HCLTech, Microsoft to build generative AI CoE, train 10,000 engineers

HCLTech has announced a partnership with Microsoft to develop joint solutions in generative artificial intelligence. HCLTech will also establish a Microsoft Cloud Generative AI Center of Excellence (GenAI CoE) to0 develop personalised and data-driven solutions for enterprises. This is the second generative AI CoE announced by HCLTech. It closely follows on the heels of a similar collaboration with Google to build Google Cloud GenAI CoE.

The HCLTech-Microsoft partnership will allow clients to use Azure OpenAI Service to enhance productivity, streamline operations, and accelerate application development. Azure OpenAI service offers Representational State Transfer (REST) API access to OpenAI’s language models like GPT-3 and Codex.

“By leveraging the latest Microsoft innovations in AI and machine learning, businesses can gain valuable insights into their operations, improve decision-making processes and achieve greater success,” said Kalyan Kumar, chief technology officer and head, Ecosystems, HCLTech.

Further, HCLTech and Microsoft willoffer skills development program to certify 10,000 of the former’s engineers in advanced AI technologies. This program will offer access to exclusive resources and tools. HCLTech will also adopt Microsoft 365 and Viva Copilot capabilities to enhance its business processes, and boost employee productivity.

“HCLTech has deep domain expertise across industries, making it uniquely able to utilise Azure OpenAI to deliver solutions that help customers transform and drive growth,” said Kelly Rogan, corporate vice president, Global System Integrators and Advisory Partners, Microsoft.

HCLTech offers end-to-end AI capabilities in areas like chip development and business process optimisation. By building strategic partnerships with Microsoft and others, HCLTech aims to drive adoption of generative AI across industries, the company said in a statement.

Last week, Capgemini announced a partnership expansion with Google Cloud to establish a center of excellence (CoE) for generative AI. Called the Generative AI Google Cloud CoE, it will help customers with value creation from their AI investment. In May, IBM announced that it has established a CoE for generative AI.