Intel just painted a target on IBM Watson's back

Intel announced late last week that it has formed a new AI group to consolidate a number of its programs and acquisitions. It's headed by Naveen Rao, the former head of Intel acquisition Nervana. This means Intel is making sure is has a major seat at the table as artificial intelligence and machine learning branch out to touch virtually everything -- from autonomous driving to IoT to enhancing corporate systems -- over the next 5-7 years. In the short term, the group will focus on research related to its software and hardware (Nervana, Xeon/Lakecrest chips and subsequent families) to deliver AI for drones and autonomous vehicles, smart cities, health care, personal appliances, etc. But I expect a longer-term play.