International Business Machines Corp - IBM STOCK NEWS

At the IBM Think conference on May 21, 2024, IBM revealed its collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to integrate the full watsonx AI and data platform with AWS services.

Key highlights include the introduction of watsonx.governance on AWS, aimed at helping clients scale AI responsibly. This integration supports compliance with regulations like the EU AI Act by managing model risk and governance for AI initiatives.

The watsonx platform, including watsonx.ai and watsonx.data, will be available on AWS Marketplace, offering customers flexibility, scalability, and enhanced AI governance.

IBM's hybrid cloud strategy and collaboration with AWS aim to streamline workflows, accelerate AI projects' time-to-market, and manage AI across complex IT environments. This initiative is expected to add value to clients' AI endeavors and strengthen AI governance and compliance.

IBM announced new updates to its watsonx platform at the THINK conference, emphasizing open-source AI development, data, and automation capabilities. Key initiatives include releasing the Granite models into open source, launching InstructLab with Red Hat, and strengthening collaborations with major tech firms like AWS, Adobe, and Microsoft. IBM aims to infuse generative AI into various products and services, with new AI assistants and enhanced GPU offerings. The company plans to offer new data products and capabilities for AI workloads, and its acquisition of HashiCorp is set to bolster multi-cloud automation. CEO Arvind Krishna highlighted IBM's commitment to open-source innovation, likening it to the success of Linux and OpenShift.

IBM's latest study reveals that CEOs are rapidly adopting generative AI, facing workforce and cultural challenges. Of the 3,000 CEOs from 30+ countries surveyed, 64% indicate that AI success depends on people's adoption, not just technology. However, 61% are pushing for faster implementation than some employees are comfortable with. Nearly half are hiring for new AI roles, but 56% haven't assessed AI's workforce impact. 47% foresee workforce reduction or redeployment due to AI in the next year. The study highlights the need for a cultural shift, with 57% of CEOs valuing cultural change over technical challenges for becoming data-driven. Governance is critical, yet only 39% have good AI governance. CEOs aim for innovation, but focus on short-term targets may hinder long-term progress.

Palo Alto Networks (PANW) and IBM have announced a strategic partnership to deliver AI-powered security solutions. Palo Alto Networks will acquire IBM's QRadar SaaS assets, integrating them into its Cortex XSIAM platform. IBM will provide security consulting services across Palo Alto's platforms and train over 1,000 consultants on these products. The partnership includes a joint Security Operations Center and Cyber Range to enhance client understanding of Palo Alto's security solutions. IBM will utilize Palo Alto’s AI-powered security platforms internally for its extensive workforce. This collaboration aims to address complex cybersecurity challenges through AI-driven innovations, accelerating growth and adoption of advanced security operations.

IBM has announced the expansion of Qiskit, its quantum software stack, which now supports over 100 qubits. The enhanced Qiskit SDK version 1.x focuses on performance and stability to facilitate complex quantum circuits, offering a 39x speed increase and 3x reduction in memory usage compared to previous versions. New features include AI-powered optimization, simplified execution modes, and a generative AI-powered code assistant. Qiskit aims to help users discover new quantum algorithms and advance quantum computing utility, benefiting enterprises, government organizations, and research institutions globally.

IBM introduced IBM Copilot Runway, a new offering to assist enterprises in integrating copilots' generative AI to enhance productivity. The company collaborates with Microsoft to develop copilots for various industries and use cases, such as procurement, customer service, and employee experience. IBM Consulting is expanding its Microsoft copilot capabilities globally to co-create AI-powered solutions with clients.

ServiceNow and IBM have collaborated to accelerate the impact of generative AI across the enterprise. The integration combines the Now Platform with IBM watsonx to boost productivity for customers and partners. ServiceNow will incorporate watsonx.ai and IBM Granite large language models into its Now Assist GenAI experience, allowing customers to connect their workflows to models trained within watsonx.ai.

IBM and SAP announced a partnership to collaborate on generative AI capabilities and industry-specific cloud solutions. The initiative aims to help clients unlock business value, accelerate innovation, and become next-generation enterprises through generative AI. The partnership focuses on next-generation AI business processes, industry innovation, platform architecture, and ecosystem expansion.

IBM SkillsBuild is providing free AI resources for teachers to enhance student learning during Teacher Appreciation Week. Teachers can access curriculum maps, lesson plans, student worksheets, and hands-on activities to supplement existing curriculum with AI skills. The program also offers toolkits on various topics like cybersecurity, sustainability, and professional skills. Teachers and students can benefit from over 1,000 free courses available on IBM SkillsBuild.