Watson

FEATURE: From false fire alarms to litter to life-and-death health diagnosis, data analytics combined with cognitive systems are delivering better policy outcomes. But leadership inside government is the key.

Cognitive computing can “think like a human”, but how does it work and what does it mean for government services?

Deep analysis of Twitter data will help Melbourne’s emergency management, as IBM brings in a team and celebrity-computer Watson to make the city’s services more efficient.

2015 will be remembered as the year cognitive computing came to the Australian Public Service. Its potential for government agencies is huge and growing, according to the Asia-Pacific head of IBM’s Watson project.