TL;DR:
- IBM and AWS are expanding their partnership to boost generative AI solutions.
- IBM Consulting aims to train 10,000 consultants in generative AI on AWS by the end of 2024.
- Enhanced generative AI capabilities will be integrated into specific solutions like Contact Center Modernization, Platform Services on AWS, and Supply Chain Ensemble.
- IBM Consulting will integrate AWS generative AI services into its IBM Consulting Cloud Accelerator for cloud transformation.
- IBM’s commitment includes making watsonx.data available on AWS and plans for watsonx.ai and watsonx.governance by 2024.
- Bouygues Telecom is an example of a client benefiting from this collaboration.
Main AI News:
In a strategic move aimed at revolutionizing the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, IBM has unveiled an expanded partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This collaboration is set to empower mutual clients with the tools and expertise needed to unlock the full potential of generative AI. IBM Consulting, at the forefront of this venture, has set an ambitious target: to train 10,000 consultants in generative AI on AWS by the end of 2024. This monumental effort is poised to equip organizations with the knowledge and resources to implement generative AI seamlessly into their operations, thereby accelerating their business and IT transformation journey.
The amalgamation of IBM Consulting and AWS has already been instrumental in delivering AI-driven solutions across a diverse spectrum of industries. Now, with the infusion of generative AI capabilities, these offerings are set to be further refined and amplified. Here are the key highlights:
- Contact Center Modernization with Amazon Connect: Collaborating with AWS, IBM Consulting has harnessed the power of generative AI to enhance voice and digital interactions. This innovation facilitates seamless transitions between chatbots and live agents, providing agents with concise information that expedites issue resolution and elevates the quality of customer engagement.
- Platform Services on AWS: Originally introduced in November 2022, this offering has now been bolstered with generative AI capabilities. It empowers clients to optimize their cloud value chain by improving IT operations, automation, and platform engineering. The result is improved uptime and rapid issue resolution, allowing organizations to proactively address potential challenges.
- Supply Chain Ensemble on AWS: This upcoming offering will introduce a virtual assistant designed to augment the efforts of supply chain professionals. It promises to optimize inventories, reduce costs, streamline logistics, and assess supply chain risks, all with the goal of exceeding customer expectations.
For clients seeking to modernize on AWS, IBM Consulting is set to integrate AWS generative AI services into its proprietary IBM Consulting Cloud Accelerator. This strategic move will accelerate the cloud transformation process, offering capabilities in reverse engineering, code generation, and code conversion.
IBM’s commitment to nurturing expertise and expanding the integration of AWS on watsonx further demonstrates their dedication to this partnership. IBM has already demonstrated proficiency in leveraging AWS’s generative AI services, including Amazon SageMaker and Amazon CodeWhisperer. As one of the first AWS Partners to use Amazon Bedrock, they have made industry-leading foundation models accessible through an API, allowing clients to select the ideal model for their specific use cases.
To bolster client support, IBM Consulting is launching a comprehensive training program for its consultants, aiming to train and skill 10,000 of them on AWS generative AI services by the end of 2024. This initiative will provide consultants with in-depth knowledge, enabling them to engage with technical professionals and better serve clients as they innovate on the AWS platform.
In the words of Manish Goyal, Senior Partner, Global AI & Analytics Leader at IBM Consulting, “Enterprise clients are looking for expert help to build a strategy and develop generative AI use cases that can drive business value and transformation – while mitigating risks. Paired with IBM’s AI heritage and deep expertise in business transformation on AWS, this suite of re-engineered solutions with embedded generative AI capabilities can help our mutual clients to scale generative AI applications rapidly and responsibly on their platform of choice.”
Responding to the growing demand for generative AI capabilities on AWS, IBM is making watsonx.data available on AWS as a fully managed software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution. Clients can also access it via AWS Marketplace. Furthermore, IBM is planning to make watsonx.ai and watsonx.governance available on AWS by 2024, making it easier for clients to harness IBM’s data, AI, and security software on the AWS platform.
Chris Niederman, Managing Director, Global Systems Integrators at AWS, affirms the significance of this partnership, stating, “Our customers are increasingly looking for the technical support and AI expertise they need to build and implement a generative AI strategy that drives business value from their entire cloud value chain.”
The collaboration between IBM and AWS has already borne fruit, with clients like Bouygues Telecom benefiting from their combined expertise. This French communications service provider engaged IBM Consulting to bolster its cloud strategy and implement AI use cases at scale. The result has been a custom data and AI reference architecture that covers multiple cloud scenarios, allowing Bouygues Telecom to explore AI and data projects efficiently.
Matthieu Dupuis, Head of AI for Bouygues Telecom, attests to the value of this partnership, stating, “IBM Consulting and AWS have been invaluable partners in identifying the right model for our needs and overcoming these technological barriers.”
With a history spanning over 40 years of AI solutions and a multitude of AWS certifications, IBM is positioned as an AWS Premier Tier Services Partner. Their commitment to principled enterprise AI, with a focus on mitigating bias and ensuring data security, sets them apart. IBM Consulting’s approach, rooted in co-creation and powered by IBM Garage, is dedicated to scaling ideas into outcomes for clients.
As this partnership continues to evolve, it promises to unlock the full potential of generative AI at scale, providing clients with transformative solutions that drive business growth and innovation.
Conclusion:
The deepening partnership between IBM and AWS to enhance generative AI solutions signifies a significant shift in the market. It offers businesses the opportunity to rapidly adopt and scale AI applications while ensuring responsible and efficient integration. This strategic alliance aligns with the growing demand for AI expertise and services, further solidifying IBM and AWS as key players in the AI-driven transformation of industries across the globe.
