The AI Revolution: Transforming Industries and Technology
4 min read
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, is not just a tech term. It’s reshaping entire industries, from healthcare to finance, retail to manufacturing. The key role of information technology (IT) is evolving as well. No longer is it limited to automating processes.
Today, insight is the new currency. The faster we can scale these insights, the better our competitive edge. This shift is driving a huge interest in deep learning and AI, also known as cognitive computing, especially by IBM.
AI Transformation Across Industries
AI is not just a buzzword; it promises to change entire industries. Whether it’s healthcare, finance, retail, or manufacturing, AI has the potential to transform technology itself. With the evolving role of information technology (IT), it is no longer merely about automating processes or codifying business logic.
Insight has become the new currency. The speed at which insights are scaled and the knowledge derived from them creates the foundation for value and competitive advantage. This shift has sparked significant interest in deep learning and AI, with IBM referring to this as cognitive computing.
A Surge in AI Investment
According to IDC, global spending on AI-related hardware and software is anticipated to surpass $57.6 billion in 2021. This is a dramatic increase from the $12 billion spent in previous years. The true power of AI lies in unlocking actionable insights from massive, often unstructured data.
Unstructured data includes anything from written reports, videos, and social media posts, to spoken words. IBM’s introduction of Watson and its AI cloud platform marks a significant step in this journey to reinvent computing for a new era.
Technological Evolution for Cognitive Workloads
To meet the demands of cognitive workloads, the entire tech stack needs to evolve, from algorithms and mathematics to hardware and cloud deployment. The right architecture is essential for organizations to ingest and analyze large datasets rapidly.
IBM’s new systems are designed from the ground up for the AI Era. The introduction of the POWER9 processor, the first specifically designed for AI, and the POWER9-based IBM Power System AC922, are significant milestones. These systems leverage specialized silicon like GPUs to accelerate the math and information processing required for new cognitive algorithms.
This development creates an AI superhighway that can drive transformational outcomes across various industries. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) aims to build the world’s fastest supercomputer, equipped with POWER9 processors and NVIDIA’s Volta-based Tesla GPUs, capable of executing two billion calculations every second.
IBM’s Continuous Innovation
IBM is pioneering advancements in silicon, hardware, and software. They support an open ecosystem, referred to as “innovation protection,” to ensure quick market delivery of innovations that address dynamic infrastructure needs.
An integrated approach to cognitive infrastructure is essential. IBM focuses on both software and hardware that are optimized to work together and taps into IBM Research innovations such as Distributed Deep Learning on PowerAI.
The Real Promise of AI
AI aims to revolutionize industries and professions fundamentally. It seeks to develop a new understanding of customers and markets while identifying risks and opportunities.
AI opens new frontiers for innovation within organizations and society at large. This potential makes AI not just a tool but a transformative force that will enable unprecedented advancements.
Imagine a world where businesses anticipate needs before they arise, healthcare is predictive rather than reactive, and financial models adapt in real-time. This is the promise AI holds, and it’s why industries are investing heavily in its development and implementation.
Case Study: U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides a perfect example of AI’s potential. Their Summit and Sierra supercomputers, soon to be among the world’s most powerful, use POWER9 processors and NVIDIA’s newest GPUs.
Their objective is to create a supercomputer that can perform 200 Petaflops, or two billion calculations per second, aimed at solving the world’s most complex problems. This showcases the enormous potential computing power AI can bring to scientific research.
IBM’s POWER9: A Peek Under the Hood
IBM’s new POWER9 processor is crafted to handle free-flowing data, streaming sensors, and algorithms required for data-heavy AI workloads. The processor is built using 14nm technology and contains an impressive eight billion transistors.
AI is more than just a technological advancement; it’s a monumental shift in how industries operate and compete. From healthcare to finance, retail to manufacturing, AI is transforming not just businesses but technology itself.
The role of information technology (IT) is evolving, with insight becoming the new currency. Fast and accurate data analysis opens new possibilities and competitive advantages. As AI continues to evolve, it will bring innovations we can only begin to imagine.
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