The powerful combination of Al and loT technology is helping companies to avoid unplanned downtime, increase operating efficiency, enable new products and services, and enhance risk management (Deloitte, 2017). Industry analysts predict that by 2022, more than 80 per cent of enterprise loT projects will include an Al component, compared to only 10 per cent in 2017 (Gartner, 2017). For instance, the application of predictive and "real-time" machine learning solutions can help businesses to fine-tune product quality, automate heavy processes, reduce energy costs, uncover price elasticity, reduce churn, improve the impact of marketing campaigns, and deliver a personalized shopping experience. Industry analysts estimate that machine learning can reduce supply chain forecasting errors by between 20 per cent and 50 per cent and reduce lost sales by up to 65 per cent, with better product availability (McKinsey, 2017a).