Accenture recently struck a deal with AI developer Cohere to make its GenAI models available to clients. It also recently bought online learning platform Udacity to expand its services in this area, such as for the Accenture LearnVantage program.
Accenture wants to give its clients even more options for GenAI and recently signed a partnership deal with AI developer Cohere. The consultant and integrator will provide its enterprise clients with the AI startup’s various LLM models and search functionality within this agreement. This should provide them with customized GenAI solutions to improve their productivity and efficiency in their business segments. This is based on domain-specific or proprietary data.
Cohere technology used
The collaboration mainly involves using the proprietary Command LLM model, combined with Cohere’s business Embed models and Rank tool. The Command model provides conversational functionality, making it well-suited for building applications for summarizing text and chat.
The Embed models enhance search applications using companies’ data and documents. They also help retrieve so-called Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) systems. The AI developer argues that Cohere’s solutions are well suited for this technology.
RAG technology helps improve the timing and accuracy of GenAI content. It also helps minimize hallucinations from AI models, which generate clear but factually incorrect answers.
Furthermore, the Rerank tool helps business users perform semantic search queries to get more relevant and accurate answers to their queries.
Accenture has already successfully applied Cohere’s technology for eiegen internal solutions. These include the Command LLM, which supports a powerful internal agent for the Finance and Treasury teams.
Also read: What is Retrieval-Augmented Generation?
Udacity acquisition
In addition to focusing more on GenAI, the consultant and integrator is now investing more in online learning platforms. More specifically, Accenture recently acquired AI-based online learning platform Udacity for an undisclosed amount.
With the purchase of this platform, the consultant and integrator aims to offer its clients primarily and online training platform that allows employees to further expand their knowledge and skills for technology, data and AI.
The Udacity platform offers online learning opportunities, especially knowledge and skills that employees can immediately apply in the workplace. To this end, the platform offers a mix of online courses and direct “human” instruction. It also features self-developed content, expert services and a scalable learning methodology designed to bring together online learning and relevance to daily work activities.
Basis for Accenture LearnVantage
The acquisition of the online learning platform also provides an important foundation for the Accenture LearnVantage program recently introduced by the consultancy and integration firm.
Accenture is investing $1 billion in this program over the next three years and aims to help clients train their employees on knowledge and skills in data and AI. These include customized technology training programs, specialized “predesigned” tech academies, ecosystem certification services and managed services that allow clients to roll out learning opportunities independently.
The program also includes so-called “nanodegree” and certified online programs that allow employees to develop more hands-on experience and industry-specific skills.
In addition, this learning and training program collaborates with several partners to provide needed GenAI content, industry-specific training, and cloud certifications. These include AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft. It also collaborates with other online learning and training providers such as Pluralsight, Cousera, Workera, and Skillsoft.
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