I’m a futurist and I love contemplating the benefits that technology will bring. With a passion for numbers, I discovered that machine learning is a field in mathematics that is well suited for commercialisation. This discovery put me firmly on a path to commercialise the technology and to become a driving force for its future! A future that I’m eagerly shaping…
It wasn’t long until I began to see an even greater potential for the technology, but what also became clear was that there were limitations in how quickly it was being adopted.
Now, thanks to my experience in commercialising the technology, I’m beginning to understand how to overcome these limitations. The solution in my mind hangs on awareness and conversation.
Once the capabilities, purpose and goals of machine learning are understood by the general public, I believe there will be a huge increase in the investment that is already being applied to machine learning. This is really exciting as it will pave the development of next generation machine learning algorithms, which will be nothing short of mind-blowing.
So, how do we increase awareness and conversation around machine learning? Well, I believe the key is something I call the law of analytical adoption (LAA). The LAA is something I’ve seen played out time and time again and, in my mind, if we are not aware of it when we are adopting a technology, there is only disappointment. The LAA:
Stage 1: Data is generated and captured
Stage 2: Data is analysed
Stage 3: Data is intelligently generated and captured
Stage 4: Data is optimally analysed and can be used to make value
This is how it works:
Initially we’ll invest into generating/collecting as much data as possible. Stage 1. Then we’ll adopt technology ‘x’. Inevitably we’ll end up coming to the general conclusion: The data we’ve generated/collected is not of high enough quality. Stage 2. We’ll then further invest into generating/collecting data, guided by the limitations and strengths of technology ‘x’. Stage 3. Technology ‘x’ works optimally, and it brings its maximum potential ROI. Stage 4. It’s important that you start soon but it’s just as important that you know where to start
This journey must be taken by every client and every employee. A discussion that will be needed to be had around tables. A journey that is necessary to not fall behind on. I can see start-ups popping up or evolving to help large organisations through the process too.
Personally I was not aware of this law when I first got into industry but now that I am, it’s changing the way I code and think.
I’m building algorithms at Interlate to handle this problem directly. I Imagine a world where a self-guided algorithm gets turned on during first commission of an asset and it’s initially focused on bringing stability and then it begins to intelligently explore the potential solution space as a means of generating high-quality data. These are algorithms that move directly into Stage 3 in the LAA and overcome many of the traditional steady-state limitations. As a result, not only does the process gain an immediate benefit of stability but the resulting optimisation that later follows is of maximised value.
Awareness and conversation of the LAA will first happen in organisations and that responsibility and hard work will benefit all of our lives, day-to-day. We’ll be moving even faster to the future… the one which I’m eager for!