HCLTech and IBM Collaboration: In a demonstration of the growing significance of AI in the tech sector, HCLTech has revealed its intention to train 10,000 of its staff on IBM’s watsonx AI and data platform. This joint effort with IBM aims to establish a Generative AI Center of Excellence (GenAI CoE) to enhance legacy applications, develop IT service management use cases, and foster ongoing innovation.
This collaboration underscores the commitment to promoting responsible generative AI solutions, as stated by Stephen Smith, General Manager of Service Partners at IBM Ecosystem. The partnership will enable clients to explore and implement generative AI solutions tailored to their specific business needs. Through the AI and Cloud Native Labs in Noida, London, New Jersey, and Santa Clara, HCLTech’s EVP, Alan Flower, views this collaboration as an opportunity to enhance their offerings by leveraging IBM’s cutting-edge technology.
This strategic move by HCLTech aligns with the industry-wide trend of upskilling the workforce to meet the demands of the AI era, where AI centers are becoming increasingly prevalent.
The necessity for upskilling is not exclusive to technology companies. Organizations across different sectors are racing to ensure that their employees are ready for a future driven by AI.
The emergence of the Chief AI Officer (CAIO) role is a clear indication of this shift. NASA recently appointed its first-ever CAIO, David Salvagnini, to lead the agency’s AI initiatives. This highlights the recognition of AI as a distinct entity, as traditionally, AI was under the purview of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs).
This trend is also evident in the private sector, with companies like Dell and Levi’s creating CAIO positions to provide dedicated oversight and guidance in leveraging AI capabilities.
Salesforce, a major tech company, is also making significant progress in this direction. The company recently announced the establishment of its first-ever ‘AI Center’ in London. This center aims to foster collaboration among industry experts, partners, and customers, and provide critical upskilling opportunities to ensure the UK workforce is equipped with the skills needed for AI-related roles.
AI’s impact on the workforce goes beyond the creation of new roles. It is also fundamentally changing existing jobs across various sectors.
Recognizing this, a consortium of leading tech companies, including IBM, Google, Microsoft, and others, has formed to address the impact of AI on the technology workforce. Their goal is to provide actionable insights and identify new opportunities for reskilling and upskilling.
HCLTech’s initiative closely aligns with the efforts of this consortium. By training 10,000 employees on IBM’s watsonx platform, HCLTech is not only enhancing its own capabilities but also contributing to the broader industry effort to create an AI-ready workforce.
The company’s GenAI CoE will offer clients access to education and training resources covering diverse AI technologies, reflecting the consortium’s aim to recommend training programs that can benefit multiple stakeholders.
As AI continues to reshape the tech landscape, initiatives like HCLTech’s collaboration with IBM are becoming more common. These efforts highlight the dual challenge facing the tech industry: developing cutting-edge AI technologies while simultaneously ensuring that the workforce has the skills to leverage these tools effectively.
