Blockchain
Building tools for automation, personalization, and better decision making.
The term Artificial Intelligence (AI) was first coined in 1956 by John McCarthy and in broad terms involves machines that can perform tasks that are characteristic of human intelligence. Machine Learning (ML) is a group of techniques used to achieve artificial intelligence, a way to let systems learn how to be intelligent rather than having to program the logic of their every possible decision.
ML and it’s more recent variant, Deep Learning (DL), uses techniquest like Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to mimic the algorithms of the biological brain. These systems take in data and through training are able to begin to make sense of that data in novel ways, and with computational power that is far beyond the business intelligence tools of the past.
The potential application of AI, ML, and DL are endless and will dramatically transform business over the next decade as the tools advance. However, the complexity of knowing how and where to introduce these tools can be staggering. And errors in implementation or execution can lead to poor outcomes and predictions that can do more harm than good. Our strategic and technical consultants will work with you to identify ways that these powerful tools can help your business and implement them in practical ways.
Some use cases for artificial intelligence…
These are just a few ways that AI can be used to enable powerful new capabilities, but the potential is limitless.
Predictive Maintenance
The capacity of artificial intelligence, ML, and DL to analyze very large volumes of multidimensional data, often in near real-time, can take preventive maintenance systems to a new level. Folding in data from numerous sensors and feedback mechanisms can help identify issues with equipment and complex systems before they occur. There are countless use cases in manufacturing, transportation, utilities, mining, and other heavy operations.
Logistics Optimization
Optimizing logistics is another area where AI-driven technologies are changing the game. For example continuous estimation, real-time traffic prediction and routing, optimizing fuel costs, and even automated carrier selection and negotiation are all areas where AI can reduce cost and delivery times. When combined with mobile apps and sensors we can enable scenarios such as real-time behavioral coaching for drivers and operators.
Personalization and Recommendation
AI techniques can have a significant impact in the area of personalization and recommendation, whether this be for consumers or employees. By combining demographic data with past behavior and transaction data we can generate surprising but highly relevant personalized experiences and product recommendations.
Classification and Recognition
One of the core use cases for AI techniques is the classification of things and the identification of anomalies. For example, in radiology, ML and DL are gaining traction in improving the time required to review medical imagery and recognizing potential issues. This allows experienced doctors to focus more acutely on problem areas rather than sifting through the noise. And in banking, transaction histories and other behavioral data can be used to identify suspicious activity or actors.
Enabling powerful new ways to transfer, track, and verify information and value.
The technology that is behind cryptocurrencies such as BitCoin is called blockchain. At the core, a blockchain is a distributed, write-only, database that is encrypted with strong cryptography. While it’s most often associated with financial use cases, the technology can be broadly applied to almost any industry and will be a powerful force for disruption and innovation over the next decade. Data stored in blockchain form is easily shared, recovered, private, and verifiably protected from tampering.
Blockchain technology will change the game for networked business models by powering a host of breakthrough applications. And, the implications for enabling trustless transactions (in which two or more parties need not have established trust) will stretch far beyond financial services.
We will help you understand where blockchain can transform and accelerate aspects of your business. And we will work with you to implement blockchain technology in apps and software platforms that will power your company’s next generation of innovation.
Some potential use cases for blockchain…
The possible applications of blockchain are endless but here are a few areas where we see blockchain creating value.
Healthcare
Patient data, claims information, and compliance documents are all areas where blockchain can make a huge impact. The fragmentation of information these systems within hospitals, clinics, and government creates a wide surface area for conflicts, errors, and duplication, which drives up costs. And, if you’ve ever tried to transfer a medical record from one institution to another you know the challenges that can arise These are all ways the blockchain can remove whole classes of issues in storing, transferring, and validating sensitive healthcare data.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain
Sourcing materials and components, and verifying their provenance and history, requires considerable effort. O And, often this information is locked away in paper bills of lading, spreadsheets, and other inaccessible formats. Blockchain makes it possible to attach a complete record of every event and transaction that took place for a given asset from the moment it was created to the moment it was received.
Intellectual Property
Everything from music, to software, to research and inventions have been subject to digital piracy since the early days of the Internet. And many creators have historically been separated from their audiences by intermediaries: record labels, publishers, universities, and large corporations. Blockchain can replace the digital rights management approach to this problem by disintermediating the process of distribution and verifying authenticity and acceptable use.
Building tools for automation, personalization, and better decision making.
Artificial intelligence (AI), speech recognition, and natural language processing (NLP) are powering an entirely new way for users to interact with complex systems. The ability to query a system with natural language, either spoken or written, and receive information is incredibly powerful. And, the application of this technology isn’t just about home automation. Everywhere from public safety scenarios to the factory floor can be improved by the ability to interact through natural language.
Voice and chat interfaces can also be retrofitted to legacy systems. This can help modernize and extend the life of core platforms while at the same time creating new and engaging experiences for users. Our engineers and designers will work with you to understand how your apps and systems can be powered by natural language. And, we’ll help you create these layers and integrations with your technology.
Some use cases for voice and chat interfaces…
Domain Aware Virtual Assistants
Pushing your enterprise capabilities to your customers and employees through conversational interfaces can dramatically change the way they work. This technology is already being deployed in complex environments such as healthcare, construction, and public safety. But, these virtual assistants need to understand your domain in order to be effective. In order to get it right you must think deeply about the human-factors of each interaction scenario.
Automated Customer Service
Online service through chat is becoming an increasingly popular and effective way to interact with your customers. Not only is it sometimes much more efficient, but it adds a more human element to the interaction. These systems are becoming more sophisticated and capable every day and can dramatically reduce cost while also improving customer satisfaction.
Enterprise Collaboration and Automation
Platforms such as Slack, HipChat, and Microsoft Teams are creating new ways for employees to connect and collaborate. These interfaces improve productivity and bring together remote and external teams – and increasingly they are reducing the need for email. They also create powerful new opportunities for automation through chat bots. Conversational enterprise apps that power your internal operations can automate repetitive tasks and provide more timely information delivery.
Skills & Actions for Virtual Assistants
Amazon and Google have created powerful new channels for your brand through the Alexa and Google Home platforms. We will work with you to build custom skills and actions that will allow your brand to extend right into your user’s living rooms. This exciting new interaction mode will help position you at the forefront of technology and capitalize on the advantages of becoming an early adopter in conversational UI.