IBM Tech Now: IBM & Salesforce, custom foundation models on watsonx.ai, and Mixture of Experts

In the latest episode of IBM Tech Now, IBM and Salesforce announced an enhanced partnership that will introduce pre-built AI agents and tools, integrating Salesforce’s Agent Force with IBM’s Watson X to improve productivity and compliance. Additionally, Watson X will feature a new open framework allowing users to deploy custom foundational models, while the episode also introduced a new podcast, “A Mixture of Experts,” focusing on AI innovations and trends.

In a recent episode of IBM Tech Now, significant news emerged from Dreamforce regarding the enhanced collaboration between IBM and Salesforce. The two companies are set to elevate their longstanding partnership by introducing pre-built AI agents and tools that can be integrated into various IT environments. This collaboration combines Salesforce’s Agent Force, a suite of autonomous agents, with IBM’s Watson X capabilities, enabling users to leverage their unique data while maintaining control over their systems. The integration aims to enhance productivity, security, and regulatory compliance, allowing users to interact with these agents through platforms like Slack.

IBM’s Watson X is also receiving a notable update, introducing an open framework that provides users with access to a catalog of built-in models and patterns. This new feature allows for a “bring your own model” capability, enabling users to upload and deploy their custom foundational models across software and SaaS environments. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for organizations looking to tailor AI solutions to meet specific generative AI use cases and technical tasks, all while utilizing the platform’s enterprise-ready governance features.

The custom foundation model approach offers organizations greater control over their AI implementations, allowing them to select and utilize the most appropriate models for their needs. By deploying these custom models within Watson X, users can ensure that their AI solutions are closely aligned with their data, thereby reducing risk exposure. This capability is especially advantageous for enterprises that prioritize data security and compliance.

In addition to the collaboration news, the episode highlighted a new IBM podcast titled “A Mixture of Experts.” This weekly podcast serves as a recap of the latest innovations, trends, and news in the AI sector. Hosted by Tim Wang, the podcast features a rotating panel of AI experts who provide insights and analysis on current industry developments. Recent discussions included topics such as Apple intelligence, the performance of the Reflection 70B model, and IBM’s soft launch of the B Agent framework for building agentic workflows.

Overall, the episode of IBM Tech Now provided valuable insights into the evolving landscape of AI through the lens of IBM and Salesforce’s partnership, the advancements in Watson X, and the introduction of the “A Mixture of Experts” podcast. Viewers are encouraged to explore the links provided in the video description for more information on these topics and to subscribe to the channel for ongoing updates in technology.