At its annual THINK conference, IBM unveiled significant updates to its watsonx platform, marking a year since its launch. The enhancements and new data and automation capabilities aim to make AI more accessible, cost-effective, and versatile for businesses.
"We firmly believe in bringing open innovation to AI. We want to use the power of open source to do with AI what was successfully done with Linux and OpenShift. Open means choice. Open means more eyes on the code, more minds on the problems, and more hands on the solutions. For any technology to gain velocity and become ubiquitous, you've got to balance three things: competition, innovation, and safety. Open source is a great way to achieve all three," said Arvind Krishna, CEO, IBM.
A highlight of the event was the release of IBM's Granite models into open source and the introduction of InstructLab, developed in collaboration with Red Hat. By open-sourcing the advanced Granite language and code models, IBM invites global developers and experts to extend these capabilities further.
Available under Apache 2.0 licenses on platforms like Hugging Face and GitHub, these models range from 3B to 34B parameters and excel in tasks such as code generation, bug fixing, and application modernization. IBM’s tests show Granite models outperforming larger open-source counterparts across various programming languages.
InstructLab introduces a novel approach to developing language models, allowing for continuous improvements through community contributions. This methodology lets businesses tailor models to their specific needs, ensuring direct value from AI. IBM plans to integrate these contributions into watsonx.ai and the new Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) solution, simplifying AI deployment across hybrid environments.
Watsonx assistant updates
IBM also revealed new enhancements to its watsonx assistants. Notable updates include watsonx Code Assistant for Enterprise Java Applications, slated for October 2024, and watsonx Assistant for Z, available in June 2024. These tools aim to streamline interactions with systems and provide detailed code explanations, respectively. IBM is expanding its NVIDIA GPU offerings and support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI and OpenShift AI to meet the demands of AI and mission-critical workloads.
Boosting IT management
IBM’s new AI-powered automation tools promise to transform IT management. With the upcoming IBM Concert, available in June 2024, enterprises will benefit from generative AI-driven insights, enabling predictive automation and proactive issue resolution. Concert integrates with existing systems to provide a comprehensive view of applications, helping teams address potential problems swiftly.
Expanding its ecosystem
In expanding its ecosystem, IBM is incorporating third-party models into watsonx, partnering with major technology firms to enhance AI capabilities. Some of the collaborations include:
AWS: Integration of Amazon SageMaker with watsonx.governance for advanced AI governance.
Adobe: Combining Red Hat OpenShift and watsonx with Adobe Experience Platform, and introducing consulting services for Adobe Express.
Meta: Adding Meta’s Llama 3 model to watsonx to drive innovation.
Salesforce: Plans to integrate IBM Granite models with Salesforce Einstein 1 platform for AI-driven CRM.
SAP: Collaboration to accelerate cloud adoption and leverage generative AI in SAP solutions.
