Intelligent Machine-Based Training

Computer systems can be programmed to react based on user behavior. For example, to facilitate learning a foreign language, researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed Fluency: Automatic Foreign Language Pronunciation Training software that can interpret pronunciations and provide feedback on how we pronounce a word and how to correct the pronunciations.

Figure 6 Language training software

© Copyright 2002 Language Technology Institute, Carnegie Mellon University Reprinted with Permission. (Note: This software has a patent pending and has been licensed through the CMU Tech Transfer Office exclusively to the Carnegie Speech Company, a spin-off of Carnegie Mellon University.)

Interactive Learning

Music composer and inventor Tod Machover at the MIT Media Lab and Media Lab Europe started Toy Symphony, an international music performance and education project aimed at introducing children to new ways to make music. The project involves using Music Toys to engage children in listening, performing, and music-composing tasks. Children can play along with some of the world's most accomplished musicians who are participating in this project.

Below is an image of one of the toys. Read about what it does.

Figure 7 Beatbug music toy

© Copyright 2002-2003 MIT Media Lab Reprinted with permission.

In Business Supply Chain Management

Supply chain management aims to manage and track the supply of raw components, their usage in the manufacturing process, and delivery of finished products to customers. Some supply chain management software applications use mathematical algorithms to improve the flow of the supply chain and minimize inventory. You can read more about Supply Chain Management.

Project Management

Product development information, which includes product requirements, work schedules, project milestones, budgets, and product design need to be organized and tracked to monitor the progress of the project. Software applications are capable of keeping track of the product database, work schedule, and budget of the project to help you pinpoint potential barriers to the timely completion of the project. You can see some project management software system demos provided by Microsoft (requires Macromedia Flash Player and Microsoft Internet Explorer).

Customer Relationship Management

Customer relationship management (CRM) is a process that gathers information about the customer base, marketing effectiveness, and market trends in order to learn more about customers' behaviors. A CRM software system can collect information about customer demographics, and investigate customer-purchasing behaviors with the objective of predicting customer needs and increasing revenues.

A CRM system may involve the use of an "Intelligent Agent," which is a program that collects information about a user's behavior, and customizes the content on a website accordingly. For example, when you go to Amazon.com, the site can generate a personalized page for you that contain advertisements of products that may interest you based on your purchasing history. If you had bought a novel in the Harry Potter children's fiction series, then your Amazon page may advertise other Harry Potter volumes or other books about adolescent adventure that you have not purchased.

You can learn more about CRM by reading some CRM Case Studies.