Adjusting Fact-Based Answers to Consider Outcomes

Abstract

A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for adjusting fact-based answers provided by a question/answer (QA) system. A user submits a question to the QA system, where it is categorized into a question type. The QA system then processes the question to generate an answer. The QA system then generates an answer adjustment if it is determined that the question type and answer meet a predicted undesirable outcome. The answer adjustment may include a warning, a disclaimer, a recommendation, an alternative fact-based answer, a referral to an assistance service, or any combination thereof.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 a processor;   a data bus coupled to the processor; and   a computer-usable medium embodying computer program code, the computer-usable medium being coupled to the data bus, the computer program code used for adjusting answers to a question asked of a question/answer (QA) system and comprising instructions executable by the processor and configured for:
 receiving a question as user input from a user, the question received by the QA system; 
 categorizing the question into a question type; 
 processing the question to generate an answer; and 
 generating an answer adjustment if it is determined that the question type and the answer correspond to a potentially undesirable outcome criteria. 
   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the answer adjustment is at least one member of the set of:
 a warning;   a disclaimer;   an alternative answer   an assistance service;   a recommendation; and   a referral to an assistance service.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the QA system is trained to identify a question that might lead to an undesirable outcome. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the method of the training is selected from a group consisting of:
 manual;   automated; and   learning.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the answer and the answer adjustment are provided to the user. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising generating and retaining a time-stamped record comprising:
 the question;   the answer;   the answer adjustment; and   identification information associated with the user.   
     
     
         13 . A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium embodying computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer executable instructions configured for:
 receiving a question as user input from a user, the question received by the QA system;   categorizing the question into a question type;   processing the question to generate an answer; and   generating an answer adjustment if it is determined that the question type and the answer correspond to a potentially undesirable outcome criteria.   
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the answer adjustment is at least one member of the set of:
 a warning;   a disclaimer;   an alternative answer   an assistance service;   a recommendation; and   a referral to an assistance service.   
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the QA system is trained to identify a question that might lead to an undesirable outcome. 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of  claim 15 , wherein the method of the training is selected from a group consisting of:
 manual;   automated; and   learning.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the answer and the answer adjustment are provided to the user. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , further comprising generating and retaining a time-stamped record comprising:
 the question;   the answer;   the answer adjustment; and   identification information associated with the user.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the computer executable instructions are deployable to a client system from a server system at a remote location. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium of  claim 13 , wherein the computer executable instructions are provided by a service provider to a user on an on-demand basis.