Cognitive computing and artificial intelligence

Cognitive computing systems are created by connecting many different

types of computing models into a hybrid system that can better approximate
human thought processes and intelligence. These models include various
types of artificial intelligence and AI-adjacent or AI-related models, such as:

 Narrow AI: Encompassing all existing forms of AI, artificial narrow

intelligence, or weak AI, is the only type of realized AI currently
available. While more powerful, theoretical forms of AI have been
hypothesized, narrow AI can only be trained to perform single, or
narrow, tasks. While narrow AI is limited in scope, it can typically
perform specific tasks faster than humans can, with increasing,
although not perfect, accuracy. However, narrow AI is not capable of
performing outside its programmed task set. Narrow AI is designed to
target specific subsets of cognitive abilities. Even apparently advanced
AI systems like Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, or ChatGPT are
considered to be narrow AI.
 Expert systems: Expert systems are designed to function like a
narrow AI replacement for highly trained subject matter experts. They
are trained on comprehensive datasets containing factual information
and distinct rules, paired with an inference engine tuned to apply the
rules most accurately. The goal of expert systems is to offer advice or
solutions just as a human expert would. These systems can be used to
uncover trends and patterns, and they are often used to help
businesses predict future events or gain a better understanding of past
occurrences.
 Machine learning: Machine learning (ML) is a branch of AI focused on
enabling computer systems to learn the ways that humans do. ML
algorithms help computer systems perform tasks autonomously and
improve their performance and accuracy over time as they are
presented with more data and positive and negative feedback.
 Neural networks: Neural network models are a subset of machine
learning models that use reinforcement learning to make decisions.
These types of networks use layers to mimic the way biological
neurons work together to weigh options and identify phenomena.
 Deep learning: Deep learning is also a subset of machine learning
that uses multilayered neural networks called deep networks to
approximate the complex decision-making capabilities of the human
mind. The primary difference between deep learning and machine
learning is the increased layer of complexity in the network
architecture. While traditional machine learning models use simple
neural networks with one or two computational layers, deep learning
models use more—typically hundreds or thousands of layers.
 Natural language processing (NLP): Natural language processing
combines computational linguistics, a rules-based modeling approach
 to language, with statistical modeling, machine and deep learning to
enable computers to understand and respond with natural speech or
text. NLP also incorporates the subset disciplines of natural language
understanding (NLU) and natural language generation (NGU) to provide
a holistic user experience.
 Automatic speech recognition (ASR): Speech recognition, also
known as computer speech recognition or speech-to-text, refers to
techniques that allow computer programs to process human speech
into a written format. Must not be confused with voice recognition,
which is a technique that allows computers to identify an individual
user’s voice and differentiate it from others.
 Object detection: Object detection, a component of computer vision,
uses neural networks to locate and classify objects in images according
to semantic categories. Object detection is a useful tool for a wide
range of industries and applications, including self-driving autonomous
vehicles, visual search and medical imaging.
 Robotics: Cognitive systems often incorporate robotics in application.
Robots equipped with cognitive systems can use narrow AI to perform
repetitive and routine tasks, from consumer-grade home vacuum
cleaners to medical-grade surgical assistants. In agriculture, robotics
help cognitive systems engage in tasks like autonomous pruning,
moving, thinning, seeding and spraying.
Cognitive computing use cases
Recent advancements in AI technologies have had a major impact on
cognitive computing applications, from generative AI programs like ChatGPT
and Midjourney to self-driving cars and beyond. Some common real-world
applications for cognitive computing include several aspects, such as:
Virtual assistants
Popular virtual AI assistants like Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant rely on
cognitive computing to improve their utility through automation and
interactivity. Assistants like these use machine learning systems to process
natural language and tailor their suggestions to provide better results for
individual users.
Finance
Cognitive computing systems have proven to be valuable for many banking
and finance applications. Cognitive systems are used to monitor economic
conditions like supply chain variables and market trends to predict and
model both future opportunities and potential crises.
Cybersecurity
Cognitive computing systems have proven to be adept at deep data
analytics and pattern recognition. These abilities have been put to good use
especially in the field of cybersecurity. Here, specialists use cognitive
computing to analyze user behavior, such as financial transactions, to flag
patterns of potential fraud and risk.
Retail
Cognitive systems have been useful in retail applications. Tech-forward
retailers like Amazon and Netflix use cognitive computing to gain deeper
insight into users’ purchasing history and provide better product
recommendations targeted toward individuals’ personal interests.

Cognitive systems have also been useful in customer service across

industries, powering advanced chatbots to serve as virtual agents. These
agents provide detailed and informed support at a greater speed and scale
than ever before.
IBM watsonx

Certainly one of the most famous and high-profile cognitive systems, IBM
Watson® rose to prominence competing in the popular trivia game show
Jeopardy, while the Watson predecessor, Deep Blue, shocked the world when
it became the first computer system to beat a world chess champion.

Today’s iteration (IBM watsonx®) and applications are even more

impressive. One notable use case is the healthcare industry, where watsonx
has aided providers in improving medical diagnoses. Watsonx is capable of
accumulating and comprehending some of the most up-to-date research and
complicated patient histories, and it has successfully extrapolated suggested
treatment plans to bolster patient care.