Computing resource allocation based on query response analysis in a networked computing environment

A system for confidence-based computing resource allocation in a networked computing environment, comprising:

• a memory medium comprising instructions;
• a bus coupled to the memory medium;
• and
• a processor coupled to the bus that when executing the instructions causes the system to:
• receive a deep question and answer (DeepQA) natural language query from a querying user into a computer storage medium;
• perform a search of one or more databases based on the query to identify a response to the query;
• determine a confidence level associated with the response based on at least one of the following:
• a speed with which the response is identified, an amount of computing resources utilized to identify the response, a quantity of the one or more databases accessed to identify the response, or historical data associated with previous queries submitted by the querying user;
• compare the confidence level to a predetermined threshold;
• responsive to the confidence level not meeting the predetermined threshold, allocate an additional amount of computing resources to the search;
• and
• send the response to the querying user when the confidence level meets the predetermined threshold.

A computer program product for confidence-based computing resource allocation in a networked computing environment, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage media, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage media, to:

• receive a deep question and answer (DeepQA) natural language query from a querying user into a computer storage medium;
• perform a search of one or more databases based on the query to identify a response to the query;
• determine a confidence level associated with the response based on at least one of the following:
• a speed with which the response is identified, an amount of computing resources utilized to identify the response, a quantity of the one or more databases accessed to identify the response, or historical data associated with previous queries submitted by the querying user;
• compare the confidence level to a predetermined threshold;
• responsive to the confidence level not meeting the predetermined threshold, allocate an additional amount of computing resources to the search;
• and
• send the response to the querying user when the confidence level meets the predetermined threshold.

A method for deploying a system for confidence-based computing resource allocation in a networked computing environment, comprising:

• providing a computer infrastructure being operable to:
• receive a deep question and answer (DeepQA) natural language query from a querying user into a computer storage medium;
• perform a search of one or more databases based on the query to identify a response to the query;
• determine a confidence level associated with the response based on at least one of the following:
• a speed with which the response is identified, an amount of computing resources utilized to identify the response, a quantity of the one or more databases accessed to identify the response, or historical data associated with previous queries submitted by the querying user;
• compare the confidence level to a predetermined threshold;
• responsive to the confidence level not meeting the predetermined threshold, allocate an additional amount of computing resources to the search;
• and
• send the response to the querying user when the confidence level meets the predetermined threshold.