In this session from the Microsoft Machine Learning & Data Science Summit, explore how parallelized ML algorithms in Azure HDInsight R Server and Spark machine learning library contrast and complement each other. The session also covers advanced algorithms such as deep neural network learning libraries available in the broader Spark ecosystem.

We have moved from the age where organizations had to jump through hoops to get relevant data about their customers, business segments, market, etc. With the onset of massive digitization across the business world, getting and collecting information is no longer a challenge, but processing them into meaningful insights is. Enterprises in this competitive business landscape are focusing towards an integrated data driven approach to enable rapid and accurate decision making. Machine learning, no longer lying in the realms of sci-fi, with its multi-faceted applications and benefits is emerging as a front-runner to overcome this challenge. Enterprises implementing machine learning can easily get new market insights, predict customer behavior or preferences, and reduce operating costs by improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the business processes.

With the increasing volume of interactions with customers over social media channels, KLM Royal Dutch Airline is the first airline to test how artificial intelligence could assist customer service agents. "We have 100,000 mentions a week on social media," says Tjalling Smit, senior vice president of Digital at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. "We handle around 15,000 customer service cases a week and we answer our customers 24/7 in 10 different languages." As social channels proliferate, KLM makes sure it is present where its customers live online. "We were the first airline to allow customers to get their boarding passes and flight confirmation through Facebook Messenger," says Smit. KLM is piloting DigitalGenius' GPU-accelerated AI system that is integrated directly into KLM's Customer Relationship Management tool, and provides a layer of deep learning and artificial intelligence to service agents in real-time.

Designed with strong technical expertise and high intelligence, it's not so far-fetched that the robots of the future could outperform human managers. This article titled "Why a robot could be the best boss you've ever had" was written by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, for theguardian.com Would you like to work for a robot? Although the automation of skilled jobs is a reality, your boss is probably (still) a human. Even though the most optimistic artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiast would struggle to persuade us that the technology to create non-human leaders is upon us just yet, robots could be managing people in the decades to come.

"Let me at least pull the hosts who had contact with him," Elsie asks Bernard.

Samsung, announced that it has agreed to acquire Viv Labs, the intelligent interface to everything. Viv has developed a unique, open artificial intelligence (AI) platform that gives third-party developers the power to use and build conversational assistants and integrate a natural language-based interface into renowned applications and services. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions. The deal showcases Samsung's commitment to virtual personal assistants and is part of the company's broader vision to deliver an AI-based open ecosystem across all of its devices and services. With Viv, Samsung will be able to unlock and offer new service experiences for its customers, including one that simplifies user interfaces, understands the context of the user and offers the user the most appropriate and convenient suggestions and recommendations.

President Obama thinks that artificial intelligence will be one of the thorny issues awaiting his successor in the White House. The implications of recent advances in AI were a major theme at a technology conference organized by the White House and held in Pittsburgh today. Speaking on stage, Obama said self-driving Ubers, which are being tested with passengers in Pittsburgh, were a good example of the coming complexities. Although welcome and useful, vehicles that drive themselves will have some downsides. "A huge percentage of the American population makes its living, and often a pretty good living, driving," Obama said.

Hurricane Matthew's record rains were but the first of many obstacles faced by millions of evacuees in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas this past week. Roads were blocked by chest-high floodwaters and downed trees. Gas stations ran out of fuel. And traffic sat backed up for miles along interstate highways as floodwaters overtook what appeared to be tens of thousands of households. Most did make it to safety, thanks to evacuation orders, well-planned emergency procedures, and traffic managers switching up lanes to move a glut of vehicles (contraflow for the win).

A gift from internet retailer and cloud computer giant Amazon has moved the UW's future computer science and engineering building 10 million closer to its 110 million fundraising goal. Funded by a combination of public and private partnerships, the 130,000-square-foot building will provide the space necessary to double the number of degrees awarded annually by the department of computer science and engineering (CSE) to 600. The project currently stands at 86 million according to Ed Lazowska, UW's Bill & Melinda Gates Chair for Computer Science and Engineering. "Amazon's gift will have a significant impact in helping UW CSE to grow, to educate many more Washington students in computer science and computer engineering," wrote Hank Levy, chairman in CSE at the UW, in an email. "We are honored to be part of a community of individuals and companies that work together to make our region strong and to create employment for students."

President Obama joined a chorus of those warning of the potential downsides of artificial intelligence. In an interview with Wired Magazine, Obama spoke of redesigning the social compact and starting a conversation around fair wages. He cited teachers as being underpaid, and called for a reexamination of what we value, and what we'll pay for. Obama addressed basic income, a proposal for all citizens to receive a government stipend in order to meet their costs of living. The idea has gained recent support among some futurists and economists, given concerns over how technology will eliminate jobs and impact salaries in coming years.