In Smart Machines: IBM’s Watson and the Era of Cognitive Computing, John E. Kelley III and Steve Hamm explore the emerging era of cognitive computing and devote all of Chapter 7 to a product of their collaborative imagine, what they characterize as “The Cognitive City.” I agree with them that cities are (or at least can be) tremendous engines of innovation. “The urban center is where the dreamers, planners, engineers, builders, social activists, and artists congregate.”

As Kelley and Hamm explain, “in the new era of computing, we believe that technology will help people not only create a scientific theory of cities but act on it. City leaders and residents alike will be able to harness technologies to better understand how their cities work — and why they don’t work better. And they’ll be able to use that knowledge to make cities more convenient, and more economically vibrant.”

It is impossible to exaggerate the potential value and impact of cognitive systems. Their nature is limited only to what the human mind can imagine. Their effectiveness is limited only to the limit of how well humans and computers can work together, in alliance.

Kelley and Hamm acknowledge that serious challenges have begun to emerge at the dawn of cognitive systems. “We know that big shifts are coming but it’s impossible to fully imagine, now, the impact they will have on computing, business, and society.

“But this we do know: by working in concert, humans and cognitive systems have the potential to dramatically improve and accelerate outcomes that matter to us and to make life on earth more sustainable. This alliances of human and machine offers the promise of progress on a massive scale.”

What is the single greatest barrier to fulfilling that promise? In my opinion, it is cultural incompatibility. Unfortunately, Pogo’s memorable insight remains true: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”