Hybrid AI: A Better Model for Leveraging Machine Learning and Human Expertise

Artificial intelligence (AI) – i.e., algorithms and machine learning processes – are drivers of many of today's major innovations in software and hardware, from social media chatbots to highly automated customer relationship management applications. One of the key differences to look at in the years ahead will be traditional AI versus hybrid AI, which we can understand by comparing two AI-driven technologies: IBM Watson and the Tesla Model S. These two categories were put forward at the start of a September 2017 SC 20/20 Webcast discussion of the future of AI, to contrast traditional and hybrid AI. Hybrid AI goes further than the former category by integrating human expertise. Could it be the secret to making bots, machines and applications more intelligent than the ones that rely on the limited AI of today? IBM Watson, which was identified in the webinar as an example of conventional AI, has become an important exploratory tool in fields such as health care.