Ask HN: Where is AI/ML actually adding value at your company?

Re:Ask HN: Where is AI/ML actually adding value at your comp... by AndrewKemendo on Monday December 12, 2016 @01:22PM (#13160378)

The value added isn't in the use of ML techniques itself, it's in the hype train that fills the Valley these days: our customers see "Data Science product" and don't get that it's really basic predictive analytics under the hood. I'm not sure the product would actually sell as well as it does without that labeling.

So you are misleading your customers through omission? This is the kind of thing that makes people question anyone stating they are using ML. Those of us actually implementing ML techniques (aka training neural nets and automating processes with data) are met with unnecessary skepticism as a result.

edit: OP clarified his position since this post so take that into account when reading.

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Re:Ask HN: Where is AI/ML actually adding value at your comp... by sidlls on Monday December 12, 2016 @01:27PM (#13160435)

No, we actually use ML. We just don't need to, in my opinion, because the problems our products solve are more or less solvable without these techniques.

My point was that using ML, even though we don't need to, "adds value" by virtue of the hype train. We need ML to sell products, not to create them.

I do agree that this sort of arrangement lends itself to supporting skepticism around AI and ML. On the other hand I don't think that's a bad thing.

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Re:Ask HN: Where is AI/ML actually adding value at your comp... by AndrewKemendo on Monday December 12, 2016 @01:32PM (#13160481)

Got it. Thanks for the clarification. It is true that people are using ML where other, simpler options are available, but I wouldn't immediate discount the value of using nets for your problem. I don't know enough about your problem/implementation to speak to it really.

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Re:Ask HN: Where is AI/ML actually adding value at your comp... by sidlls on Monday December 12, 2016 @01:40PM (#13160576)

Yes, thanks for highlighting the deficiency in my original post. I can see it is easily interpretated as you did. I added a clarification (or what I hope is one).

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Re:Ask HN: Where is AI/ML actually adding value at your comp... by lbhnact on Monday December 12, 2016 @04:49PM (#13162242)

I know a few companies riding the ml/nn train. Any chance you are based in NYC?

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Re:Ask HN: Where is AI/ML actually adding value at your comp... by sidlls on Monday December 12, 2016 @06:54PM (#13163242)

No, in the bay area. The hype is strong here.

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