$1 billion investment for cloud-based cognitive applications and services by IBM has been announced.

U.S.-based computer giant IBM says it plans to invest more than $1 billion into a group focused on research and development of cloud-based cognitive applications and services for business.

The new Watson Group will be headquartered in New York City's technology hub, near East Village, with more than 2,000 professionals who will design, develop and support the spread of the so-called cognitive computing technology.


What is IBM Watson?

IBM Watson: A System Designed for Answers

Watson is a cognitive computing system designed for complex analytics, made possible by integrating massively parallel POWER® processors and DeepQA technology.

As businesses put Watson to work for smarter analytics solutions, each new challenge will be different, combining established analytics solutions with new technologies like DeepQA, and domain knowledge contributed by experts in specific industries.

For the first time, IBM will open up Watson as a development platform in the Cloud to spur innovation and fuel a new ecosystem of entrepreneurial software app providers who will bring forward a new generation of applications infused with Watson's cognitive computing intelligence.

IBM offers a single source for developers to conceive and produce their Powered by Watson applications.

Watson Developer Cloud
Will offer the technology, tools and APIs to ISVs for self-service training, development, and testing of their cognitive application. The Developer Cloud is expected to help jump-start and accelerate creation of Powered by IBM Watson applications.

Watson Content Store
Will bring together unique and varying sources of data, including general knowledge, industry specific content, and subject matter expertise to inform, educate, and help create an actionable experience for the user. The store is intended to be a clearinghouse of information presenting a unique opportunity for content providers to engage a new channel and bring their data to life in a whole new way.

Watson Talent Hub
Staffing and talent organizations with access to in-demand skills like linguistics, natural language processing, machine learning, user experience design, and analytics will help bridge any skill gaps to facilitate the delivery of cognitive applications. These talent hubs and their respective agents are expected to work directly with members of the Ecosystem on a fee or project basis.

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