Microsoft partners with LiveTiles on AI accelerator program for Australian partners

Microsoft and AI software developer LiveTiles has unveiled an AI accelerator program aimed at helping partners improve their AI capabilities and to be able to develop and deploy AI solutions for their customers.

The AI Spark partner program will launch in Australia first, followed by the US and Europe, with the goal of bringing in ten Australian partners to the fold over the next three months.

“Australian businesses are now striving for intelligent transformation and they want to control their own digital destinies – using tools that allow them to take an intelligent DIY approach, and develop sophisticated, impactful solutions without the need for coding,” LiveTiles chief executive Karl Redenbach said.

“Through this new partner program, we expect to help accelerate AI adoption within the enterprise.”

At least three Microsoft partners that have used the LiveTiles Bots platform have agreed to join AI Spark, namely Veritec, Velrada and Engage Squared.

LiveTiles Bots is a 'no-code' bot builder powered by Microsoft Azure’s bot framework and language understanding intelligence service, which users the ability to create an AI tool based on their needs and within the platforms they’ve invested in.

Microsoft rolled out the technology to its US partners in December last year, driving LiveTiles’ stock price to a 41 percent spike in the ASX at the time.

“This is an important opportunity for Microsoft Partners and helps democratise access to intelligence,” Microsoft Australia managing director Steven Worrall said.

“The AI Spark Program has been designed to equip participating partners with the skills and vision that will make them AI-ready and primed to help drive intelligent transformation for their enterprise customers.”

He added that with the help of LiveTiles Bots, the program can help “bridge the gap” between human and artificial intelligence and “significantly augment” what individuals can achieve. Partners will also have access to Microsoft’s Azure based AI and cognitive services.

In May, LiveTiles acquired US-based AI software company Hyperfish, adding its employee profile and directory management offering to LiveTiles’ workplace platform.