Video: SC16 Keynote Katharine Frase on Cognitive Computing

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Katherine Frase

Katherine Frase

In this video from SC16, Katharine Frase gives the keynote entitled “Cognitive Computing: How can we accelerate human decision making, creativity and innovation using techniques from Watson and beyond?

“Watson and cognitive computing in general can serve significantly in every single arena in which we grapple with multi-layered, data-intensive problems: how to best treat cancers; how to adapt to conditions brought about by climate change; how to quickly and effectively harness new kinds of sustainable energy; how to untangle intractable governmental or community development challenges,” Frase stated. “Now more than ever, visionary thinking will drive an endless and transformative array of applications for Watson and cognitive computing in general, along with whatever comes next.”

According to Frase, cognitive computing is about a new relationship between systems and humans, one in which higher-level thinking, research and decision making results from systems that learn, and systems that can give advice. She further added that cognitive computing has crossed the threshold of a new era; one in which we get to not just revel in the facts of processing power and increased computing capacity and capability, but also unleash that transformational power on some of the most complex and multidimensional problems faced by humanity.

Watson and cognitive computing in general can serve significantly in every single arena in which we grapple with multi-layered, data-intensive problems: how to best treat cancers; how to adapt to conditions brought about by climate change; how to quickly and effectively harness new kinds of sustainable energy; how to untangle intractable governmental or community development challenges,” Frase stated. “Now more than ever, visionary thinking will drive an endless and transformative array of applications for Watson and cognitive computing in general, along with whatever comes next.”

Frase served as Chief Technology Officer of Public Sector and Vice President of Public Sector at International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) from March 2013 to September 2015. In that role , she provided thought leadership for IBM and its customers on innovation and strategic transformation specific to government; education; life sciences; healthcare and cities; and driving the creation of new solutions. Since October 2015, she has led the strategy and business development for IBM’s Watson Education unit, providing transformative solutions to improve student outcomes and support instructors across the education spectrum. Prior to this role, she served as Vice President of Industry Solutions Research, working across IBM Research on behalf of IBM clients, to create transformational industry-focused solutions, including the application of IBM Watson technologies to business applications and the realization of Smarter Planet solutions. Earlier roles included technical and business strategy for IBM’s software business, corporate assignments on technology assessment and strategy, and roles in IBM Microelectronics in the management of process development, design/modeling methodology and production of chip carriers, assemblies and test. In 2006, Frase was elected as a member of the (U.S.) National Academy of Engineering. Dr. Frase received an A.B. in chemistry from Bryn Mawr College and a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a member of the IBM Academy of Technology and sits on numerous external committees and boards.

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