With IBM's Watson, GlaxoSmithKline tackles sniffle and cough questions

If you start feeling a cold or flu coming on this season, you will be able to reach out to IBM's artificial intelligence-fueled Watson to find some answers to your sniffly, coughy questions. GlaxoSmithKline, (GSK) the world's sixth-largest pharmaceutical company, is teaming up with IBM to use Watson to better connect with customers. The London-based company plans to start using Watson Ads in November, enabling people to ask questions by voice or text right through GSK's online ads. Jason Andree, senior brand manager of the Cough and Cold division of GlaxoSmithKline North America, will announce the move at the start of the IBM World of Watson conference in Las Vegas this week. The event, which focuses on changing business through cognitive computing, analytics and big data, runs from today to Thursday.