Machine Learning: Where Thinking Big Doesn't Mean Being Big

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning – these emerging technologies are making headlines with publicity stunts and preliminary breakthroughs for industry giants with deep pockets. While most CEOs and senior leaders are quick to dismiss the next level of predictive analytics as more parlor trick than business case, a growing segment of midsize businesses is beginning to prove them wrong. "Making the Most of Machine Learning: Lessons from 5 Fast Learners," an SAP study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), reported that small businesses (32%) and midsize companies (42%) are using machine learning for at least one business process. This finding is a stark difference compared to the adoption rates of large enterprises (26%), which traditionally have the resources (that their smaller competitors don't have) to implement such intelligent technology. Contrary to the hype surrounding machine learning, the progress that small and midsize businesses are making in this area is deeply rooted in future growth.