IBM is making decisive steps in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), with a strong emphasis on an “open architecture” approach. During a conversation at the Milken Institute Global Conference, IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna discussed the company’s AI strategy and the importance of responsible innovation under a regulatory framework.

Addressing potential regulatory concerns, Krishna expressed his stance: “I am pro. As long as it is light touch and allows innovation to happen, I absolutely will be pro regulation. If regulation tries to reduce innovation, I think that’s a problem.”

IBM’s commitment to open architecture is a central pillar of its AI projects.

“In order to drive open, what we are doing is we’re taking some of our base models, as Mira has done, and we are putting them out under an open license or the Apache license, which means people are free to build upon it,” said Krishna.

This open approach, according to Krishna, addresses intellectual property challenges in the enterprise space: “The customer is using their own data to actually educate the model. I think that gets rid of the whole question of copyright and fair use.”

IBM is introducing a new technology called “Instruct Lab,” which allows clients to customize AI models with their own data and methodologies, ensuring proprietary information remains within the enterprise’s control.

Krishna believes that an open architecture fosters innovation and competition, aligning with regulatory objectives.

“Well, I would caution there would be some guardrails that are always put. But in my experience, open technologies have always been safer and more secure than closed technologies,” he stated.

By embracing an “open architecture” strategy and collaborating with industry partners like Meta through the AI Alliance, IBM aims to strike a balance between driving responsible AI innovation and addressing regulatory concerns around safety, competition, and intellectual property rights.

As the AI landscape evolves, IBM’s approach positions the company as a pioneer in developing enterprise-focused AI solutions that prioritize ethical practices, data privacy, and open collaboration — paving the way for a future where AI augments human capabilities while adhering to robust governance frameworks.