Welcome to Part 2 of our discussion on IBM's AI evolution titled, the 'Road to watsonx'. Host Jerry Cuomo is joined again by Bill Higgins, as they pick up from where they left off in the first episode.

Bill shares insights on the creation of watsonx, revealing IBM's strategic shift towards generative AI, collaboration with Red Hat, and leveraging IBM Research technology and open-source.

Jerry and Bill also offer insights into IBM's key partnerships and alliances, notably the collaboration with Hugging Face, a pivotal player in the open-source AI community. Bill shares his personal experiences that helped shape IBM's partnership strategy and how these collaborations are shaping the future of AI.

Additionally, listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the AI Alliance initiative initialed by IBM and Meta, focusing on promoting open-source AI technologies while prioritizing safety and inclusivity. Bill discusses the impact of these initiatives on the AI industry and how they align with Ihis vision for the future of technology.

This two part series offers a unique blend of history, personal stories, and forward-looking perspectives in AI. Listen in for an intriguing and thought-provoking conversation that's not just about technology, but also about the people and culture driving it forward.

Key Takeaways:

1. Watsonx's Central Role: Highlighting watsonx as a critical component in IBM's strategy, marking a new phase in the company's AI and hybrid cloud ventures.
2. IBM-Hugging Face Collaboration: Examining the strategic partnership between IBM and Hugging Face, emphasizing its impact on enhancing IBM's AI capabilities through open-source collaboration.
3. The AI Alliance Initiative: A look at IBM's leadership in the AI Alliance, focusing on the promotion of open-source AI technologies and the importance of safety and inclusivity.
4. Strategic Partnerships in AI: Discussing IBM's approach to integrating various AI technologies and models, underscoring the importance of diverse partnerships for technological growth.
5. IBM's Vision for AI's Future: Reflecting on IBM's commitment to driving AI innovation through collaborative efforts, shaping the future landscape of AI technology.

Additional Resources:

• Darío Gil's keynote at THINK 2023 on the IBM Research Blog. This presentation covers generative AI and the launch of Watsonx, offering a glimpse into IBM's AI strategies. Visit the blog for more details: IBM Research Blog - Darío Gil Keynote.
• Hugging Face announced their partnership with IBM on watsonx.ai, a venture blending open-source AI and enterprise solutions. Details at Hugging Face Blog.
• Meta and IBM have initiated the AI Alliance, uniting over 50 entities, including Intel and Oracle, to advocate for an open AI model, aiming to explore and advance trustworthy AI technologies. For in-depth coverage, see the full article at The Wall Street Journal."

* Coverart was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2 by OpenAI.** Music for the podcast created by Mind The Gap Band - Cox, Cuomo, Haberkorn, Martin, Mosakowski, and Rodriguez