4 ms·

IBM Watson Analytics vs. Microsoft Azure Machine Learning (2014)

12 points by rfreytag 11y ago

nl 11y ago
Watson Analytics is basically a cloud hosted version of IBM Cognos with a pretty interface and some natural language parsing. The Watson brandname encompass IBM's Machine Learning and "Big Data" offerings. It doesn't really have a huge amount to do with Watson-the-Jeopardy winner apart from the name.
- coalesce 11y ago
  This is completely incorrect. Watson Analytics is a dumbed down version SPSS with a web interface.
  - nl 11y ago
    Is it? I've been to Cognos presentations where they show the same functionality in both Watson Analytics and Cognos. Maybe they have merged some SPSS functionality as well?
DyslexicAtheist 11y ago
Something doesn't feel right about Watson. I had arguments from people who wanted me to feed motivation (cover) letters from job applicants into Watson to determine "cultural fit". IMO these technologies are way over-hyped for now and we are walking down a very dangerous path, because marketing pushes into this direction and the technology is far from ready. To prove my point I tried to feed Joseph Mengele, Stalin & Bin Laden writings into Watson to see how he evaluates the data. As expected Watson had some "great things" to say about these characters. Another feeling I get is that when we read info about ourselves in this context it's like reading a horoscope. People read 2 things that are true (but vague) and the 3rd thing may not be true but they shrug it off as "oh I didn't know this about myself yet ... I'll have to monitor myself in future to see if this is right". We are prone to be "open" to such statements as long as they sound like a positive trait. But is it true? So in that sense the machine learning might fool us into thinking we remove bias (but we can not remove bias like this). I honestly think that this technology should come with a warning label because people who have no idea about how the data is being prepared or analysed will interpret the output verbatim and take it face value. Here is the link: http://blog.valbonne-consulting.com/2015/06/13/using-big-data-to-analyse-your-personality-and-character/ http://blog.valbonne-consulting.com/2015/06/13/using-big-dat...
- rfreytag 11y ago
  Yes, as we become removed from the reasoning, let alone the information behind a recommendation, also removed is the opportunity for critical review of recommendations. Your horoscope comparison is apt. Just look at the concerns about self-delusion and data shopping being raised in peer-reviewed science: (text): http://www.vox.com/2015/8/27/9216383/irreproducibility-research http://www.vox.com/2015/8/27/9216383/irreproducibility-resea... (audio): http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/01/15/463237871/episode-677-the-experiment-experiment http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/01/15/463237871/episo... Clearly, there will need to be better automation, wide understanding, and improvements of techniques for producing more reliable results with machine learning. For example, the common standard of 2 sigmas for publishable resuls ought to be increased to 3 sigmas at least. I'm not suggesting the 6 sigmas used at the LHC but 2 (1:20) seems insufficient.
- coalesce 11y ago
  Although your comments are valid, I want to point out the distinction between Watson and Watson Analytics. Watson is IBM's cognitive engine, while Watson Analytics is a dumbed down version of SPSS. They are different products. The thread article refers (poorly) to Watson Analytics and you're referring to Watson.
- deleted 11y ago
  [deleted]

12 points by rfreytag 11y ago

nl 11y ago

Watson Analytics is basically a cloud hosted version of IBM Cognos with a pretty interface and some natural language parsing. The Watson brandname encompass IBM's Machine Learning and "Big Data" offerings. It doesn't really have a huge amount to do with Watson-the-Jeopardy winner apart from the name.

coalesce 11y ago
This is completely incorrect. Watson Analytics is a dumbed down version SPSS with a web interface.
- nl 11y ago
  Is it? I've been to Cognos presentations where they show the same functionality in both Watson Analytics and Cognos. Maybe they have merged some SPSS functionality as well?

DyslexicAtheist 11y ago

Something doesn't feel right about Watson. I had arguments from people who wanted me to feed motivation (cover) letters from job applicants into Watson to determine "cultural fit". IMO these technologies are way over-hyped for now and we are walking down a very dangerous path, because marketing pushes into this direction and the technology is far from ready. To prove my point I tried to feed Joseph Mengele, Stalin & Bin Laden writings into Watson to see how he evaluates the data. As expected Watson had some "great things" to say about these characters. Another feeling I get is that when we read info about ourselves in this context it's like reading a horoscope. People read 2 things that are true (but vague) and the 3rd thing may not be true but they shrug it off as "oh I didn't know this about myself yet ... I'll have to monitor myself in future to see if this is right". We are prone to be "open" to such statements as long as they sound like a positive trait. But is it true? So in that sense the machine learning might fool us into thinking we remove bias (but we can not remove bias like this). I honestly think that this technology should come with a warning label because people who have no idea about how the data is being prepared or analysed will interpret the output verbatim and take it face value. Here is the link: http://blog.valbonne-consulting.com/2015/06/13/using-big-data-to-analyse-your-personality-and-character/ http://blog.valbonne-consulting.com/2015/06/13/using-big-dat...

rfreytag 11y ago
Yes, as we become removed from the reasoning, let alone the information behind a recommendation, also removed is the opportunity for critical review of recommendations. Your horoscope comparison is apt. Just look at the concerns about self-delusion and data shopping being raised in peer-reviewed science: (text): http://www.vox.com/2015/8/27/9216383/irreproducibility-research http://www.vox.com/2015/8/27/9216383/irreproducibility-resea... (audio): http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/01/15/463237871/episode-677-the-experiment-experiment http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/01/15/463237871/episo... Clearly, there will need to be better automation, wide understanding, and improvements of techniques for producing more reliable results with machine learning. For example, the common standard of 2 sigmas for publishable resuls ought to be increased to 3 sigmas at least. I'm not suggesting the 6 sigmas used at the LHC but 2 (1:20) seems insufficient.
coalesce 11y ago
Although your comments are valid, I want to point out the distinction between Watson and Watson Analytics. Watson is IBM's cognitive engine, while Watson Analytics is a dumbed down version of SPSS. They are different products. The thread article refers (poorly) to Watson Analytics and you're referring to Watson.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]