Mining Watson for data gold

Oft cited as the blow that is knocking the wind out of the services business, AI has flexed its disruptive muscle. While Uber's advanced algorithms have produced efficiencies in ride sharing and differential pricing that have proved difficult for traditional taxi fleets to compete against, AirBnB is using advanced AI to find the perfect match between host and guest, creating an experience that will shine in comparison to high cost hotel rooms. But AI is more than a disruptive force that will displace businesses or replace workers – the technology is moving mainstream to provide decision support in an increasingly broad range of traditional sectors. A good example of this mainstreet extension of AI can be found in the experience of Vancouver-based Goldcorp Inc., which is using IBM's Watson to optimize exploration. Goldcorp is one of the largest gold mining operations in the world; however, mining in general is characterized as a'high risk, high reward' activity in which ore discovery can have a significant impact on profitability.