New TDWI Research Report Explores Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics

SEATTLE, WA, Oct. 30, 2017 -- TDWI Research has released its newest Best Practices Report, Advanced Analytics: Moving Toward AI, Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing—three once-theoretical technologies now becoming real thanks to algorithmic and hardware innovations. This original, survey-based report looks at these technologies and discusses emerging best practices, enabling technologies, and real-world use cases.

The leading feature among those surveyed is that nearly half (43%) claim to be already using one of these technologies, while a similar number (42%) say they have plans to. That leaves only a slim 15% who don’t see artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), or natural language processing (NLP) in their futures.

Fern Halper, vice president and senior director of TDWI Research for advanced analytics, points out, though, that many of survey respondents planning to implement these technologies simply find what they have in place today is inadequate. “In fact,” she says “67% of [this] investigating group are not satisfied with their company’s current analytics program and are planning for these newer technologies.” Many of the use cases they seek to address are fairly traditional, but they still intend to tackle them with these newer technologies.

The report also delves into the tools that organizations are using to undertake their advanced analytics initiatives, including open source software packages. As is somewhat typical these days, R and Python ranked high on the list (second and third, respectively) of how important a given technology is. As one respondent stated, “It is easier to find people who know open source rather than commercial tools.”

Specific attention is paid in the report to the 43% who are currently using one or more of these technologies—referred to as the “early adopters”—from whom a number of lessons can be learned. For example, three-quarters of respondents are using machine learning, half are using NLP, and roughly 15% are using AI.

Report Highlights

This comprehensive report reveals:

• The two most common use cases for early adoption of ML, AI, and/or NLP are operations (58%) and marketing (53%)
• For the early adopters, only half (51%) have data platforms that actually support such advanced analytics efforts
• For those among the 15% with no plans to use these technologies, lack of support, lack of budget, and lack of skills were the top three reasons named

Halper concludes with a variety of suggestions and best practices that can guide user organizations through the successful implementation of advanced analytics programs, including investigating tools and platforms, and looking at the cultural needs for successful ML, AI, and NLP programs.

This research was sponsored by SAS, ThoughtSpot, and Vertica.

• Download the report
• Watch the webinar on-demand

About the Author

Fern Halper, Ph.D., is vice president and senior director of TDWI Research for advanced analytics. She is well known in the analytics community, having been published hundreds of times on data mining and information technology over the past 20 years. Halper is also coauthor of several Dummies books on cloud computing and big data. She focuses on advanced analytics, including predictive analytics, text and social media analysis, machine learning, AI, cognitive computing and big data analytics approaches. She has been a partner at industry analyst firm Hurwitz & Associates and a lead data analyst for Bell Labs. Her Ph.D. is from Texas A&M University. You can reach her by email ([email protected]), on Twitter (twitter.com/fhalper), and on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/fbhalper).

About TDWI

For 20 years, TDWI has provided individuals and teams with a comprehensive portfolio of business and technical education and research about all things data. TDWI’s in-depth, best-practices-based knowledge can be quickly applied to develop world-class talent across your organization’s business and IT functions to enhance analytical, data-driven decision making. TDWI offers six major conferences as well as topical seminars, onsite education, membership, certification, live webinars, resource-filled publications, industry news, and in-depth research. See tdwi.org or follow us on Twitter @TDWI.

About 1105 Media

1105 Media, Inc., is a leading provider of integrated information and media in targeted business-to-business markets, including specialized sectors of the information technology community; industrial health, safety, and compliance; security; environmental protection; and home healthcare. 1105's offerings span print and online magazines, journals, and newsletters; seminars, conferences, and trade shows; training courseware; and web-based services. 1105 Media is based in Chatsworth, California, with offices throughout the U.S. 

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Lindsay Walter
TDWI
425.277.9162
[email protected]