IBM, Anaconda Partner to Embed Python into Enterprise AI
IBM has partnered with Anaconda, a leading data science and AI platform, to embed Anaconda’s curated repository of open source Python packages into the IBM watsonx enterprise AI offering.
Under this partnership, IBM watsonx users will be able to access Anaconda’s base open source software (OSS) repository and have the option to upgrade to Anaconda’s premium, paid repository with advanced security features for the enterprise.
In addition, watsonx users will be able to build AI applications in a fraction of the time by using any of the thousands of the latest and most secure OSS Python packages and AI frameworks, said Barry Libert, CEO of Anaconda.
“Open source Python and its rich ecosystem have become essential foundations for modern AI and that’s why it’s never been more important to find partners you can trust,” Libert said in a statement. “This partnership with IBM watsonx will help solve many of the challenges surrounding deploying AI in the enterprise, particularly when it comes to governance.”
This partnership with IBM watsonx will help to bring new AI and data solutions to partners, he added. The partnership will embed Anaconda’s Python open source packages into Watsonx to help enterprises accelerate and scale AI adoption.
Easier and More Secure at Scale
Together Anaconda and watsonx aim to make building, testing, and deploying AI applications easier and more secure at scale.
Capabilities provided through the partnership include not only accessing thousands of Python packages, but also building prompts for foundation models, keeping data private, leveraging open source AI frameworks, and securing the AI supply chain.
The partnership combines IBM’s AI expertise with Anaconda’s ability to streamline collaboration, development, and deployment of enterprise AI apps.
Watsonx users will be able to use foundation models to meet enterprise needs, with easy-to-use tools for building and refining performant prompts to achieve desired outcomes.
Moreover, both individuals and large enterprises can more effectively build generative AI applications or advanced statistical modeling with Anaconda’s secure repository.
In addition, this partnership will help users to secure the enterprise AI software supply chain with the Anaconda Repository by IBM, which provides additional security with vulnerability analysis, an open source policy engine, channel management, and open source security best practices, Anaconda said.
watsonx
The IBM watsonx AI and data platform includes three core components and a set of AI assistants. The core components include: a studio for new foundation models, generative AI and machine learning; a fit-for-purpose data store built on an open data lakehouse architecture; and a toolkit, to accelerate AI workflows that are built with responsibility, transparency and explainability, IBM said in a description of the platform.
IBM announced watsonx last year as a full technology stack that enables users to train, tune and deploy AI models, including foundation models and machine learning capabilities.
“With the development of foundation models, AI for business is more powerful than ever,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM Chairman and CEO at the announcement of watsonx last May. “Foundation models make deploying AI significantly more scalable, affordable, and efficient. We built IBM watsonx for the needs of enterprises so that clients can be more than just users, they can become AI-advantaged. With IBM watsonx, clients can quickly train and deploy custom AI capabilities across their entire business, all while retaining full control of their data.”
In addition, last October IBM launched watsonx Code Assistant, a generative AI-powered assistant that helps enterprise developers and IT operators code more quickly and more accurately using natural language prompts. As part of that launch, IBM introduced a mainframe application modernization tool, watsonx Code Assistant for Z, for the translation of COBOL to Java.
Anaconda and the AI Alliance
Meanwhile, last week Anaconda announced its membership in the AI Alliance, an international community of developers, researchers, and organizations dedicated to promoting open, safe, and responsible AI.
As a member of the AI Alliance Anaconda joined IBM and other industry leaders like Meta, Oracle, and Snowflake to collaboratively advance AI innovation while ensuring its accessibility and safety.
“This journey is more than AI — it’s the shared pursuit for a future guided by scientific curiosity, relentless innovation, and boundless access in which technology uplifts businesses and society to the highest standards of integrity and responsibility,” Libert said in a statement. “Anaconda is fully committed to advancing AI transformation, and participating in the AI Alliance mission is a strategic leap forward in this endeavor. This partnership will combine our expertise in open source data science with the collaborative power of this esteemed community.”
Anaconda said it has more than 45 million users taking advantage of what the company calls its operating system for AI providing access to the foundational open source Python packages used in modern AI, data science and machine learning.
