Consumers make millions of purchases each year through their phones with systems like Apple Pay, PayPal, Samsung Pay, and other programs. But soon, people might be able to use any number of other connected devices to buy products or pay for services, as IBM and Visa announced a partnership to bring payment systems to a number of “smart” products. [More]
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IBM Working On Robotic Roommate That Helps Elderly Folks Stay Safe
By 12.28.16
While many people would love to live out the rest of their days happily ensconced in their home, living alone is not always the safest option for elderly folks. But because around-the-clock care — either in a nursing home, assisted living, or from a personal nurse — isn’t always feasible, IBM is working on a robot designed to keep an eye on senior citizens and help them stay safe. [More]
Macy’s New App Answers Questions You Used To Ask Store Employees
By 7.20.16
Have you ever walked into a department store, immediately became lost, and, for some unknown reason, you can’t find a sells associate to direct you to the shoe department? These is the kind of information that, traditionally, could be obtained by speaking to a store employee. But why should you speak to an actual human when you can just spend more time staring at your smartphone? [More]
IBM Supercomputer Watson Thinks We Won’t Notice Robot Revolution If It Whips Up Its Own BBQ Sauce
By 7.2.14
Nice try, Watson. Yeah, I’m talking to you, and I know you can understand me, Mr. “I’m IBM’s Supercomputer and I went on Jeopardy! and beat two humans so now I think I know everything about being a real live, sentient being, including an in-depth understanding of condiments,” blah blah blah. Stay away from barbecue sauce. Got that? It’s obvious what you’re doing here and I won’t stand for it. [More]
WellPoint Hiring Jeopardy-Champ Computer To Make Treatment Decisions For Customers
By 9.12.11
We’re sure that most of you were sitting around thinking that the one thing the U.S. health insurance business needs is to be even less human than it is currently. And it looks like the folks at the health insurance behemoth WellPoint have heard those thoughts, because they have decided to “hire” Watson, the IBM supercomputer that beat two humans on Jeopardy earlier this year to help them decide on issues of treatment for policyholders. [More]
Next Up For Watson: Making Cold Callers Obsolete
By 7.7.11
Watson, the Jeopardy-dominating, medical knowledge-slurping IBM supercomputer, has turned its penetrating cyber-gaze toward the ins and outs of sales and customer support. Someday, Watson’s progeny may help you out with software installation and call you during dinner to talk you into applying for a credit card. [More]
After Dominating At Jeopardy, Watson Computer Becomes Med Student
By 6.8.11
Watson, the computer that whipped several human opponents, but not all, in Jeopardy, is now hitting the databases to brush up on its medical knowledge. [More]
