JMP Securities Conference - The Value of Algorithms

In this session at the JMP Securities Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Dr. Michael Housman, Chief Science Officer and Co-Founder of RapportBoost.AI, discusses the true value of algorithms in delivering meaningful business outcomes—and why algorithms alone are rarely the source of competitive advantage.

Housman emphasizes that while algorithms are important, they are best understood as enablers rather than solutions. Off-the-shelf models and even advanced techniques such as deep learning are increasingly commoditized. What differentiates successful AI implementations is not algorithmic novelty, but how those algorithms are applied within a well-defined problem space tied directly to outcomes.

He argues that algorithms only create value when they are embedded in a broader system that includes high-quality data, clear success metrics, and continuous feedback loops. Without this context, even highly sophisticated models risk producing insights that are accurate but irrelevant—or impressive in theory yet useless in practice.

Drawing on RapportBoost.AI’s work in conversational commerce, Housman explains that the most impactful algorithms are those designed to support human decision-making, not replace it. Models should surface guidance, test hypotheses, and learn from human responses, creating a virtuous cycle between prediction and action.

The discussion concludes with a pragmatic takeaway: organizations should evaluate algorithms based on their ability to drive measurable behavioral change and business impact. In applied AI, success is not defined by model accuracy alone, but by whether the algorithm helps people and systems consistently make better decisions.