Bengaluru, August 8, 2016: Microsoft India today inaugurated the first edition of Machine Learning & Data Sciences (ML&DS) Conference in India. This two-day conference is aimed at exploring the tremendous possibilities with Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence and Open Source technologies to enable a rich set of platforms, intelligent apps, services and experiences to accelerate economic growth, empower people and drive real impact. The conference will host 600 participants, including data scientists, students, developers, government elites, start-ups, cricketers and Microsoft experts, who will share new insights and showcase powerful solutions that are driving digital transformation for organizations and communities in India and worldwide.
Joseph Sirosh – Corporate Vice President – Data Group, Microsoft speaking at the Microsoft Showcase for Machine Learning and Data Sciences in Bengaluru.
Demonstrating the wide-ranging possibilities of data analytics, Microsoft also unveiled an Azure Machine Learning based approach for calculating target scores in weather-interrupted T20 cricket matches. It uses machine learning, applies advanced analytics to past data and existing mathematical formulation to derive the outcome. The approach is now available as a Jupyter notebook in Microsoft's Cortana Intelligence Gallery for software developers to build on and improve using existing data across multiple areas such as playing conditions, weather and cricket grounds.
From Right – Shamya Dasgupta – Senior Editor, Wisden India; Aakash Chopra – former Indian cricketer; Meetul Patel – General Manager, Microsoft India; Javagal Srinath – former Indian cricketer and Joseph Sirosh – Corporate Vice President – Data Group, Microsoft at the Microsoft Showcase for Machine Learning and Data Sciences in Sports at Bengaluru. The showcase discussed the growing impact of technology on sports and the role Microsoft's Machine Learning can play in accurately calculating target scores in weather-interrupted T20 cricket matches. It also discussed possibilities of how Machine Learning can transform sports management and administration including monitoring health condition on the field, predicting injuries and taking pre-emptive action.
Machine Learning is one of Microsoft's key focus areas and one in which the company is making significant inroads, both in terms of research and development breakthroughs as well as translating the outcome of its work into real customer impact. To boost the state's education ecosystem, Microsoft is working with the Government of Andhra Pradesh on a machine learning based model to analyze and predict drop outs and take preventive action. It has engaged with L. V. Prasad Eye Institute to build a predictive model that helps predict regression rates for eye operations, enabling doctors to pinpoint the procedures needed to prevent and treat visual impairments. To aid digital agriculture in Andhra Pradesh, Microsoft has partnered with ICRISAT to provide powerful cloud-based predictive analytics to empower farmers with crucial information and insights to help reduce crop failures and increase yield, in turn, reducing stress and generating better income.
The first day of the conference will feature an overnight hackathon for students and early-stage developers to build cool, intelligent applications that take advantage of Microsoft Cognitive Services. Top participants will get a unique opportunity to pitch their ideas to top Indian VCs, faculty and Microsoft executives. In addition to the hackathon, the event will also feature demo booths showcasing the exciting capabilities of Microsoft Machine Learning platform and Application program interface (APIs) powered solutions in the field of healthcare, education, agriculture, and how start-ups and businesses are using it to drive transformation and create opportunities. Over the course of the two days, the conference will feature over 30 technical sessions, tutorials, demos and more that will showcase Microsoft's innovation in this field.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") Microsoft is the leading platform and productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft set up its India operations in 1990. Today, Microsoft entities in India have over 7,000 employees engaged in sales and marketing, research and development, and customer services and support across ten cities – Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.