Software systems that update their parameters, rules, or routing logic automatically as new operational data is logged.

Promoted in strategy presentations to sound like a self-evolving living organism that adapts to market changes. It implies continuous synthetic evolution, when in practice it's software running automated schedule re-calibrations against preset performance thresholds.

• Evolutionary Metaphors: Comparing basic rule recalibration and weight updates to biological adaptation.
• The Unstable Loop Risk: Automated rule changes creating unpredictable system behavior that requires developer intervention.
• Over-Promised Evolution: Claiming software "adapts to market trends" when it simply recalculates weekly averages.

Jurassic Park (1990s) scene where Dr. Ian Malcolm gestures with his water glass, explaining chaos theory and how biological systems unpredictably "find a way" to break through human control boundaries.

Software that adjusts its settings or recommendations based on new performance data.

“Embedding adaptive intelligence ensures your enterprise software continuously responds to shifting market conditions.”

“Our delivery tool automatically adjusts estimated arrival times as new traffic data comes in.”