Can IBM Watson Discovery Serve as a QA Solution?

When considering the use of IBM Watson Discovery as a Question and Answer (QA) service, it is important to understand its capabilities and limitations. While it excels in document indexing and searching, it may not fully substitute traditional QA services, but it can certainly enhance them. This article will explore how Watson Discovery can be utilized to complement and augment a QA service, providing a more comprehensive approach to resolving user queries.

Understanding Watson Discovery

Watson Discovery is an AI-driven platform that specializes in indexing and searching through vast amounts of text data. It is equipped with advanced natural language processing (NLP) capabilities, allowing users to pose complex queries in natural language. The platform's primary function is to retrieve relevant information from documents, making it a valuable tool for research, analysis, and data exploration.

Complementary Capabilities

While Watson Discovery shines in its ability to process and retrieve information from documents, it is not designed to provide direct answers to specific questions. Instead, it serves more as a powerful backend engine that can support a broader range of functionalities, including:

Contextual Understanding: Watson Discovery can understand the context of a query, providing relevant documents that may contain the needed information. Long-Tail Queries: It can handle long-tail queries that may not be straightforward, providing more nuanced and detailed search results. Document Curation: The platform can curate documents based on user preferences and historical search patterns, offering a personalized search experience.

Integrating Watson Discovery with Chat Bots

One of the most effective ways to leverage Watson Discovery as a QA service is by integrating it with chat bots. Chat bots serve as the front-end interface, interacting directly with users and addressing their queries. If a chat bot is unable to provide a direct answer, it can seamlessly redirect the query to Watson Discovery for more detailed and contextual information. This integration creates a robust solution where:

Immediate Answers: Users receive quick and direct answers when available. Extended Support: For more complex or nuanced questions, Watson Discovery provides additional support with relevant documents. User Satisfaction: Users benefit from a more comprehensive and personalized assistance, leading to higher satisfaction levels.

Potential Use Cases for Watson Discovery as a QA Service

Watson Discovery can be applied in various industries and scenarios where detailed information retrieval is crucial. Some potential use cases include:

Healthcare: Providing doctors with access to a wealth of medical literature and studies. Legal: Offering lawyers access to comprehensive legal documents and case studies. Finance: Supporting financial analysts and researchers with access to market reports and financial analyses. Customer Support: Enhancing customer service by offering detailed solutions and information to common and complex queries.

Conclusion

Watson Discovery can indeed serve as a valuable component in a QA service, especially when integrated with chat bots. Its strengths in natural language processing and document retrieval make it an excellent backend tool for augmenting traditional QA solutions. By leveraging its capabilities, organizations can provide users with more comprehensive and contextually relevant information, leading to increased user satisfaction and more efficient information management.

References

IBM Watson Discovery Official Website IBM Watson Discovery Use Cases IBM Watson Discovery - How It Works