Cognitive computing

Interactive features of a cognitive system denote the ability to easily interact with users in regards to what they need. This is not restricted to just people, with processors, devices and cloud services also able to interact with the system.

Stateful features of a cognitive system is all about problem solving, as well as ‘remembering’. Through asking questions or finding additional information, cogfnitive systems can help in defining a problem. The system can then draw upon past interactions with the user and give them suitable information.

Contextual features of a cognitive system needs little explaining – it is all about giving context to the user. A system could be asked to identify, understand and extract information such as syntax, time, date, task or meaning . The system could draw on structured and unstructured data as well as sensory inputs in order to offer context.

One of the best known cognitive systems is IBM Watson – described by Big Blue as a ‘technology platform that uses natural language processing and machine learning to reveal insights from large amounts of unstructured data.’

IBM Watson has inked deals with Whirlpool for smart homes, helped establish the first cognitive hospital in the UK, and has even been put to work in the kitchen as a chef for recipes.