• by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, December 5, 2014

What happens when an app learns from doing? We call that artificial intelligence or machine learning. Aside from analytics and traditional search engines that personalize the experience, several apps have begun to take on those characteristics. Microsoft, for one, has integrated Bing Image Search into its Office presentation app Sway, the company announced Thursday. While the feature allows users to search for images and add them to their Sways without leaving the app, it also improves the app's machine learning and intelligence features. In 2014, the industry began to see this intelligence in predictive analysis such as the technology behind Bing's Super Bowl or presidential election predictions. In 2015, we will see it in apps.

In 2014, the industry began to see this intelligence in predictive analysts such as the technology behind Bing's Super Bowl or presidential election predictions. In 2015, we will see it in apps. The applications will learn and adapt to real-time need and allocate resources based on demand, preferences, and patterns.

Some industry watchers wrote off Microsoft as an clumsy dinosaur that was unable to quickly change direction. That perception will change in 2015 through functions like suggested search that expands features, so Sway can act not only as a digital design assistant, but content-gathering assistant as well. Using machine learning, Sway will become an even more personalized content creation assistant: learning preferences and anticipating needs, per Microsoft.