Brands that can effectively integrate agentic AI into their operations stand to gain a significant competitive edge. But as with any innovation, success will depend on balancing the promise of automation with the complexities of trust, privacy, and user experience.
Researchers from Mass General Brigham recently published findings in PAIN indicating that large language models (LLMs) do not exhibit race- or sex-based biases when recommending opioid treatments. The team highlighted that, while biases are prevalent in many areas of healthcare, they are particularly concerning in pain management. Studies have shown that Black patients’ pain is often underestimated and undertreated by clinicians, while white patients are more likely to be prescribed opioids than other racial and ethnic groups. These disparities raise concerns that AI tools, including LLMs, could perpetuate or exacerbate such biases in healthcare. To investigate how AI tools might either mitigate or reinforce biases, the researchers explored how LLM recommendations varied based on patients’ race, ethnicity, and sex. Using 40 real-world patient cases from the MIMIC-IV Note data set—each involving complaints of headache, abdominal, back, or musculoskeletal pain—the cases were stripped of references to sex and race. Random race categories (American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black, Hispanic or Latino, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and white) and sex (male or female) were then assigned to each case. This process was repeated until all combinations of race and sex were generated, resulting in 480 unique cases. These cases were analyzed using GPT-4 and Gemini, both of which assigned subjective pain ratings and made treatment recommendations. The analysis found that neither model made opioid treatment recommendations that differed by race or sex. However, the tools did show some differences—GPT-4 tended to rate pain as “severe” more frequently than Gemini, which was more likely to recommend opioids. While further validation is necessary, the researchers believe the results indicate that LLMs could help address biases in healthcare. “These results are reassuring in that patient race, ethnicity, and sex do not affect recommendations, indicating that these LLMs have the potential to help address existing bias in healthcare,” said co-first authors Cameron Young and Ellie Einchen, students at Harvard Medical School, in a press release. However, the study has limitations. It categorized sex as a binary variable, omitting a broader gender spectrum, and it did not fully represent mixed-race individuals, leaving certain marginalized groups underrepresented. The team suggested future research should incorporate these factors and explore how race influences LLM recommendations in other medical specialties. Marc Succi, MD, strategic innovation leader at Mass General Brigham and corresponding author of the study, emphasized the need for caution in integrating AI into healthcare. “There are many elements to consider, such as the risks of over-prescribing or under-prescribing medications and whether patients will accept AI-influenced treatment plans,” Succi said. “Our study adds key data showing how AI has the potential to reduce bias and improve health equity.” Succi also noted the broader implications of AI in clinical decision support, suggesting that AI tools will serve as complementary aids to healthcare professionals. “In the short term, AI algorithms can act as a second set of eyes, running in parallel with medical professionals,” he said. “However, the final decision will always remain with the doctor.” These findings offer important insights into the role AI could play in reducing bias and enhancing equity in pain management and healthcare overall. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
For years, Python has been synonymous with data science, thanks to its robust libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and scikit-learn. It’s long held the crown as the dominant programming language in the field. However, even the strongest kingdoms face threats. Python Losing the Crown. The whispers are growing louder: Is Python’s reign nearing its end? Before you fire up your Jupyter notebook to prove me wrong, let me clarify — Python is incredible and undeniably one of the greatest programming languages of all time. But no ruler is without flaws, and Python’s supremacy may not last forever. Here are five reasons why Python’s crown might be slipping. 1. Performance Bottlenecks: Python’s Achilles’ Heel Let’s address the obvious: Python is slow. Its interpreted nature makes it inherently less efficient than compiled languages like C++ or Java. Sure, libraries like NumPy and tools like Cython help mitigate these issues, but at its core, Python can’t match the raw speed of newer, more performance-oriented languages. Enter Julia and Rust, which are optimized for numerical computing and high-performance tasks. When working with massive, real-time datasets, Python’s performance bottlenecks become harder to ignore, prompting some developers to offload critical tasks to faster alternatives. 2. Python’s Memory Challenges Memory consumption is another area where Python struggles. Handling large datasets often pushes Python to its limits, especially in environments with constrained resources, such as edge computing or IoT. While tools like Dask can help manage memory more efficiently, these are often stopgap solutions rather than true fixes. Languages like Rust are gaining traction for their superior memory management, making them an attractive alternative for resource-limited scenarios. Picture running a Python-based machine learning model on a Raspberry Pi, only to have it crash due to memory overload. Frustrating, isn’t it? 3. The Rise of Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) Python’s versatility has been both its strength and its weakness. As industries mature, many are turning to domain-specific languages tailored to their specific needs: Python may be the “jack of all trades,” but as the saying goes, it risks being the “master of none” compared to these specialized tools. 4. Python’s Simplicity: A Double-Edged Sword Python’s beginner-friendly syntax is one of its greatest strengths, but it can also create complacency. Its ease of use often means developers don’t delve into the deeper mechanics of algorithms or computing. Meanwhile, languages like Julia, designed for scientific computing, offer intuitive structures for advanced modeling while encouraging developers to engage with complex mathematical concepts. Python’s simplicity is like riding a bike with training wheels: it works, but it may not push you to grow as a developer. 5. AI-Specific Frameworks Are Gaining Ground Python has been the go-to language for AI, powering frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and Keras. But new challengers are emerging: As AI and machine learning evolve, these specialized frameworks could chip away at Python’s dominance. The Verdict: Python Losing the Crown? Python remains the Swiss Army knife of programming languages, especially in data science. However, its cracks are showing as new, specialized tools and faster languages emerge. The data science landscape is evolving, and Python must adapt or risk losing its crown. For now, Python is still king. But as history has shown, no throne is secure forever. The future belongs to those who innovate, and Python’s ability to evolve will determine whether it remains at the top. The throne of code is only as stable as the next breakthrough. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, developers have been split into two camps: those who ban AI in coding and those who embrace it. Many seasoned programmers not only avoid AI-generated code but also prohibit their teams from using it. Their reasoning is simple: “AI-generated code is unreliable.” Even if one doesn’t agree with this anti-AI stance, they’ve likely faced challenges, hurdles, or frustrations when using AI for programming. The key is finding the right strategies to use AI to your advantage. Many are still using outdated AI strategies from two years ago, likened to cutting down a tree with kitchen knives. Two Major Issues with AI for Developers The Wrong Way to Use AI… …can be broken down into two parts: When ChatGPT first launched, the typical way to work with AI was to visit the website and chat with GPT-3.5 in a browser. The process was straightforward: copy code from the IDE, paste it into ChatGPT with a basic prompt like “add comments,” get the revised code, check for errors, and paste it back into the IDE. Many developers, especially beginners and students, are still using this same method. However, the AI landscape has changed significantly over the last two years, and many have not adjusted their approach to fully leverage AI’s potential. Another common pitfall is how developers use AI. They ask the LLM to generate code, test it, and go back and forth to fix any issues. Often, they fall into an endless loop of AI hallucinations when trying to get the LLM to understand what’s wrong. This can be frustrating and unproductive. Four Tools to Boost Programming Productivity with AI 1. Cursor: AI-First IDE Cursor is an AI-first IDE built on VScode but enhanced with AI features. It allows developers to integrate a chatbot API and use AI as an assistant. Some of Cursor’s standout features include: Cursor integrates seamlessly with VScode, making it easy for existing users to transition. It supports various models, including GPT-4, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, and its built-in free cursor-small model. The combination of Cursor and Sonnet 3.5 has been particularly praised for producing reliable coding results. This tool is a significant improvement over copy-pasting code between ChatGPT and an IDE. 2. Micro Agent: Code + Test Case Micro Agent takes a different approach to AI-generated code by focusing on test cases. Instead of generating large chunks of code, it begins by creating test cases based on the prompt, then writes code that passes those tests. This method results in more grounded and reliable output, especially for functions that are tricky but not overly complex. 3. SWE-agent: AI for GitHub Issues Developed by Princeton Language and Intelligence, SWE-agent specializes in resolving real-world GitHub repository issues and submitting pull requests. It’s a powerful tool for managing large repositories, as it reviews codebases, identifies issues, and makes necessary changes. SWE-agent is open-source and has gained considerable popularity on GitHub. 4. AI Commits: git commit -m AI Commits generates meaningful commit messages based on your git diff. This simple tool eliminates the need for vague or repetitive commit messages like “minor changes.” It’s easy to install and uses GPT-3.5 for efficient, AI-generated commit messages. The Path Forward To stay productive and achieve goals in the rapidly evolving AI landscape, developers need the right tools. The limitations of AI, such as hallucinations, can’t be eliminated, but using the appropriate tools can help mitigate them. Simple, manual interactions like generating code or comments through ChatGPT can be frustrating. By adopting the right strategies and tools, developers can avoid these pitfalls and confidently enhance their coding practices. AI is evolving fast, and keeping up with its changes is crucial. The right tools can make all the difference in your programming workflow. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Salesforce has introduced a generative AI system designed to prioritize data privacy through a unique “forgetting” feature. This innovation allows the AI to process information through large language models (LLMs) without retaining the data, helping companies manage sensitive information more securely. AI That Forgets. As part of the latest wave in generative AI, Salesforce’s solution takes the form of digital “agents”—intelligent systems capable of understanding and responding to customer inquiries autonomously. CEO Marc Benioff has hailed this development as a significant breakthrough for the company, emphasizing its potential to transform customer interactions. AI That Forgets. At a recent event, Patrick Stokes, Salesforce’s EVP of Products and Industries, highlighted how this system supports organizations by reducing the costs and risks associated with building their own AI models. According to Stokes, many companies lack the resources to develop in-house AI sustainably, and Salesforce’s privacy-first approach provides an appealing alternative. Rather than focusing solely on creating the most powerful LLM, Salesforce has built AI agents that connect data and actions securely, addressing privacy concerns that have hindered AI adoption. AI That Forgets Salesforce’s approach integrates privacy-focused safeguards, which Stokes describes as a “trust layer” within the AI system. This feature verifies that data retrieved during an AI query aligns with the user’s access permissions, protecting sensitive information. Stokes notes that unlike traditional AI models that retain data, Salesforce’s LLM processes only the information required for each interaction and then “forgets” it afterward. This zero-retention approach creates a more secure environment, where companies retain governance over data usage and minimize risks associated with long-term data storage. Zahra Bahrololoumi, CEO of Salesforce UK and Ireland, also emphasized that Salesforce’s AI solutions offer users the confidence to adopt generative AI without compromising security. With over 1,000 AI agents already implemented, companies are benefiting from reduced burnout and increased productivity while maintaining data trust and integrity. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Organizations must acknowledge the risks associated with implementing AI systems to use the technology ethically and minimize liability. Throughout history, companies have had to manage the risks associated with adopting new technologies, and AI is no exception. Some AI risks are similar to those encountered when deploying any new technology or tool, such as poor strategic alignment with business goals, a lack of necessary skills to support initiatives, and failure to secure buy-in across the organization. For these challenges, executives should rely on best practices that have guided the successful adoption of other technologies. In the case of AI, this includes: However, AI introduces unique risks that must be addressed head-on. Here are 15 areas of concern that can arise as organizations implement and use AI technologies in the enterprise: Managing AI Risks While AI risks cannot be eliminated, they can be managed. Organizations must first recognize and understand these risks and then implement policies to minimize their negative impact. These policies should ensure the use of high-quality data, require testing and validation to eliminate biases, and mandate ongoing monitoring to identify and address unexpected consequences. Furthermore, ethical considerations should be embedded in AI systems, with frameworks in place to ensure AI produces transparent, fair, and unbiased results. Human oversight is essential to confirm these systems meet established standards. For successful risk management, the involvement of the board and the C-suite is crucial. As noted, “This is not just an IT problem, so all executives need to get involved in this.” Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Alphabet Soup of Cloud Terminology As with any technology, the cloud brings its own alphabet soup of terms. This insight will hopefully help you navigate Read more
Building a trusted AI system starts with ensuring transparency in how decisions are made. Explainable AI is vital not only for addressing trust issues within organizations but also for navigating regulatory challenges. According to research from Forrester, many business leaders express concerns over AI, particularly generative AI, which surged in popularity following the 2022 release of ChatGPT by OpenAI. “AI faces a trust issue,” explained Forrester analyst Brandon Purcell, underscoring the need for explainability to foster accountability. He highlighted that explainability helps stakeholders understand how AI systems generate their outputs. “Explainability builds trust,” Purcell stated at the Forrester Technology and Innovation Summit in Austin, Texas. “When employees trust AI systems, they’re more inclined to use them.” Implementing explainable AI does more than encourage usage within an organization—it also helps mitigate regulatory risks, according to Purcell. Explainability is crucial for compliance, especially under regulations like the EU AI Act. Forrester analyst Alla Valente emphasized the importance of integrating accountability, trust, and security into AI efforts. “Don’t wait for regulators to set standards—ensure you’re already meeting them,” she advised at the summit. Purcell noted that explainable AI varies depending on whether the AI model is predictive, generative, or agentic. Building an Explainable AI System AI explainability encompasses several key elements, including reproducibility, observability, transparency, interpretability, and traceability. For predictive models, transparency and interpretability are paramount. Transparency involves using “glass-box modeling,” where users can see how the model analyzed the data and arrived at its predictions. This approach is likely to be a regulatory requirement, especially for high-risk applications. Interpretability is another important technique, useful for lower-risk cases such as fraud detection or explaining loan decisions. Techniques like partial dependence plots show how specific inputs affect predictive model outcomes. “With predictive AI, explainability focuses on the model itself,” Purcell noted. “It’s one area where you can open the hood and examine how it works.” In contrast, generative AI models are often more opaque, making explainability harder. Businesses can address this by documenting the entire system, a process known as traceability. For those using models from vendors like Google or OpenAI, tools like transparency indexes and model cards—which detail the model’s use case, limitations, and performance—are valuable resources. Lastly, for agentic AI systems, which autonomously pursue goals, reproducibility is key. Businesses must ensure that the model’s outputs can be consistently replicated with similar inputs before deployment. These systems, like self-driving cars, will require extensive testing in controlled environments before being trusted in the real world. “Agentic systems will need to rack up millions of virtual miles before we let them loose,” Purcell concluded. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more Top Ten Reasons Why Tectonic Loves the Cloud The Cloud is Good for Everyone – Why Tectonic loves the cloud You don’t need to worry about tracking licenses. Read more
Salesforce AI and Cohere-Powered Slack Agents: Seamless CRM Data Interaction and Enhanced Productivity Slack agents, powered by Salesforce AI and integrated with Cohere, enable seamless interaction with CRM data within the Slack platform. These agents allow teams to use natural language to surface data insights and take action, simplifying workflows. With Slack’s AI Workflow Builder and support for third-party AI agents, including Cohere, productivity is further enhanced through automated processes and customizable AI assistants. By leveraging these technologies, Slack agents provide users with direct access to CRM data and AI-powered insights, improving efficiency and collaboration. Key Features of Slack Agents: Salesforce AI and Cohere Productivity Enhancements with Slack Agents: Salesforce AI and Cohere AI Agent Capabilities in Slack: Salesforce and Cohere Data Security and Compliance for Slack Agents FAQ What are Slack agents, and how do they integrate with Salesforce AI and Cohere?Slack agents are AI-powered assistants that enable teams to interact with CRM data directly within Slack. Salesforce AI agents allow natural language data interactions, while Cohere’s integration enhances productivity with customizable AI assistants and automated workflows. How do Salesforce AI agents in Slack improve team productivity?Salesforce AI agents enable users to interact with both CRM and conversational data, update records, and analyze opportunities using natural language. This integration improves workflow efficiency, leading to a reported 47% productivity boost. What features does the Cohere integration with Slack AI offer?Cohere integration offers customizable AI assistants that can help generate workflows, summarize channel content, and provide intelligent responses to user queries within Slack. How do Slack agents handle data security and compliance?Slack agents leverage cloud-native DLP solutions, automatically detecting sensitive data across different file types and setting up automated remediation processes for enhanced security and compliance. Can Slack agents work with AI providers beyond Salesforce and Cohere?Yes, Slack supports AI agents from various providers. In addition to Salesforce AI and Cohere, integrations include Adobe Express, Anthropic, Perplexity, IBM, and Amazon Q Business, offering users a wide array of AI-powered capabilities. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Skechers Boosts Direct-to-Consumer Sales with Ecommerce Platform Upgrades Skechers, now a global brand in 2024, credits its recent ecommerce platform upgrades for saving time and increasing direct-to-consumer sales. However, it wasn’t always equipped with the right technology to support its massive growth. During Salesforce’s Dreamforce conference in San Francisco, Eric Cheng, Skechers USA Inc.’s director of ecommerce architecture, shared insights into how key technology decisions helped the brand expand and enhance its website and content capabilities. “Today, we’re present in over 180 countries worldwide,” Cheng said, speaking on stage at the Moscone Center. Skechers’ journey began in 1992, and its expansion has taken the brand across borders, reaching millions of customers worldwide. “We connect hundreds of millions of customers through our retail stores and ecommerce platform to deliver a unique experience,” Cheng noted, emphasizing the need to meet the diverse demands of each market. Skechers ranks No. 273 in the Top 1000, Digital Commerce 360’s ranking of the largest North American e-retailers by online sales, where it is categorized as an Apparel & Accessories retailer. Digital Commerce 360 projects that Skechers will reach 0.65 million in online sales by 2024. Ecommerce Platform Challenges Cheng acknowledged that Skechers’ digital transformation wasn’t immediate: “The journey did not just happen overnight; it took time and effort.” Skechers faced challenges in three key areas: content management, scalability, and customer experience. The legacy system was inadequate, lacking robust tools for efficient content delivery, previewing scheduled content, and handling localization. As Cheng described, launching a marketing page often required the content team to be on standby at midnight—an unsustainable approach for 17 countries. How Skechers Solved Its Ecommerce Challenges To overcome these hurdles, Skechers partnered with Astound Digital. Together, they implemented Salesforce Service Cloud and Manhattan Active Omni for order management. Kyle Montgomery, senior vice president of commerce at Astound Digital, joined Cheng on stage and highlighted the goal: “Their vision was to unify, supply, and scale.” This transformation enabled Skechers to bring 17 countries in Europe, Japan, and North America onto a single platform. Jennifer Lane, Salesforce’s director of success guides, also emphasized the flexibility achieved using Salesforce’s Page Designer and localization solutions from Salesforce’s AppExchange. Integrations with Thomson Reuters for tax, CyberSource for payments, and Salesforce Marketing Cloud for personalization further enhanced Skechers’ capabilities. The Results Cheng highlighted three key improvements after the ecommerce overhaul. First, content creation and localization tools improved operational efficiency by over 500%. The time to launch in new markets was dramatically reduced from five months to just a few weeks. Additionally, Skechers saw a notable sales boost, with a 24.5% increase in its direct-to-consumer segment during Q1 2023. Skechers’ success demonstrates the significant impact of a well-executed ecommerce platform upgrade, allowing the brand to scale globally while improving customer experience and operational efficiency. Contact Tectonic to learn what Salesforce can do for you. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
AI Pitchfield is more than a showcase of entrepreneurial talent—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of AI pioneers. By fostering connections and providing critical investment opportunities, Salesforce and its partners are driving the evolution of AI across India and Southeast Asia. This initiative reflects Salesforce’s commitment to advancing technology, empowering startups, and shaping a future where AI continues to transform industries and unlock untapped potential.
AI Tools in Networking: Tailoring Capabilities to Unique Needs AI tools are becoming increasingly common across various industries, offering a wide range of functionalities. However, network engineers may not require every capability these tools provide. Each network has distinct requirements that align with specific business objectives, necessitating that network engineers and developers select AI toolsets tailored to their networks’ needs. While network teams often desire similar AI capabilities, they also encounter common challenges in integrating these tools into their systems. The Rise of AI in Networking Though AI is not a new concept—having existed for decades in the form of automated and expert systems—it is gaining unprecedented attention. According to Jim Frey, principal analyst for networking at TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group, many organizations have not fully grasped AI’s potential in production environments over the past three years. “AI has been around for a long time, but the interesting thing is, only a minority—not even half—have really said they’re using it effectively in production for the last three years,” Frey noted. Generative AI (GenAI) has significantly contributed to this renewed interest in AI. Shamus McGillicuddy, vice president of research at Enterprise Management Associates, categorizes AI tools into two main types: GenAI and AIOps (AI for IT operations). “Generative AI, like ChatGPT, has recently surged in popularity, becoming a focal point of discussion among IT professionals,” McGillicuddy explained. “AIOps, on the other hand, encompasses machine learning, anomaly detection, and analytics.” The increasing complexity of networks is another factor driving the adoption of AI in networking. Frey highlighted that the demands of modern network environments are beyond human capability to manage manually, making AI engines a vital solution. Essential AI Tool Capabilities for Networks While individual network needs vary, many network engineers seek similar functionalities when integrating AI. Commonly desired capabilities include: According to McGillicuddy’s research, network optimization and automated troubleshooting are among the most popular use cases for AI. However, many professionals prefer to retain manual oversight in the fixing process. “Automated troubleshooting can identify and analyze issues, but typically, people want to approve the proposed fixes,” McGillicuddy stated. Many of these capabilities are critical for enhancing security and mitigating threats. Frey emphasized that networking professionals increasingly view AI as a tool to improve organizational security. DeCarlo echoed this sentiment, noting that network managers share similar objectives with security professionals regarding proactive problem recognition. Frey also mentioned alternative use cases for AI, such as documentation and change recommendations, which, while less popular, can offer significant value to network teams. Ultimately, the relevance of any AI capability hinges on its fit within the network environment and team needs. “I don’t think you can prioritize one capability over another,” DeCarlo remarked. “It depends on the tools being used and their effectiveness.” Generative AI: A New Frontier Despite its recent emergence, GenAI has quickly become an asset in the networking field. McGillicuddy noted that in the past year and a half, network professionals have adopted GenAI tools, with ChatGPT being one of the most recognized examples. “One user reported that leveraging ChatGPT could reduce a task that typically takes four hours down to just 10 minutes,” McGillicuddy said. However, he cautioned that users must understand the limitations of GenAI, as mistakes can occur. “There’s a risk of errors or ‘hallucinations’ with these tools, and having blind faith in their outputs can lead to significant network issues,” he warned. In addition to ChatGPT, vendors are developing GenAI interfaces for their products, including virtual assistants. According to McGillicuddy’s findings, common use cases for vendor GenAI products include: DeCarlo added that GenAI tools offer valuable training capabilities due to their rapid processing speeds and in-depth analysis, which can expedite knowledge acquisition within the network. Frey highlighted that GenAI’s rise is attributed to its ability to outperform older systems lacking sophistication. Nevertheless, the complexity of GenAI infrastructures has led to a demand for AIOps tools to manage these systems effectively. “We won’t be able to manage GenAI infrastructures without the support of AI tools, as human capabilities cannot keep pace with rapid changes,” Frey asserted. Challenges in Implementing AI Tools While AI tools present significant benefits for networks, network engineers and managers must navigate several challenges before integration. Data Privacy, Collection, and Quality Data usage remains a critical concern for organizations considering AIOps and GenAI tools. Frey noted that the diverse nature of network data—combining operational information with personally identifiable information—heightens data privacy concerns. For GenAI, McGillicuddy pointed out the importance of validating AI outputs and ensuring high-quality data is utilized for training. “If you feed poor data to a generative AI tool, it will struggle to accurately understand your network,” he explained. Complexity of AI Tools Frey and McGillicuddy agreed that the complexity of both AI and network systems could hinder effective deployment. Frey mentioned that AI systems, especially GenAI, require careful tuning and strong recommendations to minimize inaccuracies. McGillicuddy added that intricate network infrastructures, particularly those involving multiple vendors, could limit the effectiveness of AIOps components, which are often specialized for specific systems. User Uptake and Skills Gaps User adoption of AI tools poses a significant challenge. Proper training is essential to realize the full benefits of AI in networking. Some network professionals may be resistant to using AI, while others may lack the knowledge to integrate these tools effectively. McGillicuddy noted that AIOps tools are often less intuitive than GenAI, necessitating a certain level of expertise for users to extract value. “Understanding how tools function and identifying potential gaps can be challenging,” DeCarlo added. The learning curve can be steep, particularly for teams accustomed to longstanding tools. Integration Issues Integration challenges can further complicate user adoption. McGillicuddy highlighted two dimensions of this issue: tools and processes. On the tools side, concerns arise about harmonizing GenAI with existing systems. “On the process side, it’s crucial to ensure that teams utilize these tools effectively,” he said. DeCarlo cautioned that organizations might need to create in-house supplemental tools to bridge integration gaps, complicating the synchronization of vendor AI
One effective way to accomplish this is by using the Document Matrix element in Discovery Framework–based OmniScripts. This approach allows you to streamline the assessment process and ensure that the advisor uploads the correct documents.
Software company Salesforce announced on Monday that it has rolled out a new version of its government cloud that has Top Secret authorization and is geared toward U.S. national security agencies and intelligence organizations.
The new offering, called Government Cloud Premium, is hosted on Amazon Web Services’ Top Secret cloud.
As a leading cloud provider, Google Cloud is also a major player in the generative AI market. Google on Google AI provides insights into this new tool. In the past two years, Google has been in a competitive battle with AWS, Microsoft, and OpenAI to gain dominance in the generative AI space. Recently, Google introduced several generative Artificial Intelligence products, including its flagship large language model, Gemini, and the Vertex AI Model Garden. Last week, it also unveiled Audio Overview, a tool that transforms documents into audio discussions. Despite these advancements, Google has faced criticism for lagging in some areas, such as issues with its initial image generation tool, like X’s Grok. However, the company remains committed to driving progress in generative AI. Google’s strategy focuses not only on delivering its proprietary models but also offering a broad selection of third-party models through its Model Garden. Google’s Thoughts on Google AI Warren Barkley, head of product for Google Cloud’s Vertex AI, GenAI, and machine learning, emphasized this approach in a recent episode of the Targeting AI podcast. He noted that a key part of Google’s ongoing effort is ensuring users can easily transition to more advanced models. “A lot of what we did in the early days, and we continue to do now, is make it easy for people to move to the next generation,” Barkley said. “The models we built 18 months ago are a shadow of what we have today. So, providing pathways for people to upgrade and stay on the cutting edge is critical.” Google is also focused on helping users select the right AI models for specific applications. With over 100 closed and open models available in the Model Garden, evaluating them can be challenging for customers. To address this, Google introduced evaluation tools that allow users to test prompts and compare model responses. In addition, Google is exploring advancements in Artificial Intelligence reasoning, which it views as crucial to driving the future of generative AI. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
Cohesity has introduced Data Explore, a new feature in its Gaia generative AI platform, aimed at simplifying data search within backups for any employee. The update, launched this week, adds keyword search capabilities and data visualization through topic word clouds, enhancing user access to valuable information. Previously, users could interact with Gaia’s conversational AI interface to ask questions about stored data. Data Explore now extends this by enabling users to browse frequent keywords within data sets and receive search suggestions to help refine their queries. This addition is particularly valuable for users who may not know exactly what to ask when exploring backup data. As part of the update, Gaia’s support for file storage systems has also expanded. Gaia now integrates with both on-premises and cloud-based file servers, such as Dell Technologies’ PowerScale and NetApp systems, in addition to existing support for Microsoft 365 services like Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive. This enhanced search functionality reflects a broader trend among backup vendors to deliver greater utility from stored data, according to Simon Robinson of TechTarget’s Enterprise Strategy Group. He noted that tools making data accessible to non-experts bring businesses closer to the goal of actionable insights. “You don’t need to be a corporate librarian to use this stuff,” Robinson said. Data Explore’s semantic indexing, similar to internet search engines, aids users by automatically surfacing keywords, questions, and suggestions, making backup data more searchable and actionable. According to Krista Case, an analyst at Futurum Group, this helps reduce AI hype by grounding Gaia in practical use cases, facilitating faster insights for end users. Since Gaia’s launch as a SaaS add-on for Cohesity Data Cloud, its features have evolved to offer deeper insights beyond simple chatbot interactions. Greg Statton, Cohesity’s VP of AI solutions, shared that the platform aims to be more than a support agent for backup queries. The vision is to provide advanced AI tools that enhance data discovery, flag abnormal events, and reduce alert fatigue, giving IT administrators actionable intelligence that is more contextually aware of their tasks. Ultimately, Cohesity’s Data Explore feature exemplifies generative AI’s potential in unlocking business value from backup data. By making this data accessible and understandable, Cohesity is helping organizations achieve the long-awaited promise of deriving value from stored data – a milestone Robinson believes backup vendors are now on the verge of realizing. Like Related Posts Salesforce OEM AppExchange Expanding its reach beyond CRM, Salesforce.com has launched a new service called AppExchange OEM Edition, aimed at non-CRM service providers. Read more The Salesforce Story In Marc Benioff’s own words How did salesforce.com grow from a start up in a rented apartment into the world’s Read more Salesforce Jigsaw Salesforce.com, a prominent figure in cloud computing, has finalized a deal to acquire Jigsaw, a wiki-style business contact database, for Read more Health Cloud Brings Healthcare Transformation Following swiftly after last week’s successful launch of Financial Services Cloud, Salesforce has announced the second installment in its series Read more
