledge.
For example, when it comes to self-driving cars, proponents argue that letting machines make decisions for us could save lives by reducing the number of road accidents.For example, when it comes to self-driving cars, proponents argue that letting machines make decisions for us could save lives by reducing the number of road accidents.
A sensor-laden car wirelessly linked up to a traffic monitoring supercomputer would avoid dangerous situations, display much quicker reactions, keep to speed limits, and never succumb to road rage, they argue.A sensor-laden car wirelessly linked up to a traffic monitoring supercomputer would avoid dangerous situations, display much quicker reactions, keep to speed limits, and never succumb to road rage, they argue.
Creative touchCreative touch
But what are the limits of the machine?But what are the limits of the machine?
Optimists believe smart robots and cognitive agents will rid us of the unskilled tasks and let us get on with what we humans are really good at - being creative.Optimists believe smart robots and cognitive agents will rid us of the unskilled tasks and let us get on with what we humans are really good at - being creative.
"Today, most of us are enslaved to the common chores that occupy 80% of our time," says Mr Dube."Today, most of us are enslaved to the common chores that occupy 80% of our time," says Mr Dube.
"Cognitive agents will free us from the mundane and allow us, or prompt us, to elevate ourselves into higher value creation - something that requires more creative thinking.""Cognitive agents will free us from the mundane and allow us, or prompt us, to elevate ourselves into higher value creation - something that requires more creative thinking."
Tom Austin, of research company Gartner, agrees: "Robots can free workers for higher-priority tasks and those tasks that require the greater creativity and adaptability people provide in non-routine situations."Tom Austin, of research company Gartner, agrees: "Robots can free workers for higher-priority tasks and those tasks that require the greater creativity and adaptability people provide in non-routine situations."
Data analytics and algorithms can even lead us down blind alleys, believes James Quincey, Coca-Cola's Europe group president. But data analytics and algorithms can also lead us down blind alleys, believes James Quincey, Coca-Cola's Europe group president.
"It's easier to get lost in all the data - it can help us create a better yesterday rather than a better tomorrow," he said at a recent Institute of Directors convention at the Royal Albert Hall in London. "We still need to rely on our gut instinct and develop a richer, more instinctive understanding of the consumer.""It's easier to get lost in all the data - it can help us create a better yesterday rather than a better tomorrow," he said at a recent Institute of Directors convention at the Royal Albert Hall in London. "We still need to rely on our gut instinct and develop a richer, more instinctive understanding of the consumer."
Data managers?Data managers?
And could machines ever really manage people?And could machines ever really manage people?
Data analytics will certainly have a bigger part to play in quantifying employees' performance and assessing their strengths and weaknesses, experts believe. Even psychometric testing can be automated.Data analytics will certainly have a bigger part to play in quantifying employees' performance and assessing their strengths and weaknesses, experts believe. Even psychometric testing can be automated.
"Data scientists, people from social science, computer scientists, people from HR [human resources], former consultants - these are the groups that are really going to shape how companies will work and grow," says Ben Waber, chief executive of Sociometric Solutions, one of the contributors to a recent report called The Future Workplace."Data scientists, people from social science, computer scientists, people from HR [human resources], former consultants - these are the groups that are really going to shape how companies will work and grow," says Ben Waber, chief executive of Sociometric Solutions, one of the contributors to a recent report called The Future Workplace.
But when it comes to human skills such as intuition, lateral thinking and emotional intelligence, machines lag far behind.But when it comes to human skills such as intuition, lateral thinking and emotional intelligence, machines lag far behind.
"Machines can at best be run-of-the-mill managers," says Mr Dube. "Thinking creatively, out of the box, for implementing better business outcomes tomorrow is a domain where, today at least, man reigns supreme.""Machines can at best be run-of-the-mill managers," says Mr Dube. "Thinking creatively, out of the box, for implementing better business outcomes tomorrow is a domain where, today at least, man reigns supreme."
It may be some time yet before Amelia conquers the world.It may be some time yet before Amelia conquers the world.