Google Archives - gettectonic.com

13Nov

OpenAI and the Agentic Race

OpenAI to Join the AI Agentic Race with ‘Operator’ in January 2025 OpenAI is reportedly preparing to launch its AI agent, Operator, in January 2025. Designed to autonomously control computers and handle repetitive tasks like booking travel or writing code, Operator is expected to ship as a research preview and will also be available via OpenAI’s API for developers, according to a report by Bloomberg. This move positions OpenAI squarely in the midst of the growing AI agent wars, where competitors like Microsoft and Salesforce are vying for dominance in autonomous AI systems. These tools are seen as the next frontier in AI, enabling users to automate multi-step tasks with minimal supervision. Salesforce and Microsoft: The Agentic Rivalry Heats Up The competition between tech giants is already intense. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently took aim at Microsoft’s Copilot, likening it to a rebooted version of the infamous Clippy, criticizing it as ineffective and lacking value. Benioff highlighted Salesforce’s own offering, Agentforce, which he claimed processes trillions of AI transactions weekly and serves as the leading AI enterprise agent. Benioff went on to accuse Microsoft of being in “panic mode” after it announced plans to expand Copilot Studio with features for building autonomous agents. His sharp critique: “Microsoft rebranding Copilot as ‘agents’? That’s panic mode. Let’s be real—Copilot’s a flop because Microsoft lacks the data, metadata, and enterprise security models to create real corporate intelligence. That is why Copilot is inaccurate, spills corporate data, and forces customers to build their own LLMs. Clippy 2.0, anyone? Meanwhile, Agentforce is transforming businesses now.” A Crowded Battlefield Other players are also entering the fray. Google is set to release its own AI agent in December 2024, while Anthropic recently unveiled a Computer Use API, further expanding its capabilities in this emerging field. With multiple entrants pushing the boundaries of agentic AI, the competition shows no signs of slowing down. OpenAI’s Vision for 2025 While details about Operator remain sparse, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has hinted that the company is continually refining its models. During OpenAI’s annual Dev Day in October, Chief Product Officer Kevin Weil remarked: “I think 2025 is going to be the year that agentic systems finally hit the mainstream.” Despite the optimism, reports suggest that many leading AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, are struggling to develop more advanced models. Challenges such as a lack of high-quality training data and resource constraints are cited as significant hurdles. The Road Ahead As the race to mainstream agentic AI systems intensifies, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With OpenAI’s Operator entering the fold alongside Google, Salesforce, Microsoft, and Anthropic, 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative year for AI. Whether Operator can live up to expectations—or if it will face the same scrutiny as its competitors—remains to be seen. 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

November 13, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Google, Salesforce

11Nov

AI Research Agents

AI Research Agents: Transforming Knowledge Discovery by 2025 (Plus the Top 3 Free Tools) The research world is on the verge of a groundbreaking shift, driven by the evolution of AI research agents. By 2025, these agents are expected to move beyond being mere tools to becoming transformative assets for knowledge discovery, revolutionizing industries such as marketing, science, and beyond. Human researchers are inherently limited—they cannot scan 10,000 websites in an hour or analyze data at lightning speed. AI agents, however, are purpose-built for these tasks, providing efficiency and insights far beyond human capabilities. Here, we explore the anticipated impact of AI research agents and highlight three free tools redefining this space (spoiler alert: it’s not ChatGPT or Perplexity!). AI Research Agents: The New Era of Knowledge Exploration By 2030, the AI research market is projected to skyrocket from .1 billion in 2024 to .1 billion. This explosive growth represents not just advancements in AI but a fundamental transformation in how knowledge is gathered, analyzed, and applied. Unlike traditional AI systems, which require constant input and supervision, AI research agents function more like dynamic research assistants. They adapt their approach based on outcomes, handle vast quantities of data, and generate actionable insights with remarkable precision. Key Differentiator: These agents leverage advanced Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) technology, ensuring accuracy by pulling verified data from trusted sources. Equipped with anti-hallucination algorithms, they maintain factual integrity while citing their sources—making them indispensable for high-stakes research. The Technology Behind AI Research Agents AI research agents stand out due to their ability to: For example, an AI agent can deliver a detailed research report in 30 minutes, a task that might take a human team days. Why AI Research Agents Matter Now The timing couldn’t be more critical. The volume of data generated daily is overwhelming, and human researchers often struggle to keep up. Meanwhile, Google’s focus on Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (EEAT) has heightened the demand for accurate, well-researched content. Some research teams have already reported time savings of up to 70% by integrating AI agents into their workflows. Beyond speed, these agents uncover perspectives and connections often overlooked by human researchers, adding significant value to the final output. Top 3 Free AI Research Tools 1. Stanford STORM Overview: STORM (Synthesis of Topic Outlines through Retrieval and Multi-perspective Question Asking) is an open-source system designed to generate comprehensive, Wikipedia-style articles. Learn more: Visit the STORM GitHub repository. 2. CustomGPT.ai Researcher Overview: CustomGPT.ai creates highly accurate, SEO-optimized long-form articles using deep Google research or proprietary databases. Learn more: Access the free Streamlit app for CustomGPT.ai. 3. GPT Researcher Overview: This open-source agent conducts thorough research tasks, pulling data from both web and local sources to produce customized reports. Learn more: Visit the GPT Researcher GitHub repository. The Human-AI Partnership Despite their capabilities, AI research agents are not replacements for human researchers. Instead, they act as powerful assistants, enabling researchers to focus on creative problem-solving and strategic thinking. Think of them as tireless collaborators, processing vast amounts of data while humans interpret and apply the findings to solve complex challenges. Preparing for the AI Research Revolution To harness the potential of AI research agents, researchers must adapt. Universities and organizations are already incorporating AI training into their programs to prepare the next generation of professionals. For smaller labs and institutions, these tools present a unique opportunity to level the playing field, democratizing access to high-quality research capabilities. Looking Ahead By 2025, AI research agents will likely reshape the research landscape, enabling cross-disciplinary breakthroughs and empowering researchers worldwide. From small teams to global enterprises, the benefits are immense—faster insights, deeper analysis, and unprecedented innovation. As with any transformative technology, challenges remain. But the potential to address some of humanity’s biggest problems makes this an AI revolution worth embracing. Now is the time to prepare and make the most of these groundbreaking tools. 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

November 11, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Google, Technology

04Nov

Consider AI Agents Personas

Treating AI Agents as Personas: Introducing the Era of Agent-Computer Interaction The UX landscape is evolving. While the design community has quickly adopted Large Language Models (LLMs) as tools, we’ve yet to fully grasp their transformative potential. With AI agents now deeply embedded in digital products, they are shifting from tools to active participants in our digital ecosystems. This change demands a new design paradigm—one that views AI agents not just as extensions of human users but as independent personas in their own right. The Rise of Agent-Computer Interaction AI agents represent a new class of users capable of navigating interfaces autonomously and completing complex tasks. This marks the dawn of Agent-Computer Interaction (ACI)—a paradigm where user experience design encompasses the needs of both human users and AI agents. Humans still play a critical role in guiding and supervising these systems, but AI agents must now be treated as distinct personas with unique goals, abilities, and requirements. This shift challenges UX designers to consider how these agents interact with interfaces and perform their tasks, ensuring they are equipped with the information and resources necessary to operate effectively. Understanding AI Agents AI agents are intelligent systems designed to reason, plan, and work across platforms with minimal human intervention. As defined during Google I/O, these agents retain context, anticipate needs, and execute multi-step processes. Advances in AI, such as Anthropic’s Claude and its ability to interact with graphical interfaces, have unlocked new levels of agency. Unlike earlier agents that relied solely on APIs, modern agents can manipulate graphical user interfaces much like human users, enabling seamless interaction with browser-based applications. This capability creates opportunities for new forms of interaction but also demands thoughtful design choices. Two Interaction Approaches for AI Agents Design teams must evaluate these methods based on the task’s complexity and transparency requirements, striking the right balance between efficiency and oversight. Designing Experiences Considering AI Agents Personas As AI agents transition into active users, UX design must expand to accommodate their specific needs. Much like human personas, AI agents require a deep understanding of their capabilities, limitations, and workflows. Creating AI Agent Personas Developing personas for AI agents involves identifying their unique characteristics: These personas inform interface designs that optimize agent workflows, ensuring both agents and humans can collaborate effectively. New UX Research Methodologies UX teams should embrace innovative research techniques, such as A/B testing interfaces for agent performance and monitoring their interaction patterns. While AI agents lack sentience, they exhibit behaviors—reasoning, planning, and adapting—that require careful study and design consideration. Shaping the AI Mind AI agents derive their reasoning capabilities from Large Language Models (LLMs), but their behavior and effectiveness are shaped by UX design. Designers have a unique role in crafting system prompts and developing feedback loops that refine LLM behavior over time. Key Areas for Designer Involvement: This work positions UX professionals as co-creators of AI intelligence, shaping not just interfaces but the underlying behaviors that drive agent interactions. Keeping Humans in the Loop Despite the rise of AI agents, human oversight and control remain essential. UX practitioners must prioritize transparency and trust in agent-driven systems. Key Considerations: Using tools like agentic experience maps—blueprints that visualize the interactions between humans, agents, and products—designers can ensure AI systems remain human-centered. A New Frontier for UX The emergence of AI agents heralds a shift as significant as the transition from desktop to mobile. Just as mobile devices unlocked new opportunities for interaction, AI agents are poised to redefine digital experiences in ways we can’t yet fully predict. By embracing Agent-Computer Interaction, UX designers have an unprecedented opportunity to shape the future of human-AI collaboration. Those who develop expertise in designing for these intelligent agents will lead the way in creating systems that are not only powerful but also deeply human-centered. 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

November 4, 2024in Data, Google

01Nov

Informed Decision-Making

Informed Decision-Making Through Data Visualization: Power BI vs. Tableau Today’s businesses need to make informed decisions by leveraging organized and analyzed data. Data visualization is a key method for extracting insights from this data, and Power BI and Tableau are two leading tools that often spark debate among experts. Both are highly regarded for their ability to visualize data, and CTOs frequently compare Power BI vs. Tableau to determine the best fit for their needs. Why Power BI and Tableau Stand OutBoth tools excel at data visualization, making them top choices for business intelligence (BI) solutions. They offer seamless integration with various platforms, can handle large volumes of data, and provide predictive analytics capabilities. To help CTOs and other decision-makers boost efficiency, let’s dive into a comparison of Power BI vs. Tableau and examine how each tool measures up. Power BI Microsoft’s Power BI is a leading BI tool designed to transform data from diverse sources into insightful visual reports. It allows users to create, share, and manage analytical reports, ensuring accessibility at all times. As part of the Microsoft ecosystem, Power BI is ideal for large organizations that already use Microsoft products. Tableau Tableau delivers powerful data visualization with flexible deployment options, allowing users to seamlessly access insights. With its integration into Salesforce Data Cloud, Tableau offers a fast and scalable way to work with customer data in real time. Its strong data-handling capabilities make it popular among larger organizations and data experts. Power BI vs. Tableau: Key Differences Let’s explore the key differences between Power BI and Tableau to guide your informed decision-making. Data Visualization and User Interface Data Integration and Connectivity for Informed Decision-Making Data Handling and Performance Ease of Learning Programming Tools Support Pricing Microsoft Power BI vs. Salesforce Tableau: Pros and Cons Power BI Pros Tableau Pros Which is Better: Power BI or Tableau? When comparing Microsoft Power BI vs. Tableau, the right choice depends on your organization’s size, technical expertise, and specific needs. For smaller businesses and those already using Microsoft tools, Power BI is often the best fit. On the other hand, larger organizations managing substantial datasets might favor Tableau for its advanced capabilities. Ultimately, the decision between Power BI vs. Tableau should be based on your unique business requirements and the level of technical expertise available within your team. 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

November 1, 2024in Data, Google, Google Analytics, Salesforce, Salesforce Data Cloud

01Nov

10 Top AI Jobs in 2025

10 Top AI Jobs in 2025 As we approach 2025, the demand for AI expertise is on the rise. Companies are seeking professionals with a strong background in AI, paired with practical experience. This insight explores 10 of the top AI jobs, the skills they require, and the industries that are driving AI adoption. If you are of the camp worrying about artificial intelligence replacing you, read on to see how you can leverage AI to upskill your career. AI is increasingly becoming an integral part of our lives, influencing various sectors from healthcare and finance to manufacturing, retail, and education. It is automating routine tasks, enhancing user experiences, and improving decision-making processes. AI is transitioning from data centers into everyday devices such as smartphones, IoT devices, and autonomous vehicles, becoming more efficient and safer thanks to advancements in real-time processing, lower latency, and enhanced privacy measures. The ethical use of AI is also at the forefront, emphasizing fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI models and decision-making processes. This proactive approach to ethics contrasts with past technological advancements, where ethical considerations often lagged behind. The rapid growth of AI translates to an increasing number of job opportunities. Below, we discuss the skills sought in AI specialists, the industries adopting AI at a fast pace, and a rundown of the 10 hottest AI jobs for 2025. Top AI Job Skills While many programmers are self-taught, the AI field demands a higher level of expertise. An analysis of 15,000 job postings found that 77% of AI roles require a master’s degree, while only 8% of positions are available to candidates with just a high school diploma. Most job openings call for mid-level experience, with only 12% for entry-level roles. Interestingly, while remote work is common in IT, only 11% of AI jobs offer fully remote positions. Being a successful AI developer requires more than coding skills; proficiency in core AI programming languages (like Python, Java, and R) is essential. Additional skills in communication, digital marketing strategies, effective collaboration, and analytical abilities are also critical. Moreover, a basic understanding of psychology is beneficial for simulating human behavior, and knowledge of AI security, privacy, and ethical practices is increasingly necessary. Industries Embracing AI Certain sectors are rapidly adopting AI technologies, including: 10 Top AI Jobs AI job roles are evolving quickly. Specialists are increasingly in demand over generalists, with a focus on deep knowledge in specific areas. Here are 10 promising AI job roles for 2025, along with their expected salaries based on job postings. As AI continues to evolve, these roles will play a pivotal part in shaping the future of various industries. Preparing for a career in AI requires a combination of technical skills, ethical understanding, and a willingness to adapt to new technologies. As we’ve seen with Salesforce a push for upskilling in artificial intelligence is here. 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

November 1, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Data, Google, Technology

29Oct

More AI Tools to Use

Additionally, Arc’s collaboration with Perplexity elevates browsing by transforming search experiences. Perplexity functions as a personal AI research assistant, fetching and summarizing information along with sources, visuals, and follow-up questions. Premium users even have access to advanced large language models like GPT-4 and Claude. Together, Arc and Perplexity revolutionize how users navigate the web. 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

October 29, 2024in AI Tools, Data, Google

How to Implement AI for Business Transformation

29Oct

Trust Deepens as AI Revolutionizes Content Creation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the content creation industry, sparking conversations about trust, authenticity, and the future of human creativity. As developers increasingly adopt AI tools, their trust in these technologies grows. Over 75% of developers now express confidence in AI, a trend that highlights the far-reaching potential of these advancements across industries. A study shared by Parametric Architecture underscores the expanding reliance on AI, with sectors ranging from marketing to architecture integrating these tools for tasks like design and communication. Yet, the implications for trust and authenticity remain nuanced, as stakeholders grapple with ensuring AI-driven content meets ethical and quality standards. Major players like Microsoft are capitalizing on this AI surge, offering solutions that enhance business efficiency. From automating emails to managing records, Microsoft’s tools demonstrate how AI can bridge the gap between human interaction and machine-driven processes. These advancements also intensify competition with other industry leaders, including Salesforce, as businesses seek smarter ways to streamline operations. In marketing, AI’s influence is particularly transformative. As noted by Karla Jo Helms in MarketingProfs, platforms like Google are adapting to the proliferation of AI-generated content by implementing stricter guidelines to combat misinformation. With projections suggesting that 90% of online content could be AI-generated by 2026, marketers face the dual challenge of maintaining authenticity while leveraging automation. Trust remains central to these efforts. According to Helms, “82% of consumers say brands must advertise on safe, accurate, and trustworthy content.” To meet these expectations, marketers must prioritize quality and transparency, aligning with Google’s emphasis on value-driven content over mass-produced AI outputs. This focus on trustworthiness is critical to maintaining audience confidence in an increasingly automated landscape. Beyond marketing, AI is making waves in diverse fields. In agriculture, Southern land-grant scientists are leveraging AI for precision spraying and disease detection, helping farmers reduce costs while improving efficiency. These innovations highlight how AI can drive strategic advancements even in traditional sectors. Across industries, the interplay between AI adoption and ethical content creation poses critical questions. AI should serve as a collaborator, enhancing rather than replacing human creativity. Achieving this balance requires transparency about AI’s role, along with regulatory frameworks to ensure accountability and ethical use. As AI takes center stage in content creation, industries must address challenges around trust and authenticity. The focus must shift from merely implementing AI to integrating it responsibly, fostering user confidence while maintaining the integrity of human narratives. Looking ahead, the path to success lies in balancing automation’s efficiency with genuine storytelling. By emphasizing ethical practices, clear communication about AI’s contributions, and a commitment to quality, content creators can cultivate trust and establish themselves as dependable voices in an increasingly AI-driven world. 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

October 29, 2024in AI Tools, Artificial Intelligence, Google, Salesforce

24Oct

$15 Million to AI Training for U.S. Government Workforce

Google.org Commits $15 Million to AI Training for U.S. Government Workforce Google.org has announced $15 million in grants to support the development of AI skills in the U.S. government workforce, aiming to promote responsible AI use across federal, state, and local levels. These grants, part of Google.org’s broader $75 million AI Opportunity Fund, include $10 million to the Partnership for Public Service and $5 million to InnovateUS. The $10 million grant to the Partnership for Public Service will fund the establishment of the Center for Federal AI, a new hub focused on building AI expertise within the federal government. Set to open in spring 2025, the center will provide a federal AI leadership program, internships, and other initiatives designed to cultivate AI talent in the public sector. InnovateUS will use the $5 million grant to expand AI education for state and local government employees, aiming to train 100,000 workers through specialized courses, workshops, and coaching sessions. “AI is today’s electricity—a transformative technology fundamental to the public sector and society,” said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. “Google.org’s generous support allows us to expand our programming and launch the new Center for Federal AI, empowering agencies to harness AI to better serve the public.” These grants clearly underscore Google.org’s commitment to equipping government agencies with the tools and talent necessary to navigate the evolving AI landscape responsibly. With these tools in place, Tectonic looks forward to assist you in becoming an ai-driven public sector service. 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

October 24, 2024in Google, Technology

24Oct

Scope of Generative AI

Generative AI has far more to offer your site than simply mimicking a conversational ChatGPT-like experience or providing features like generating cover letters on resume sites. Let’s explore how you can integrate Generative AI with your product in diverse and innovative ways! There are three key perspectives to consider when integrating Generative AI with your features: system scope, spatial relationship, and functional relationship. Each perspective offers a different lens for exploring integration pathways and can spark valuable conversations about melding AI with your product ecosystem. These categories aren’t mutually exclusive; instead, they overlap and provide flexible ways of envisioning AI’s role. 1. System Scope — The Reach of Generative AI in Your System System scope refers to the breadth of integration within your system. By viewing integration from this angle, you can assess the role AI plays in managing your platform’s overall functionality. While these categories may overlap, they are useful in facilitating strategic conversations. 2. Spatial Relationships — Where AI Interacts with Features Spatial relationships describe where AI features sit in relation to your platform’s functionality: 3. Functional Relationships — How AI Interacts with Features Functional relationships determine how AI and platform features work together. This includes how users engage with AI and how AI content updates based on feature interactions: Scope of Generative AI By considering these different perspectives—system scope, spatial, and functional—you can drive more meaningful conversations about how Generative AI can best enhance your product’s capabilities. Each approach offers unique value, and careful thought can help teams choose the integration path that aligns with their needs and goals. Scope of Generative AI conversations with Tectonic can assist in planning the best ROI approach to AI. Contact us today. 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

October 24, 2024in Data, Generative AI, Google

23Oct

Scaling Generative AI

Many organizations follow a hybrid approach to AI infrastructure, combining public clouds, colocation facilities, and on-prem solutions. Specialized GPU-as-a-service vendors, for instance, are becoming popular for handling high-demand AI computations, helping businesses manage costs without compromising performance. Business process outsourcing company TaskUs, for example, focuses on optimizing compute and data flows as it scales its gen AI deployments, while Cognizant advises that companies distinguish between training and inference needs, each with different latency requirements.

October 23, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Google, Salesforce

23Oct

Ready for AI Agents

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.

October 23, 2024in Data, Enterprise, Generative AI, Google, Salesforce

22Oct

What is Explainable AI

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

October 22, 2024in Data, Generative AI, Google, Technology

21Oct

How Skechers Solved Its Ecommerce Challenges

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

October 21, 2024in Google, Salesforce, Salesforce Marketing Cloud, Salesforce Service Cloud, Technology

21Oct

Google on Google AI

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

October 21, 2024in Generative AI, Google

19Oct

LLMs and AI

Large Language Models (LLMs): Revolutionizing AI and Custom Solutions Large Language Models (LLMs) are transforming artificial intelligence by enabling machines to generate and comprehend human-like text, making them indispensable across numerous industries. The global LLM market is experiencing explosive growth, projected to rise from $1.59 billion in 2023 to $259.8 billion by 2030. This surge is driven by the increasing demand for automated content creation, advances in AI technology, and the need for improved human-machine communication. Several factors are propelling this growth, including advancements in AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP), large datasets, and the rising importance of seamless human-machine interaction. Additionally, private LLMs are gaining traction as businesses seek more control over their data and customization. These private models provide tailored solutions, reduce dependency on third-party providers, and enhance data privacy. This guide will walk you through building your own private LLM, offering valuable insights for both newcomers and seasoned professionals. What are Large Language Models? Large Language Models (LLMs) are advanced AI systems that generate human-like text by processing vast amounts of data using sophisticated neural networks, such as transformers. These models excel in tasks such as content creation, language translation, question answering, and conversation, making them valuable across industries, from customer service to data analysis. LLMs are generally classified into three types: LLMs learn language rules by analyzing vast text datasets, similar to how reading numerous books helps someone understand a language. Once trained, these models can generate content, answer questions, and engage in meaningful conversations. For example, an LLM can write a story about a space mission based on knowledge gained from reading space adventure stories, or it can explain photosynthesis using information drawn from biology texts. Building a Private LLM Data Curation for LLMs Recent LLMs, such as Llama 3 and GPT-4, are trained on massive datasets—Llama 3 on 15 trillion tokens and GPT-4 on 6.5 trillion tokens. These datasets are drawn from diverse sources, including social media (140 trillion tokens), academic texts, and private data, with sizes ranging from hundreds of terabytes to multiple petabytes. This breadth of training enables LLMs to develop a deep understanding of language, covering diverse patterns, vocabularies, and contexts. Common data sources for LLMs include: Data Preprocessing After data collection, the data must be cleaned and structured. Key steps include: LLM Training Loop Key training stages include: Evaluating Your LLM After training, it is crucial to assess the LLM’s performance using industry-standard benchmarks: When fine-tuning LLMs for specific applications, tailor your evaluation metrics to the task. For instance, in healthcare, matching disease descriptions with appropriate codes may be a top priority. Conclusion Building a private LLM provides unmatched customization, enhanced data privacy, and optimized performance. From data curation to model evaluation, this guide has outlined the essential steps to create an LLM tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re just starting or seeking to refine your skills, building a private LLM can empower your organization with state-of-the-art AI capabilities. For expert guidance or to kickstart your LLM journey, feel free to contact us for a free consultation. 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

October 19, 2024in Artificial Intelligence, Data, Google, Salesforce, Technology

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