Artificial Intelligence is a technology that uses human-like learning to perform tasks. The idea of Artificial Intelligence or AI is nothing new. As a concept it has been in our literature and art for centuries. But these ideas had no foundation other than as philosophies of nature and science fiction. Connectionist paradigms of Artificial Intelligence have a somewhat more flexible approach than their rule-based cousins, but both have applications in modern technologies. Machine learning is based on artificial neural networks, which are a much-simplified version of how our brains work.

As the Director of Data Science for an advanced analytics company, Sean brings machine learning automation into business applications to help organizations build core strategies around data. Having worked across diverse industries, and alongside many talented professionals, Sean has seen the blend of approaches required to successfully convert raw data into real world value. Sean holds his doctorate in scientific computing where he used advanced mathematics, parallel computing and optimization to solve challenges in nanotechnology, chemistry and renewable energy. After completing his Ph.D. Sean started his own Data Science consulting practice, helping companies automate decision-making and uncover the underlying patterns that drive business environments. Sean has since worked for global consulting firms and silicon valley startups to help bring the advances in machine learning to business applications.

In our first blog post on AI Everywhere and Nowhere, we outlined the challenges of defining Artificial Intelligence and in our second blog post, we described how ubiquitous AI is becoming and defined it as Ubiquitous Intelligence. In this blog, we define the continuum of AI as AAAI–Assisted, Augmented, and Autonomous Intelligence. Over the past couple of decades, AI has replaced many of the repetitive and standardized tasks done by humans. For example, industrial robots are tackling many manufacturing tasks. Similarly, many administrative tasks like taking minutes of a meeting, answering the phones, and searching for information are all done by some form of an automated system.

Accenture is expanding its machine learning and operations analytics capabilities with the acquisition of OPS Rules, a boutique analytics consulting company that specializes in operations analytics solutions.

Global consulting firm Accenture has released a report looking at the potential benefits of autonomous vehicles in Australia and what connected industries may be affected by the advent of self-driving.

Three years later in 2016, enough time has passed to discern patterns from trends. In that time the industry has experienced seismic shifts and a sweeping wave of consolidation. So let's take another look at the state of the digital nation and why, for the bold, great opportunity lies ahead. There's plenty of additional reading in the links for those who want to go down the rabbit hole, as well as a reference table at the end. Happy to continue the discussion on Twitter using the hashtag #DigitalNation at @ezyjules and @marvelapp. A sweeping wave of acquisitions has decimated the ranks of independent agencies and formed two clashing clans. On the one side are the giants of advertising and marketing and on the other the titans of management consultancy. Meanwhile the market over which they are fighting is in the midst of a multi-faceted existential crisis. Over the last four years the design consultancy industry has experienced an unprecedented period of consolidation, building to a ...

If the global professional services company has its way, digital workers may be just around the corner. Accenture has partnered with IT and business process automation company IPsoft to create artificially intelligent technology to perform a variety of tasks at enterprises worldwide. This new AI arm of Accenture is based on IPsoft's cognitive agent, Amelia, which IPsoft bills as "your first digital employee." Amelia, which uses natural language to communicate with customers "just like a human," can perform a host of service desk duties. This can include helping customers open new bank accounts, processing insurance claims and checking in patients at hospitals.

As we saw in our first blog post on AI Everywhere and Nowhere, defining'Artificial Intelligence' is like trying to hit a disappearing target. As soon as any aspect of AI gains widespread adoption, people fail to distinguish it as an AI technology, and it dissolves into the sea of general technology. As a result, most detractors of AI, at least until recently, have questioned the real-world applications of AI. In turn, AI never gains the respect and recognition it needs to evolve and reach its full potential. The beauty (and bane) of AI is that it is everywhere and yet nowhere – it is becoming ubiquitous in all of our interactions (at least all of our'virtual interactions'), yet most people fail to recognize and respect it.

Global services juggernaut Accenture is partnering with IT and business process automation specialist IPsoft to build a new Accenture practice dedicated to bringing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to global enterprises. Earlier this week, the partners announced the creation of an Accenture Amelia practice built around IPsoft's Amelia cognitive agent, an AI that emulates human intelligence and can communicate with natural language. IPsoft has positioned Amelia as "your first digital employee" -- one that can take on a wide range of service desk roles. "This cutting-edge new practice is going to give our clients more artificial intelligence firepower by accelerating their ability to apply AI to significantly improve their operations and create new growth opportunities for their business," says Paul Daugherty, CTO, Accenture. "One of the ways Accenture is going to do this is by using IPsoft's Amelia Platform to develop artificial intelligence strategies, solutions and consulting services for our clients in the banking, insurance and travel industries."