Data Trends Shaping AI’s Future with NVIDIA’s Agentic AI CTO
Feb 5, 2025
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Bartley Richardson, CTO of NVIDIA AI agentic software, shares his expertise in AI and cybersecurity development. He discusses the transformative power of agentic AI in customer service and workplace efficiency. The challenges of managing diverse data formats are explored, with Bartley emphasizing the need for tailored AI solutions for specific business problems. He provides insights into the future of AI and the importance of data literacy, while also reflecting on his own journey and inspirations in the tech field.
The transformative potential of generative and agentic AI is reshaping customer service by enhancing efficiency and user interactions.
AI leaders must prioritize employee needs and customize tools for specific use cases to navigate the complexities of diverse data sources.
Deep dives
Transformative Power of Generative AI
Generative AI is seen as one of the most exciting advancements in technology today, with the potential to radically transform how organizations operate. This technology has evolved to a point where the capabilities offered now meet users' expectations in practical and meaningful ways. For example, companies are utilizing generative AI to implement AI agents that can perform tasks on behalf of users, enhancing efficiency and opening new opportunities for innovation. This transformation is characterized by regular breakthroughs and new developments that continually push the boundaries of what AI can achieve.
Understanding Agentic AI
Agentic AI refers to systems that possess a degree of agency to take actions on behalf of users, enriching the concept of generative AI. By integrating large language models (LLMs) with the ability to access various tools, agentic AI can perform complex actions such as executing SQL queries or managing customer relationship management (CRM) systems. This concept builds upon previous developments in generative AI, providing a structured approach to problem-solving and automation for businesses. Organizations leveraging agentic AI can see improved productivity and enhanced user interactions through more effective task management.
Customer Service as a Primary Use Case
The customer service sector is poised to see significant adoption of generative AI, addressing longstanding pain points such as frustrating phone trees and inadequate support. AI agents in these scenarios can provide consistent information, learn from interactions, and operate empathetically in ways that traditional systems cannot. For instance, NVIDIA has seen companies successfully implement customer service blueprints that utilize their technology to streamline customer interactions. The potential of this technology not only enhances customer satisfaction but also alleviates pressure on human agents, allowing them to focus on more complex inquiries.
Evaluating AI Tools and Technologies
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, AI and tech leaders must carefully evaluate which solutions align with their organizations' specific needs, often prioritizing employee feedback and pain points. While there may be a temptation to implement a one-size-fits-all solution from a single vendor, the realization is growing that customizing tools for various operational needs can yield better outcomes. The discussions advocate for leadership to balance between trusting established solutions and exploring innovative, specialized tools that cater to unique business functions. By incrementally adopting AI for targeted use cases, organizations can navigate the complexity of the market and position themselves as pioneers in the digital workforce.
Your host, Cindi Howson, and CTO of NVIDIA AI agentic software, Bartley Richardson, discuss the transformative potential of generative and agentic AI in business, focusing on customer service, HR, and workplace innovation. They explore real-world use cases, the challenges of managing diverse data sources, and the tools and technologies shaping the future of AI which lead to….
Data Challenges: Cindi and Bartley discuss the complexities of managing structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data in the context of generative AI. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by different data formats.
Tools and Technologies: Bartley provides guidance for AI and tech leaders on evaluating and building AI agents, emphasizing the importance of listening to employee needs and selecting the right tools for specific use cases.
Real-World Use Cases: The conversation digs into practical applications of agentic AI, with a focus on customer service and software development. Bartley highlights examples of how companies are using AI agents to improve efficiency and productivity.
The Future of AI: The episode concludes with a look ahead at the future of AI, with Bartley sharing his optimism for the transformative potential of agentic AI and offering advice for data and AI leaders
Discover the creative facets that inspire Bartley and how data has been a driving force in his life since earning his PhD.
Key Moments:
Understand agentic AI: Bartley explains how agentic AI is one of the most exciting and transformative developments in the AI space, evolving from generative AI and LLMs (large language models) to create systems capable of taking actions on behalf of users. (2:20)
Use Case Summary - AI-Powered Agentic Workflows at NVIDIA: NVIDIA has embraced agentic AI workflows to enhance both employee efficiency and customer experience. A prime example is their implementation of Agent Morpheus, a system designed to streamline software delivery and security processes. (13:16)
AI is the new HR: Bartley highlights how generative AI has been effectively applied in HR, particularly in employee handbooks and onboarding documents. HR documents, often buried in PDFs, contain a wealth of structured data, making them a rich source for AI applications. (15:26)
Data ingestion within the future of data processing: Bartley hones in on the primary concern of how data is ingested and how structured queries are executed in ways that align with business needs. The technology is progressing rapidly, but refinement is still needed for impactful data usage. (37:43)
Key Quotes:
"Generative AI and agentic AI are really exciting because we're finally at the point where the experience of using AI meets our expectations. It's no longer just a label or something that might be statistics; it's something meaningful in our day-to-day life." -Bartley Richardson
"If I had to pick the time to be alive and in this industry, it would be right now. The amount of progress just leaps every day, with new breakthroughs, announcements, or capabilities that didn't exist the day before." -Bartley Richardson
"AI does not absolve you of critical thinking and this data literacy thing. If anything, it amplifies the need for this." -Bartley Richardson
Bartley Richardson is CTO of NVIDIA AI agentic software and Director of Engineering for cybersecurity AI development and product engagement, including accelerated computing and generative AI. Previously, Bartley was a technical lead on multiple DARPA research projects. He was also the principal investigator of an Internet of Things research project which focused on applying machine and deep learning techniques to large amounts of IoT data to provide intelligence value relating to form function, and pattern-of-life. His primary research areas involve NLP and sequence-based methods applied to cyber network datasets as well as cross-domain applications of machine and deep learning solutions to tackle the growing number of cybersecurity threats. He holds a PhD in Computer Science and Engineering with a focus on AI.