IBM Allowing Access to Watson API Through the Cloud

IBM’s (News - Alert) Watson might have gained popularity by appearing on the game show Jeopardy, but the computer that is actually able to think and solve problems is going to be a lot more useful in the very near future. IBM announced late last week that it will be making the technology that makes Watson possible, available as a development platform in the cloud. This means that an entire generation of application developers will be able to put together apps that have the cognitive ability of Watson.

 While some might point to this sort of thing as something out of a science fiction movie like Terminator, the actual applications are far more useful and humane. Watson has already been used as something more than merely a trivia machine. The intuitive reasoning skills of the technology have been put to use for purposes such as coming up with better treatment of diseases such as cancer. More applications with the ability to do this kind of task only sounds like a positive.

 The Watson Developers Cloud is a marketplace that has been set up by IBM that will allow providers of various sizes and industries to tap into resources for developing programs that operate like Watson. In addition to basic tools, there is also a developer toolkit, educational materials and access to the program’s API.

 “By sharing IBM Watson's cognitive abilities with the world, we aim to fuel a new ecosystem that accelerates innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit," said Michael Rhodin, Senior Vice President, IBM Software Solutions Group in a recent release. "With this move, IBM is taking a bold step to advance the new era of cognitive computing. Together with our partners we'll spark a new class of applications that will learn from experience, improve with each interaction and outcome, and assist in solving the most complex questions facing the industry and society."

 Three business partners of IBM have already been working with the toolkit and have put together Watson-powered applications that are due to hit the market in 2014. Fluid Retail, MD Buyline and Welltok have all put together applications that will take advantage of Watson’s programming. Those three should be joined by dozens, if not hundreds of companies in the coming months.