With capabilities in natural language processing to dynamic learning, to even beating Jeopardy contestants, Watson is IBM’s latest in cognitive technology. The UGBA 198 class with Professor Darwin, BerkeleyHaas and Professor Don Wroblewski, UC Berkeley’s College of Engineering, was among the first to access Watson; to build a compilation of information, and develop innovative applications. Throughout the Fall 2014 Semester, Apollo Hospitals provided data to help the class develop four high-quality business plans: KiP, Dr. Watson, Patent Fox, and Health Note. On December 12th, the select group of both business and engineering students presented their final presentations to IBM judges, which included: Jim Spohrer, Lisa Schrumpf, Suzanne Lema, Keith Mercier, and Dima Rekesh. Officers from other sectors were also represented including Don Wroblewski and Jean Paul Jacob from UC Berkeley Engineering, Dharmesh Dubey from Johnson & Johnson, Mohi Ahmed from Fujitsu, Steve Myers from UnitedHealthcare, and Karl Mochel from GE.
Amongst the four competitive models, Patent Fox took the win. Executives praised its ability to remain impartial amongst competitors to reduce patent services cost, and to efficiently process patents and filing services, all while allowing clients to focus on innovation. Patent Fox advanced as UC Berkeley’s representatives to the nationwide final rounds in New York to compete for a cash prize of $100,000 and IBM Watson Ecosystem partnership. Patent Fox placed third at the IBM Watson finals on January 9, after the judges lauded the undergrads for creating an app that would help protect intellectual property from patent infringement and litigation. Haas student Vi Tran, BS 15, deemed it a rewarding experience and says the team is determined to pursue their company further with help from the IBM global entrepreneurship program, which offers access to startup resources.
Read more about IBM Watson course on the Garwoood Blog & BerkeleyHaas News.
