Home > Articles > Cisco Network Technology > General Networking > The Rise of Intelligent Agents: Automated Conversion of Data to Information

The Rise of Intelligent Agents: Automated Conversion of Data to Information

  • Article is provided courtesy of Cisco Press.
  • Date: Apr 2, 2004.

Contents

  1. The Rise of Intelligent Agents: Automated Conversion of Data to Information

Article Description

Business process virtualization (BPV) enables a rapid response to change, from variations in business workloads to strategic shifts in your business, markets or customers. This article emphasizes the application of automation and intelligent networked technologies to improve business efficiency, reduce costs and improve the dynamics of employee/customer interaction.

Business process virtualization (BPV) is fundamentally about the application of automation and intelligent networked technologies to improve business efficiency, reduce costs and improve the dynamics of employee/customer interaction. Additionally, though, it is about the application of information to the decision-making processes of the enterprise.

As we have discussed in previous publications, information is not the same as data. Analysis through paralysis, where the quality of decision-making is thought to be proportional to the amount of data inserted into the decision-making process, is the logical consequence of a failure to distinguish between the two. BPV application, with its dependence on decision modeling techniques, provides tools for reducing data to information. These are largely management approaches to analysis, but there are also increasingly automated tools for building and simulating decisions.

Of course, it would be ideal if there were technologies that could automatically generate decision models in response to rational questions. In such an approach, one would ask a computer to independently collect and analyze data, draw conclusions and present the results. In such an approach, one could, for example, ask a computer terminal to search all internal company sources and externally reachable sources for information on a specified competitor, its products and its potential threat to the business in a particular market. Within minutes, a neat two-page summary would be delivered with appropriate footnoting. Better yet, one could ask the computer how it arrived at its synopsis and receive cogent replies.

Such technology has been of abiding interest for some time. The HAL 9000 computer of 2001 fame is perhaps the most famous example of fictional approaches to such technology; however, Star Trek's library computer is another example that has received a lot of attention over the years. In fact, such fictional approaches are so well known that it frequently comes as a surprise to people who are unfamiliar with real technology that such machine-based intelligence is not available.

It turns out that a so-called intelligent agent is difficult to achieve because computers, unlike humans, have no ability to infer context from the data that they are presented. Where humans can usually be counted on to figure out conversational dialogue when spoken in a language familiar to them, this task is very difficult for a computer. Humans, it appears, have the ability to bring a lifetime of experience to a pronouncement and arrive at a good approximation of the intent of the pronouncement. Computers, at least so far, have had only rudimentary capabilities along these lines. Computers generally achieve some semblance of context assessment through a series of rather sophisticated if-then rules. This brute force method is time consuming and requires large quantities of storage.

In Stephen Cass' article, A Fountain of Knowledge, appearing in IEEE Spectrum online (http://www.spectrum.ieee.org), he discusses IBM's activities in developing just such a computing agent. This concept, named WebFountain, is currently a plethora of rack mounted processors, routers and over 160 terabytes of disk space consuming a footprint the size of half a football field. Looking back at the evolution of computers, the original computers were, in fact, the size of football fields, housed in climatically controlled environments and processed information very slowly relative to today's handheld computers. Over the past three decades, computer functionality has increased, the size of computers has decreased and the processing speed has skyrocketed. Recognizing this evolution, it is not unreasonable to assume that IBM and its peers will soon have a computing device of reasonable size that is highly capable of taking all data available on the Internet and reducing it to actionable information.

Undoubtedly such approaches will work progressively more effectively as Moore's law inexorably reduces the cost of a processing cycle and cost of a bit of storage. With the current rate of progression, Nova Amber feels fairly confident in claiming that reasonably good externally provided context independent agents will be generally available within the next two to five years. Such agents will be assigned only low-level analysis to begin with, but as the bugs are worked out, increasingly sophisticated tasks will be relegated to such automation. And, if there are some fundamental breakthroughs in software or machine intelligence, then the results could be dramatically better much faster.

The implications are staggering. Currently large portions of overhead are relegated to collecting, analyzing and acting on data. When agents can collect, analyze and present data as a consolidated information package, even within specified levels of uncertainty, then decisions will be accelerated tremendously. Further, when such intelligence can be embedded in the business process itself, then the network can become an intelligent fabric that not only manages the flow of data, but also manages the flow of information within a company.

Currently, several institutions are working on context engines to drive such intelligent agents. Notably, MIT has been at this for a number of years and has made some impressive strides. Others, such as Ray Kurzweil of Kurzweil Technologies, confidently predict the rise of such technology in the very near future and are actively exploring the implications of such approaches.

Enterprises should expect such technology to become available within five to ten years and should be planning their network and automated infrastructure to take advantage of it. An example would be planning a network with sufficient bandwidth to transport the kind of data loads such agents will generate. Additionally, these intelligence engines will likely be based on a grid-computing infrastructure so that complex analysis tasks can tap additional resources as required. Consequently, a cogent plan for deploying and managing such distributed computing infrastructures will be essential. And, of course, security for such intelligence is critical.

Nova Amber believes that the rise of true machine based intelligence is the next critical quantum leap for computer technology. It has been asserted that software has not kept up with hardware, consequently, no one is buying new computers: after all, the old ones still work acceptably. Nova Amber believes that, in fact, the problem is that hardware has yet to deliver the kinds of computing power that will enable brute force machine intelligence. We have the software, but we need cheap computing power to make it go. Within a short period of time, we will have the computing power at the right price point. Then, the information age will truly have begun.

Martha Young has more than nineteen years of experience in the technology market and is a partner in Nova Amber, LLC, a consulting firm. Martha is the co-author of The Case for Virtual Business Processes, published by Cisco Press. She can be reached at info@novaamber.com.

Michael Jude, Ph.D. is a well-known industry analyst with more than twenty years of experience in telecommunications and management automation. Michael is the co-author of The Case for Virtual Business Processes, published by Cisco Press.

Cisco Press Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from Cisco Press and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview

Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about Cisco Press products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information

To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites; develop new products and services; conduct educational research; and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@ciscopress.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information

Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security

Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children

This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing

Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information

If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out

Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by Cisco Press. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.ciscopress.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information

Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents

California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure

Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links

This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact

Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice

We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020