Don't underestimate the risk of "algorithims and data" replacing a brain and a pair of hands, says NetScout
Visibility more important than ever, argues monitoring firm
Machine learning is set to be a continuingly important trend in 2017, and this is leading to intensified discussions around what kind of world will emerge as more and more processes become automated beyond direct human control.
"The risk of depending on algorithms and data to accomplish what used to require a brain and a pair of hands is what happens when something goes wrong," said Ron Lifton, enterprise solutions marketing manager at NetScout, writing on the company's blog.
"Production snags can be one consequence, but so can lost revenue and damaged brand image."
Lifton points out that a Forrester report cited the average cost of application failure in the US in 2015 was between $500,000 and $1m, with inefficient fixes costing $11m for one company.
"So while yes, algorithms and data can save massively on production costs, application and service performance disruptions can be remarkably expensive too," reasoned Lifton.
Lifton's belief is that as increased use of machine learning - and an increased complexity of the infrastructure supporting it - comes into play, reliance on that infrastructure is going to become more and more important.
"Service disruption simply can't be tolerated when it comes to work and personal activities. Businesses and their leaders must manage this digital transformation so as to reduce risk while enabling innovation. It is essential to note that algorithms and data aren't created equal when it comes to direct impact on people's personal and work lives," he said.
The "key to success", Lifton concludes, is "visibility", which he argues is often lacking in many current IT networks.
"If IT visibility restrictions are removed, through smarter data and superior analytics, then it is possible to accelerate digital transformation. And in this new digital world, where disruptions are very costly, businesses are mandating exceptional service performance by harnessing IP intelligence," he concludes.