Author: Sergey Lukyanchikov, C-NLTX/Open-Source
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this document reflect the author's subjective perspective on the current and potential capabilities of jBPM.
This text presents jBPM as a platform for orchestrating external AI-centric environments, such as Python, used for designing and running AI solutions. We will provide an overview of jBPM’s most relevant functionalities for AI orchestration and walk you through a practical example that demonstrates its effectiveness as an AI orchestration platform:
In Brief: About jBPM
jBPM (Java Business Process Management) is an open-source integration platform with a workflow engine at its core. Although the jBPM project defines itself as a BPM (Business Process Management) or workflow engine, toolkit, or suite, we argue that describing it as an integration platform is more precise.
The features that support this characterization include:
- Exposing business logic implemented in jBPM for external access – e.g., via REST API:
- Providing an engine for business process automation:
- Embedding components for interaction with external providers – e.g., with Python:
These capabilities enable jBPM to interact with external systems, make automation decisions, and manage callouts to external providers efficiently.
How jBPM Orchestrates Python
jBPM’s Python integration can be implemented in various ways. Our current approach utilizes Jep (Java Embedded Python), a Java extension that allows interaction with Python interpreters. When combined with jBPM’s business process automation (e.g., script task activity), this enables a solid, foundational level of Python orchestration:
Although Jep enables Python integration, it has usability barrier that may require workarounds during initial implementation.
A Practical Example: Stroke Prediction
A comprehensive illustrative example of jBPM orchestrating Python is our solution for training AI models and estimating stroke risk in a set of patients. In a hospital or clinical setting, physicians use an EMR (Electronic Medical Record) system like open-source OpenEMR (or any other software allowing customization of user screens). Stroke prediction requests may originate from various sections of the EMR, typically within a patient’s file:
The physician selects the Stroke Prediction AI solution and submits a prediction request to jBPM, where the AI logic is deployed:
jBPM processes the request, orchestrating the AI logic and Python computations, and returns the estimated stroke risk to OpenEMR:
The stroke risk is initially calculated in jBPM before being returned to OpenEMR for the physician:
This prediction workflow, when visualized end-to-end, appears as follows:
Meanwhile, an analyst monitoring the AI models’ performance can retrain and publish updated models:
Similar to the physician’s workflow, the analyst selects the AI solution and submits a train/validate/ test request to jBPM:
jBPM logs and executes the training process:
Results are computed and returned to OpenEMR:
Load testing confirms that jBPM efficiently handles simultaneous user requests for both prediction and model training without bottlenecks or data leaks:
What Makes jBPM an AI Orchestration Platform?
Given its ability to orchestrate AI workflows, one may ask: Does jBPM have sufficient surrounding functionality to be considered a full-fledged AI orchestration platform?
Let’s examine the ecosystem around jBPM. Its “nearest neighbor” is likely Eclipse, the preferred IDE (Integrated Development Environment) for jBPM, particularly due to plugins like Eclipse BPMN2 Modeler:
Eclipse enhances jBPM by enabling offline development. The aforementioned plugins allow developers to perform most tasks locally that jBPM’s web-based client supports. Moreover, as a highly extensible modular IDE, Eclipse provides tools to meet virtually any requirement faced by development teams.
Another key “neighbor” is PostgreSQL, one of several database engines that can be configured to support jBPM’s underlying data structures:
PostgreSQL’s ability to store jBPM’s technical data unlocks vast opportunities for data mining and optimizing AI solutions deployed within jBPM.
In this context, it is logical to mention another key “neighbor” – BIRT (Business Intelligence Reporting Tool) – BIRT is one of open-source BI engines capable of extracting, transforming, and reporting on both technical and business data managed by jBPM:
Together, Eclipse, PostgreSQL, and BIRT, along with jBPM’s core capabilities, form a robust AI orchestration platform that facilitates AI model deployment, execution, and optimization.
For more: C-NLTX/Open-Source
