IBM focuses on streamlining workflows with AI agents and automation

IBM is pushing beyond traditional AI applications by integrating AI agents and automation into existing workflows, as highlighted during its Put AI To Work event in Utrecht. The company’s focus is on creating a seamless orchestration layer to manage these technologies, even if they aren’t built on IBM’s platform.

Orchestration Layer: The Key to Efficiency

IBM’s watsonx Orchestrate is designed to simplify complex processes by combining automation with AI agents. Parul Mishra, IBM Vice President of Global Sales, emphasized that natural language interactions enabled by AI can empower employees without deep technical expertise. For example, an employee could update their phone number across systems without navigating multiple screens.

Mishra noted that future employees, raised on tools like ChatGPT, will expect similar simplicity in the workplace. To address this, IBM is positioning itself as a neutral platform for AI agent aggregation, competing with Salesforce’s Agentforce and ServiceNow’s offerings. IBM’s advantage lies in its extensive partnerships and ability to integrate disparate systems, a task Mishra describes as "hellish" but within IBM’s capabilities.

Balancing Autonomy and Control

IBM acknowledges the need for both deterministic workflows (hardcoded processes) and dynamic AI-driven decisions. Mishra highlighted a case where an AI agent autonomously updated a user’s phone number in a default field, raising questions about transparency and user consent. The company advocates for a gradual approach to autonomy, with human oversight remaining critical.

Governance and Client Engineering

IBM embeds governance directly into watsonx Orchestrate, using "patterns" to ensure compliance and data security. These patterns evolve from simple routing rules to advanced automation planning. Meanwhile, IBM’s Client Engineering teams, led by Peter den Haan, work closely with customers to translate AI ambitions into tangible solutions. For instance, Damen Shipyards used IBM’s AI to detect errors in shipbuilding specifications, saving time and costs.

The Road Ahead

IBM’s strategy centers on watsonx Orchestrate as a foundational layer for future workflows, avoiding the pitfalls of constant innovation churn. Den Haan stressed the importance of stability, noting that growing companies benefit most from new AI integrations. With AI becoming a magnet for talent, IBM’s orchestration platform aims to meet the expectations of a new generation of workers.

For more details on AWS’s multi-agent orchestration, check this link.