Machine learning isn't just self-driving cars and personal assistants -- companies like Netflix, Facebook and eBay use it to predict customer behavior, prevent fraud, improve the supply chain, boost customer retention and more. For insight into how you can leverage the power of machine learning, don't miss this interactive VB Live event. "10 years ago, we struggled to find 10 machine learning-based business applications," said Gartner's VP of Research, Alexander Linden, during his speech at the Gartner Business Intelligence & Analytics Summit in India. "Now we struggle to find 10 that don't use it." Machine learning is already the foundation of industry giants.

Most businesses recognize that machine learning can generate exceptional value but many still wonder how, in what specific areas, and if the time is right to integrate it within their data strategy. Today, we explore what questions you should be asking to know if machine learning is right for your business. Advancements in computational power: increased performance in microelectronics are enabling businesses to process more data. With more and more of them switching out their CPUs for GPUs, time-consuming processes (like neural net training) have seen a significant increase in speed. Market leaders like Nvidia, Google, and Microsoft are even working on hardware specifically used for machine learning.

Machine learning companies are being snapped up in droves by tech giants cognizant that these startups represent a new wave of technology innovation. This month alone, Intel announced plans to acquire deep learning startup Nervana Systems. Apple confirmed it would acquire Turi. Earlier this year, Twitter acquired Magic Pony Technology, Salesforce acquired PredictionIO, ESI Group acquired Mineset, and Apple acquired Emotient, among other deals. PricewaterhouseCoopers said 29 machine learning companies have been acquired so far this year by companies large and small, and total deals in 2016 will likely exceed the 37 such buyouts made last year.

Machine learning companies are being snapped up in droves by tech giants cognizant that these startups represent a new wave of technology innovation. This month alone, Intel announced plans to acquire deep learning startup Nervana Systems. And Apple confirmed it would acquire Turi inc. Earlier this year, Twitter acquired Magic Pony Technology, Salesforce acquired PredictionIO, ESI Group acquired Mineset, and Apple acquired Emotient, among other deals. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP said 29 machine learning companies have been acquired so far this year by companies large and small, and total deals in 2016 will likely exceed the 37 such buyouts made last year.

Machine learning is a technical discipline that provides computers with the ability to learn from data (observations) without being explicitly programmed. Machine learning excels in solving complex, data-rich business problems where traditional approaches, such as human judgment and software engineering, increasingly fail. "Ten years ago, we struggled to find 10 machine learning based business applications. Now we struggle to find 10 that don't use it." While the basic concepts of machine learning have been around for decades, interest is at an all-time high.