Innovative machine learning methods and tools transform spreadsheets into Cognitive models.

KTP Associate: Alex Komninos

Company: IBM

University: University of York

About the Project: IBM is a global cloud platform and cognitive solutions company, which has continually evolved over the past century to remain at the forefront of technological innovation. 

The aim of this KTP is to implement model-based & machine learning methods and tools to enable transformation from Financial & Operational Performance Management spreadsheets into Cognitive models; and provide guidance for IBM consultants working with spreadsheets & Cognitive models in solving their clients’ problems. 

About the KTP Associate, Alex Komninos

• The project has delivered results well ahead of schedule resulting in increased company investment of development resources to accelerate the time to market, and demonstrating the huge value IBM places on the commercial potential of this project. 
• The “MVP” (Minimum Viable Product) has gone into production within two years. In addition, four patents have been filed in the UK and US, with Alex being named as an inventor on all of them, a testimony to the level of innovation he has achieved. 
• In addition to the above, Alex has represented the project at externally facing events.
• Alex worked hard at the beginning of the project to build an understanding of the problem domain – how planning and analysis problems are solved through a spreadsheet, and how these same problems can be solved in a superior way through IBM Planning Analytics.
• Alex has taken ownership of the Artificial Intelligence side of the project. In many ways, this aspect of the project is the most technically challenging, requiring the application of a variety of techniques to solve very open-ended problems. The solution space is very large, and selecting the correct techniques is not obvious. Alex has demonstrated immense technical leadership here, driving the project forward with innovative solutions, but always with an eye on pragmatism. 

Winners of this category will be announced in advance of the KTP Virtual Awards Ceremony which is at 4-5pm on Wednesday 9 September. Join us in our virtual world to celebrate all the winners – register here.

See below for a profile of each of the 18 finalists in the Future Innovator category of this year’s KTP Best of the Best Awards:

Muddasar Anwar  Delivering innovation for Sustainable Drainage System to prevent flooding.

Blessing Mbipom Creating online learning for GPs.

Laurence Foster: Innovations to “print” structures, transforming house building.

Declan Bryans: Creating greener energy with innovations in flow batteries.

Elle Perschke: Applying B2C methodologies to launch a new product within a B2B company.

Mark Gilmore: Development of new class of greener ionic liquid, with multiple potential applications.

Khai Nguyen: Inventing a new silicone composite for consumer fixing brand, Sugru.

Swapnil Khadke: Creating new liposome formulations for application in drug delivery

Leona McGirr: Creating an Antibody Library for fully human antibodies.

Dan Hicks: Developing a new design and testing process for electric trails bikes.

Dmitry Bogachov: Advancing Materials Science for Anilox technology.

Andrew Grounds: Transforming business models for Social Enterprise.

Lyndsey McKirdy: Enhancing data science capability at Aggreko.

Jack Tallant: Transforming reporting and delivery of Charity’s activities.

Xi Liu: Using AI to develop fraud detection and prevention services for law firm.

Alex Komninos: Transforming spreadsheets in to cognitive models at IBM

Harvey Kangley: Delivering exceptional NPD for rail electrification

George Harris: Developing advanced engineering for intruder detection systems.

The Future Innovator category of the KTP Awards is supported by Ashorne Hill – a specialist training company which runs training programmes for all KTP Associates.

Want to find out more about working as a KTP Associate? More information here, and see the latest vacancies here.