Abstract: A mechanism is provided in a question answering system for categorizing questions. The mechanism clusters documents from a corpus of documents to form a nested structure of clusters of documents. The mechanism records questions answered by question answering system in a database in association with answers returned and answer confidence values. The mechanism maps the questions to the nested structure of clusters of documents to form a nested structure of clusters of questions. The mechanism presents recommended questions based on the nested structure of clusters of questions in a user interface of the question answering system.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided, in a first computing device, for sharing content of communication sessions. The mechanisms establish a first communication session between the first computing device and a second computing device. The first computing device is operated by a first user and the second computing device is operated by a second user. The apparatus establishes, in response to content of the first communication session indicating subject matter for which additional information is desired by at least one of the first user or the second user, a second communication session between the first computing device and a question and answer (QA) system. In response to an input by the first user requesting sharing of information, the first computing device automatically copies a portion of content of the first communication session to the second communication session as an input question submitted to the QA system.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects include managing data for a Question and Answering (QA) system. Aspects include a set of questions being received by the QA system. In response to receiving the set of questions, a first confidence score for a first answer to a first question of the set of questions is determined. Aspects include determining the first confidence score meets a threshold confidence score. In response to the first confidence score meeting the threshold confidence score, the QA system stores the first question and the first answer for future presentation use as an aid in formulating a second query.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects include managing data for a Question and Answering (QA) system. Aspects include a set of questions being received by the QA system. In response to receiving the set of questions, a first confidence score for a first answer to a first question of the set of questions is determined. Aspects include determining the first confidence score meets a threshold confidence score. In response to the first confidence score meeting the threshold confidence score, the QA system stores the first question and the first answer for future presentation use as an aid in formulating a second query.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for modifying an operation of a question answering (QA) system. An input question is received and processed to generate at least one query to be applied to a corpus of information. The at least one query is applied to the corpus of information to generate candidate answers to the input question from which a final answer is selected for output. A training engine modifies, using a machine learning technique that compares the final answer to a known correct answer for the input question, at least one of logic or configuration parameters of the QA system for at least one of the processing of the input question to generate the at least one query, applying of the at least one query to the corpus of information to generate the candidate answers, or the selecting of the final answer from the candidate answers.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for generating an output of confidence score for candidate answers of an input question. The mechanisms, implemented in a data processing system configured to answer an input question receive candidate answer information comprising confidence scores associated with candidate answers for the input question. The mechanisms categorize, for each candidate answer in the candidate answer information, the corresponding confidence score into one of a plurality of confidence score categories. For each candidate answer in the candidate answer information, a graphical representation of the confidence score category of the candidate answer is generated. A graphical user interface output comprising an entry for each candidate answer in the candidate answer information is generated where each entry comprises the corresponding graphical representation of the confidence score category of the candidate answer corresponding to the entry.

Abstract: A method for providing content relevant images for an input question to a deep question answering system is disclosed. The method can include formulating, in response to receiving the input question, an answer to the input question. The method can also include identifying, based on the answer to the input question, a set of candidate images from a corpus of information. The set of candidate images may relate to the answer. The method can also include determining, based on a confidence value of the set of candidate images and a designated display specification, a first subset of the set of candidate images to provide in a display area. The method can also include selecting the first subset to be provided in the display area.

Abstract: A method for providing content relevant images for an input question to a deep question answering system is disclosed. The method can include formulating, in response to receiving the input question, an answer to the input question. The method can also include identifying, based on the answer to the input question, a set of candidate images from a corpus of information. The set of candidate images may relate to the answer. The method can also include determining, based on a confidence value of the set of candidate images and a designated display specification, a first subset of the set of candidate images to provide in a display area. The method can also include selecting the first subset to be provided in the display area.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for generating an output of confidence score for candidate answers of an input question. The mechanisms, implemented in a data processing system configured to answer an input question receive candidate answer information comprising confidence scores associated with candidate answers for the input question. The mechanisms categorize, for each candidate answer in the candidate answer information, the corresponding confidence score into one of a plurality of confidence score categories. For each candidate answer in the candidate answer information, a graphical representation of the confidence score category of the candidate answer is generated. A graphical user interface output comprising an entry for each candidate answer in the candidate answer information is generated where each entry comprises the corresponding graphical representation of the confidence score category of the candidate answer corresponding to the entry.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for answering questions about at least one previous execution of a question answering (QA) system on a previous input question. An input question is received that is directed to a previous execution of a QA system with regard to a previous input question. The input question is processed to generate at least one query for application to a corpus of information, which comprises information about the QA system and the previous execution of the QA system on the previous input question. The at least one query is applied to the corpus of information to generate candidate answers to the input question which are ranked according to confidence measure values associated with the candidate answers. A final answer for the input question is output based on the ranking of the candidate answers.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided, in a first computing device, for sharing content of communication sessions. The mechanisms establish a first communication session between the first computing device and a second computing device. The first computing device is operated by a first user and the second computing device is operated by a second user. The apparatus establishes, in response to content of the first communication session indicating subject matter for which additional information is desired by at least one of the first user or the second user, a second communication session between the first computing device and a question and answer (QA) system. In response to an input by the first user requesting sharing of information, the first computing device automatically copies a portion of content of the first communication session to the second communication session as an input question submitted to the QA system.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for answering questions about at least one previous execution of a question answering (QA) system on a previous input question. An input question is received that is directed to a previous execution of a QA system with regard to a previous input question. The input question is processed to generate at least one query for application to a corpus of information, which comprises information about the QA system and the previous execution of the QA system on the previous input question. The at least one query is applied to the corpus of information to generate candidate answers to the input question which are ranked according to confidence measure values associated with the candidate answers. A final answer for the input question is output based on the ranking of the candidate answers.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for modifying an operation of a question answering (QA) system. An input question is received and processed to generate at least one query to be applied to a corpus of information. The at least one query is applied to the corpus of information to generate candidate answers to the input question from which a final answer is selected for output. A training engine modifies, using a machine learning technique that compares the final answer to a known correct answer for the input question, at least one of logic or configuration parameters of the QA system for at least one of the processing of the input question to generate the at least one query, applying of the at least one query to the corpus of information to generate the candidate answers, or the selecting of the final answer from the candidate answers.