Explaining Cognitive Computing Through the Information Systems Lens

TL;DR

This paper clarifies the concept of cognitive computing within information systems, using phenomenological analysis to guide future research and highlight IS's potential contributions to this emerging field.

Contribution

It provides a scientific classification of cognitive computing in IS and discusses how IS can contribute to developing design science artifacts in this area.

Findings

Identifies the lack of a clear definition of COC in IS

Uses thematic analysis to classify COC research

Suggests future research directions for IS in COC

Abstract

Cognitive computing (COC) aims to embed human cognition into computerized models. However, there is no scientific classification that delineates the nature of Cognitive Computing. Unlike the medical and computer science fields, Information Systems (IS) has conducted very little research on COC. Although the potential to make important research contributions in this area is great, we argue that the lack of a cohesive interpretation of what constitutes COC has led to inferior COC research in IS. Therefore, we need first to clearly identify COC as a phenomenon to be able to identify and guide prospective research areas in IS. In this research, a phenomenological approach is adopted using thematic analysis to the published literature in COC research. Then, we discuss how IS may contribute to the development of design science artifacts under the COC umbrella. In addition, the paper raises important questions for future research by highlighting how IS researchers could make meaningful contributions to this emerging topic.