Putting small language models under the microscope
We’ve spent the past few years discussing large language models, the huge AI models that power a lot of the generative AI tools that have dominated the headlines.But small language models are also possible – and rapidly growing in popularity. What benefits do these tiny AI models offer, and how much use will they get in the coming months and years, and how do they differ from other lightweight, ‘low latency’ models?In this episode, Jane and Rory take a look at some of the smallest AI models on the market, asking what they're for and if they could be the future of the technology.Read more:Small language models are growing in popularity — but they have a “hidden fallacy” that enterprises must come to terms withSmall language models set for take-off next yearGoogle’s new ‘Gemma’ AI models show that bigger isn’t always betterMicrosoft wants to take the hassle out of AI development with its ‘Models as a Service’ offeringThree open source large language models you can use todayChinese AI firm DeepSeek has Silicon Valley flustered
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21:17
Google Cloud Next 2025: Targeting easy AI
Las Vegas has been taken over by Google Cloud this week, with Google Cloud Next 2025 in full flow. There have already been a number of headline grabbing announcements: we've seen the launch of a powerful new AI accelerator chip by the name of Ironwood, huge updates to Google Cloud's security capabilities, and new agentic AI development kits for enterprises. But there's been much, much more on top.In this episode, Ross Kelly, news and analysis editor at ITPro, speaks to Rory about Google Cloud's messaging at its annual conference and what the mood on the ground is at Google Cloud Next 2025.Read more:Google Cloud Next 2025: All the live updates from the day two keynoteGoogle Cloud wants to tackle cyber complexity – here's how it plans to do itGoogle Cloud announces major computing boost with Ironwood chip, new hypercomputer upgradesForeign AI model launches may have improved trust in US AI developers, says Mandiant CTO – as he warns Chinese cyber attacks are at an “unprecedented level”Google shakes off tariff concerns to push on with $75 billion AI spending plans – but analysts warn rising infrastructure costs will send cloud prices sky highGoogle Cloud Next 2025 is the hyperscaler’s chance to sell itself as the all-in-one AI platform for enterprises
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Is the IT service desk dying out?
When something goes wrong with IT at work, chances are you’ll be asked to submit a service ticket. This is a tale as old as time – see a problem, submit a ticket, wait for the service desk to come to your help.But all this could be set for change. Advances in technology have opened the door to software problems being detected and remediated automatically, while internal learning platforms could also provide employees with the information they need to fix issues themselves.How will all this come together, and is it really just around the corner?In this episode, Jane and Rory speak to Samuele Gantner, chief product officer at Nexthink, to get a better understanding of the direction IT support is headed and why the service desk might soon be a thing of the past.
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SPECIAL EDITION: Harnessing unstructured data to fuel AI
The rule that your AI is only as good as your data is now well understood, with businesses all over the world looking to modernize their data sources and infrastructure to make the most of AI products and services. But something that can be easily lost in these discussions is consideration of the exact format your data exists in at rest. Unstructured data is especially important for AI and knowing where it fits into your AI strategy is essential. This doesn’t just mean knowing where it resides and capturing it, but also storing it in architecture that makes it searchable, secure, and accessible whenever you need it.In this special edition of the ITPro Podcast, in association with Nasuni, Jane and Rory are joined by Jim Liddle, chief innovation officer of data intelligence and AI at Nasuni, to discuss using unstructured data in the most effective way possible.
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March rundown: Four-day weeks and Nadella's AGI skepticism
March is very nearly at an end and it’s been quite a month for diverging views in the industry.Satya Nadella, CEO at Microsoft, has spoken out against the tech sector’s apparent fixation on achieving AGI while comparing the potential for AI to the rise of Excel spreadsheets in business. The Microsoft chief has turned his attention to the material benefits of AI, as we enter a crunch year for AI developers.Elsewhere this month, UK tech firms are being offered support with adopting a four-day week, which could have major benefits for staff and a major security blogger has fallen victim to a classic cyber attack.In this episode, Jane and Rory welcome back Ross Kelly, ITPro’s news and analysis editor, to discuss some of the most noteworthy news from across the month.Read more:‘The entire forecasting business process changed’: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says Excel changed the game for enterprises in 1985 – he’s confident AI tools will do the sameOpenAI says it’s charting a "path to AGI" with its next frontier AI model'Digital hide-and-seek': Workers are wasting hundreds of hours a year sourcing the information they need to carry out their roleAgentic AI investment is putting the cart before the horse200 UK firms have now adopted a four-day working week – and Brits are convinced it will become the norm within five yearsUK tech firms have a chance to trial a four-day week this year – here's how other pilot schemes faredHave I Been Pwned owner Troy Hunt’s mailing list compromised in phishing attackWhat is phishing?
The ITPro Podcast is a weekly show for technology professionals and business leaders. Each week hosts Rory Bathgate and Jane McCallion are joined by an expert guest to take a deep dive into the most important issues for the IT community. New episodes premiere every Friday. Visit itpro.com/uk/the-it-pro-podcast for more information, or follow ITPro on LinkedIn for regular updates.
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