In-Q-Tel and Algorithmia: The Widget Approach to Tasks

July 27, 2016

I noted “Algorithmia Lands In-Q-Tel Deal, Adds Deep Learning Capabilities.” Useful write up but one important facet of the deal was omitted from the news item. The trend in some government projects is to have a “open” set of software. The idea of running a query for a needed widget on an ecommerce site hath its charms. The goal is cost reduction and reducing the time required to modify an existing software system. This is the idea behind the DCGS (Distributed Common Ground System) widget approach. The issue I have with brokering algorithms is that most of the algorithms which look like rocket science are actually textbook examples or variations on well known themes. Search and content processing chugs along on 10 methods. When a novel solution becomes available like this insight into Carmichael numbers appears, years may pass before the method can be verified and inserted into the usable methods folder. Now those doing the searching have to know what an algorithm actually does and what settings are required for the numerical recipe to generate an edible croissant. That human knowledge thing is an issue.

Stephen E Arnold, July 27, 2016

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