Thoughts on Agentic AI & IBM TechXchange 2024
Frank La Vigne
AI and Quantum Engineer with a deep passion to use technology to make the world a better place. Published author, podcaster, blogger, and live streamer.
In recent months, there's been a growing buzz around agentic AI—an exciting new frontier in artificial intelligence. While the concept is still avant-garde, its potential to reshape industries cannot be understated. I’ve been keeping an eye on the developments and recently had the chance to dive into some discussions at the IBM Tech Exchange 2024 conference, which is being held in sunny Las Vegas. Here are some of my reflections on where things are heading in the AI world, particularly around agentic AI and quantum computing.
The Rise of Agentic AI
Agentic AI refers to autonomous agents—pieces of AI that perform tasks independently and can interact with the environment or other agents. What makes agentic AI different from typical AI solutions is its autonomy, self-driven decision-making, and the ability to perform tasks on behalf of a “prime” or user.
At the Tech Exchange conference, it’s clear that agentic AI is more than just a passing trend. We’re seeing the early stages of this technology, which promises to transform how businesses automate processes and respond to real-time data. Think of agents as autonomous workers that don't require constant supervision, enabling organizations to run more efficiently and at scale. However, there’s still a lot to uncover regarding its real-world impact and adoption timeline. I believe we’ll soon see businesses start to productize this technology, but it’s early days.
What Makes Agentic AI Special?
From my exploration, I’ve come up with three key attributes that define agentic AI:
As generative AI evolves, these autonomous agents will not only become more capable of handling tasks but also excel at processing natural language and working collaboratively across systems. This opens the door to a whole new realm of possibilities—everything from autonomous customer service reps to advanced operational workflows.
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IBM Tech Exchange 2024: A Focus on the Future
The IBM Tech Exchange is a fantastic showcase of where the industry is headed, especially around AI and automation. This year, IBM launched Granite 3.0, a new version of their open-source large language model (LLM), alongside key advancements in agentic AI. The company also emphasized how critical agents will become in AI applications, from automating complex enterprise processes to providing more intelligent customer interactions.
The energy at this conference reflects the industry’s optimism about the transformative potential of these technologies. It’s clear that enterprises are focused on leveraging AI for greater automation—particularly in creating more agile, autonomous systems.
Looking Ahead: The Business Impact
Agentic AI isn’t just an interesting research topic—it’s a technology that could disrupt multiple industries in the coming years. Companies are beginning to productize these agents, which will enable faster decision-making, more efficient workflows, and enhanced productivity.
However, with this innovation comes the challenge of governance. As we build more autonomous systems, ensuring that they remain secure, reliable, and ethical will be crucial. The potential for agentic AI is vast, but organizations will need strong guardrails to manage its adoption effectively.
Final Thoughts
The development of agentic AI and the integration of quantum computing into AI workflows represent the next great leap in tech innovation. As someone who loves exploring the latest in AI and data science, I’m excited to see how these trends will shape the future of work and business.
For those of you who are as intrigued as I am, let’s keep the conversation going. What are your thoughts on the future of agentic AI? How do you see this evolving in your industry? Feel free to reach out or share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you’d like to chat more in-depth, I’d love to connect!