Datacentrix announced the achievements of two graduate teams in the recent IBM watsonx Generative AI Challenge. The teams secured first and third place in the AI Assistant Challenge track.
This interactive, hands-on competition aimed to move beyond theoretical generative AI concepts. It encouraged participants to create practical, AI-driven solutions for real-world customer needs.
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IBM Generative AI Challenge Innovative Bots
Competing against teams from 44 countries across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa [EMEA] region. Datacentrix’s X-men team, composed of graduates from Cape Town and Johannesburg, won first place. While the Quadbots team from Durban took third. These teams represented the Southern Hemisphere among the competition’s winners.
The IBM watsonx Generative AI Challenge included three core tasks. Analyzing customer experience through prompt engineering with watsonx.ai; automating manual tasks with watsonx Orchestrate; and creating an AI-powered virtual assistant with watsonx Assistant and watsonx Discovery.
The X-men team developed a bot that improves Datacentrix’s client engagement processes by accessing a data repository to deliver current, accurate information, including use cases, brochures, and cost estimates. They also created a ticket-handling bot for generating one-time passwords and resetting pins in real time. The Quadbots team built a brainstorming bot to capture and analyze ideas, providing valuable user feedback.
“The success of our graduates in this challenge underscores Datacentrix’s dedication to nurturing talent and driving AI innovation. Our focus is on solutions informed by client needs, with tangible, measurable benefits to their enterprises.” Commented Arno Hanekom, Digital Strategist at Datacentrix.
Graduates Equipped with AI Skills for Future Success
“This year, we took a different approach to training, focusing on equipping graduates with technology skills aligned with data and AI-specific client demands, as well as understanding the market landscape for AI in South African enterprises. The goal is for these graduates to contribute to Datacentrix’s AI capabilities and intellectual property, ensuring strong skills retention and supporting local technical expertise.”
Since joining the Datacentrix graduate program in April 2024, the eight graduates have undergone rigorous training, including bi-weekly certifications, technical assessments, and practical assignments, equipping them with IBM watsonx skills essential for the challenge.
“Their success in the IBM watsonx Challenge demonstrates the strength of their skills and the effectiveness of Datacentrix’s graduate training program. We look forward to their future contributions to our AI capabilities and the broader business landscape.” Says Shakeel Jhazbhay, General Manager: Digital Solutions at Datacentrix.