Ducati Corse Races Ahead of the Pack with Accenture and Machine Learning Intelligent MotoGP Racing Bikes Build New Aptitude for Optimal Results MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, BARCELONA; February 27, 2017 – Ducati Corse, the racing department of Ducati Motor Holding, a world leader in sports motorcycle manufacturing, is working with Accenture (NYSE: ACN) to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence technologies into the testing of its MotoGP racing bikes. Ducati Corse wants to make testing its race bikes faster, cheaper and more effective. Accenture Analytics, already Official Digital Partner to the Ducati Team racing in the MotoGP World Championship, has lately been working with them to create an intelligent testing approach with a bespoke analytics engine. Integrated Machine Learning technologies mean that the more data that enters the system, the more configurations are available for testing with increasingly accurate performance predictions. Data visualization tools designed for an intuitive user experience will allow testing engineers to interact with insights, tweaking them at any point to create a new perspective on configurations and race times.

Software-defined networking, or SDN, offers automation and orchestration advantages, leading to an intelligent enterprise. SDN can enable automated cyber defense, especially as organizations look to more effectively respond and mitigate cyber attacks. However, more advanced techniques, including the application of machine learning, can be used to shift an organization's focus from automated response to proactively defending the network. This discussion will focus on the use of SDN to not only enable security orchestration and automated cyber response, but to proactively alter the attack surface to deceive potential adversaries.

China set a record high in terms of venture capital (VC) investments in 2016, despite a global slowdown. The strong performance is expected to continue with artificial intelligence (AI) an additional focus for investors, finds latest KPMG analysis. Investment by VCs in China increased 19 percent year on year to USD31 billion in 2016, although deal volumes declined 42 percent to 300 from 513 a year earlier, according to Venture Pulse, KPMG's quarterly global report on VC trends. The strong performance is attributed to a number of mega-deals recorded early in the year. The report highlights that artificial intelligence and cognitive learning are poised to transform almost every aspect of people's lives.

Artificial intelligence (machines doing things instead of humans) and augmented intelligence (machines helping humans do what they need to do better) are vogue concepts but what's the relevance to professional services organizations? In this free webinar, we will discuss how machine intelligence can be applied to help drive performance in consulting. John Ragsdale, VP Research, Technology and Social for TSIA will explain where TSIA members see the most opportunity and Kimble will talk about how Kimble customers are using intelligence and gamification to drive behaviors that speed up and improve the impact of positive decision making in selling, resourcing, delivery and operational management.

Thanks to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) software drones are able to perform flights without a human pilot. The new software was introduced by a start-up Exyn Technologies and allows drone navigation through dark, indoor and off-grid environments. The sensor fusion and AI provide drones with a situational awareness. Multiple sensors enable drone to create a 3D map and update it after take-off. Human engagement during the flight is limited only to giving drone a goal and starting location.

Automation and Artificial Intelligence: Threat or Help? There are over 5 million search results when you Google, "Will artificial intelligence replace humans?". The doomsday scenario and visceral fear created by the potential "rise of the machines" has people like Elon Musk describing artificial intelligence as "summoning the demon," and the biggest threat facing the world. Advances in technology can absolutely simplify certain processes, buying behaviors and reduce operational costs. Just look at what Amazon has done to the retail sector, and not the least of which at where it's taking consumer goods purchasing, with its newly released Amazon Go.

It takes bravery nowadays to predict the future. Indeed, if the events of 2016 have taught us anything, it's that unlikely outcomes can easily become a reality. This year marks the 20th year of our CEO Survey and it's been fascinating to look back over the surveys to see how the thinking of CEOs has developed, reflecting the environment around them. To their credit, CEOs saw a lot of the turmoil coming; back in 2009, 76% predicted a rise in political and religious tension and even then 46% believed that governments would become more protectionist. But successful predictions are relatively rare - and that's a salient lesson for people strategy. In 2015, our CEO survey showed that a third of business leaders were increasing their reliance on contractors and freelancers – signalling the emergence of the'gig economy'.

Can artificial intelligence do the work of high-powered consultants? A Munich-based startup founded by a math major is doing just that. His fast-growing software startup offers companies like 3M, Cisco, and General Electric better results at a fraction of the cost -- and he's grabbing market share in a $15 billion market from consulting powerhouses like IBM and Accenture. Should investors in those incumbents be worried? Before getting into why, let's take a trip down my memory lane.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is so last year, according to some experts. Scientists at MIT this week claimed a breakthrough in how human intuition can be added to algorithms. And in a separate, unrelated report, Deloitte Consulting is chastising the business community for not comprehending fully that new, cognitive computing technology should be exploited. "Artificial intelligence is only the beginning," researchers write in a Deloitte University Press article about Deloitte's February study. "Advanced cognitive analytics" is just one of the "fast-evolving" technologies businesses need to get a handle on, they say.