Most analytical systems comb through masses of knowledge in a systematic but narrow way to deduce conclusions. Their logic is similar to that of a census form: if you get a "yes" for a, move on to c, etc.

Webmind, on the other hand, can compare ideas and even generate new ones, in a way that resembles human thinking processes. This enables Webmind-powered applications to turn raw information into knowledge, and to work with that knowledge (and even refine its own processes) to continuously improve its efficacy.

WebMind is a proprietary, patent-pending Artificial Intelligence (AI) architecture developed by Dr. Ben Goertzel, a major figure in the cognitive science and artificial intelligence communities, who continues to supervise Webmind research and development as CTO of this company.

While features of AI, such as expert systems and Bayesian networks, have previously been used to add analytic or operative strength to business applications, Webmind is a complete and organic AI structure, out of which applications are developed.

The Webmind architecture uses Java objects called "nodes" and "links," distributed via the Internet over a powerful network of servers. Nodes represent basic patterns of information -- some about the Webmind system itself, others about the outside world. The links that connect these nodes enable Webmind to compare ideas via guided (but essentially free) association that allows for subtle and sophisticated judgments -- some of which amount to entirely new ideas, which are then represented in the system by new nodes or links.

In short, Webmind not only processes information, as other systems might, but makes connections that exponentially increase the usefulness of that information -- to a degree that can be called truly intelligent. Its immediate utility for businesses includes the disintermediation of functions now practiced by human analysts, superior accuracy of analytic judgments, and the streamlining of e-commerce and information management operations now performed in a more limited fashion by less intelligent technologies.