International Business Machines Corporation - IBM STOCK NEWS

Red Hat has announced an expanded collaboration with Microsoft to enhance artificial intelligence and generative AI deployments in the cloud. Red Hat Enterprise Linux AI (RHEL AI) will be available on Azure Marketplace as an optimized foundation model platform for Microsoft Azure environments. The platform aims to provide consistency and scalability for organizations building and deploying gen AI models across hybrid cloud environments.

RHEL AI features enterprise-grade, open source-licensed Granite models and InstructLab tooling for model alignment. The platform will be available on Azure Marketplace in December 2024, joining other Red Hat AI offerings like Red Hat OpenShift AI and Azure Red Hat OpenShift.

IBM has announced Autonomous Security for Cloud (ASC), an AI-powered solution leveraging Amazon Bedrock's generative AI to automate cloud security management and decision-making in AWS environments. The solution addresses key challenges identified in IBM's 2024 Cloud Threat Landscape report, where misconfigurations and compliance failures were noted as top threats. ASC will use generative AI and automation to provide continuous monitoring, immediate adjustments, and proactive threat mitigation, while automating security control deployment and compliance management. The solution will be globally available in December 2024.

IBM and UFC have announced a groundbreaking partnership making IBM the UFC's first-ever Official Global AI Partner. The collaboration will introduce the UFC Insights Engine, powered by IBM's watsonx AI platform, set to launch in early 2025. The system will provide real-time analysis, fight insights, and outcome predictions across UFC's viewing platforms, reaching fans in 170 countries. The engine will leverage IBM's Granite large language models and UFC's data feeds to deliver advanced analytics, fighter tendencies, and match projections, integrating these insights into UFC's broadcasts, social media, and venue displays.

IBM announced significant quantum computing advancements at its Quantum Developer Conference. The new IBM Quantum Heron processor, combined with enhanced Qiskit software, can now accurately execute quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gate operations, nearly doubling previous capabilities. The system demonstrates 50x faster processing compared to 2023 experiments.

The company introduced new software tools including AI-based capabilities and partner services through the Qiskit Functions Catalog. Research institutions like RIKEN and Cleveland Clinic are utilizing these advances to explore chemical and biological systems, marking progress toward quantum-centric supercomputing and quantum advantage targeted for 2029.

IBM's State of Sustainability Readiness Report 2024 reveals that 88% of business leaders plan to increase IT investments for sustainability in the next 12 months. While 90% of executives believe AI will positively impact sustainability goals, 56% of organizations aren't currently using AI for this purpose. The study, conducted across 15 industries and 9 countries, highlights a significant perception gap between top executives and staff regarding sustainability initiatives.

Key findings show that 48% of sustainability IT investments are 'one-off' rather than regular budget items, and 50% of leaders report immature data for measuring sustainability KPIs. The report identifies financial planning as the top challenge, while resource efficiency metrics like renewable energy consumption and recycling are the primary sustainability KPIs.

IBM released the 'AI in Action' report based on a survey of 2,000 companies across five countries, identifying key characteristics of AI Leaders - the top 15% of businesses effectively leveraging AI. The study reveals that two-thirds of AI Leaders reported 25%+ improvement in revenue growth rate. Four key differentiators emerged: 71% of Leaders make aggressive AI investments, 61% show confidence in data management, 72% demonstrate C-suite-IT alignment, and Leaders are twice as likely to customize AI solutions effectively. The research was conducted by Harris Poll among large companies with >$500M revenue or >1,000 employees.

IBM has announced a multi-year partnership with Scuderia Ferrari HP as their official Fan Engagement and Data Analytics Partner starting in 2025. The collaboration will focus on developing a reimagined mobile app featuring personalized content and innovative features powered by IBM's technology and data analytics expertise. The partnership aims to enhance fan experience by analyzing Ferrari's current and historical data to deliver custom insights. IBM will also provide cutting-edge technology to increase speed and production efficiency. This alliance joins IBM's portfolio of sports partnerships, including Wimbledon, US Open, and Masters Tournament.

IBM has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $1.67 per common share, payable on December 10, 2024 to stockholders of record as of November 12, 2024. This announcement maintains IBM's remarkable track record of paying consecutive quarterly dividends since 1916, demonstrating over a century of consistent shareholder returns.

IBM has announced plans to collaborate with universities to provide education on generative AI and AI career readiness. The initiative aims to educate 2 million people worldwide about AI by the end of 2026. The company will expand its IBM SkillsBuild platform, which offers free courses on various technology topics.