IBM adds Watson's AI capabilities to its Cloud Video platform, and heralds the advent of 'programmatic metadata'

When IBM began constructing its Cloud Video portfolio earlier this year through the acquisitions of Clearleap and Ustream, it was always envisaged that at some stage, its Watson AI assets would be brought into play to bolster its video analytics capabilities with cognitive computing. An early example of the application of this technique to video included IBM's use of experimental Watson APIs to create a "cognitive movie trailer." The system learned from previous horror trailers what was likely to have made them effective, and then identified relevant scenes in an un-released movie that could improve response. IBM also partnered this year with the US Open to convert commentary to text with greater accuracy by having Watson learn tennis terminology and player names before the tournament. The recently announced slew of Watson-inspired video applications indicates that promise has now become a reality.