We call it the beginning of a third generation of computers or cognitive computers which are able to reason and learn Manoj Saxena, GM, Watson Solutions, IBM.

October 15, 2012:

With artificial intelligence expected to be the next big game-changer in the industry, IBM is betting big on its super-computer, Watson. Named after former IBM president Thomas Watson, the system-of-systems is capable of understanding human speech and natural language. It beat two top contestants in American quiz show Jeopardy last year. Manoj Saxena, General Manager of Watson Solutions, IBM, spoke to Business Line about its expansion plans in India, and the potential the super computer holds in the Indian markets. IBM is also launching a new set of offerings next year, targeted towards the growth markets. Saxena said the focus in India is primarily around development and delivery.

What kind of machine is Watson?

We call it the beginning of a third generation of computers or cognitive computers. These are computers which are able to reason and learn. The first generation of computers were tabulating machines like grinders and weighing machines. The second generation of computers are the ones that we use today. The ones that can process a number of things like invoices and transactions, but they cant understand human behaviour and words. Watson is the beginning of the third generation of cognitive computing that understands human language and learns from the usage.

What are your plans for Watson in India?

We recently announced the formation of a Watson software and services team in Bangalore. The purpose of the team is to be able to manage the content and information that goes into Watson. We are building a delivery and support team to start supporting our deployments in South-East Asia sometime next year.

I fully expect the India team to be innovating new ways around managing content, as well as innovating with clients on the new solutions to bring to market. We are trying to understand not just the Indian markets, but all the growth markets and seeing what is the functionality and what is the foot print of applications that are needed there.

Are you planning to expand the Watson team to other cities in India?

The next city where we plan to expand into is Pune. Although we cant give numbers, the team will be made up of both experienced IBMers and freshers. Mid next year, well be announcing a set of offerings. I cant disclose much, but these are systems that will help knowledge workers people who are in portfolio management, bond traders or contact centres. Watson could be a good candidate for anything from Dalal Street to the doctors office. (Watson is being used to diagnose cancer in the US ).

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IBM bets big on Watson, its super-computer