The Tech Blog Writer Podcast - Inspired Tech Startup Stories & Interviews With Tech Leaders, Entrepreneurs And Innovators

When I sat down with Leon Butler, the newly appointed CEO of IBM UK and Ireland, it felt like a timely check-in with one of the most influential forces in enterprise technology. Having taken on the role in January 2024 after leading IBM’s global data and AI division, Leon brings both technical depth and a clear strategic lens to what lies ahead. Our conversation couldn’t have been better timed, following the IBM Think conference and the company’s latest wave of announcements around agentic AI, enterprise models, and quantum computing. Leon offered an inside look at how IBM is responding to real-world business challenges with purpose-built, domain-specific AI tools. While the industry often gravitates toward large, generic models, IBM has chosen a different route, focusing on smaller, more efficient models that deliver measurable business outcomes. Their Granite model family and WatsonX orchestrate platform are helping companies streamline complex workflows, boost productivity, and integrate AI into operations