International Business Machines Corporation - IBM STOCK NEWS

IBM and Microsoft have opened three new Experience Zones in Bucharest, Buffalo, and Leicester, expanding their global reach. These zones, along with the existing one in Bangalore, aim to help clients across industries explore generative AI, hybrid cloud, and other Microsoft technologies to transform their businesses. The zones offer hands-on access to technologies like Microsoft Azure, Azure Open AI Service, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft Dynamics.

IBM consultants, with over 46,000 Microsoft certifications, work with clients to identify and solve unique business challenges using cloud and AI solutions. The partnership focuses on delivering innovative solutions and enabling business transformation through AI-powered services. IBM's commitment to Microsoft as a strategic partner is further demonstrated by recent initiatives like the IBM-Microsoft Copilot Hackathon, which saw 250 client teams exploring AI-based solutions to improve productivity and streamline business processes.

IBM's Institute for Business Value and the Banking Industry Architecture Network (BIAN) conducted a global survey revealing a significant disconnect between small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and banks. The study, titled 'Banking for Small and Medium Enterprises: Serving the World Economy with Data and AI', highlights that banks may be missing opportunities to foster growth in the SME market due to their focus on risk reduction and regulatory compliance.

Key findings include:

• Less than 6% of bank executives graded their SME banking services with an 'A'
• SMEs prioritize understanding of their unique needs, while banks focus on apps and branch proximity
• 64% of bank executives recognize the value of technology architecture standards

The report recommends that financial institutions invest in ecosystem platforms, adopt enterprise-wide approaches to emerging technologies, and embrace AI and automation to enhance SME client offerings.

IBM and UNDP have launched two innovative models on UNDP's GeoHub platform to address global energy challenges. The Electricity Access Forecasting AI model, powered by IBM watsonx, forecasts electricity access through 2030 for 102 countries in the Global South. The Clean Energy Equity Index, a statistical geospatial model, generates a score reflecting clean energy development opportunities and urgency for 53 African countries.

These models, developed through the IBM Sustainability Accelerator program, aim to support data-driven decision-making for a just energy transition. By making these tools freely accessible on UNDP's GeoHub, the collaboration empowers policymakers, organizations, and community members with insights to make impactful energy decisions worldwide.

IBM's Smart Talks series recently featured a discussion on AI in education, highlighting the potential of technologies like IBM SkillsBuild to democratize learning access. The episode, hosted by Dr. Laurie Santos, brought together Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM's VP and Chief Impact Officer of Corporate Social Responsibility, and April Dawson, an Associate Dean of Technology and Innovation and law professor.

The conversation centered on lifelong learning, upskilling, and the ethical considerations of integrating AI into educational settings. This dialogue reflects IBM's ongoing commitment to exploring and shaping the future of education in an AI-driven world, emphasizing the importance of adapting to technological advancements while addressing potential ethical challenges.

IBM's Vice President of Environmental Social Governance Strategy and Programs, Jonah Smith, expressed enthusiasm about AI's potential in accelerating climate change mitigation during an interview on The Sustainable Nation Podcast. Smith highlighted AI's role in tracking and reporting climate impacts, as well as its application in initiatives like IBM's Sustainability Accelerator Program. He emphasized the urgency of climate action, stating, "We're past the tipping point. The time is yesterday in terms of how we need to act on this stuff." Smith's comments underscore IBM's commitment to leveraging technology for environmental sustainability and reflect the company's strategic focus on addressing global climate challenges.

Century Park Capital Partners has announced that IBM (NYSE: IBM) has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire its portfolio company, Accelalpha. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2024, subject to customary conditions. Accelalpha, founded in 2009, is a leading global provider of Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications consulting, implementation, and managed services.

Since Century Park's investment in 2020, Accelalpha has undergone significant transformation, including investments in sales & marketing, implementation of an ERP system, establishment of managed services, and creation of nearshore and offshore delivery centers. The company also completed four add-on acquisitions, expanding its Oracle service capabilities globally. As a result, Accelalpha's revenue more than quadrupled under Century Park's ownership.

IBM has expanded its consulting services to help Oracle clients maximize generative AI investments and optimize costs. The company is launching an expanded network of consultants, including thousands certified in Oracle technologies and skilled in IBM watsonx AI. These experts will help clients extend high-value generative AI use cases, choose appropriate AI models, and guide critical decisions on technology architecture and security risks.

IBM also announced its intent to acquire Accelalpha, a global Oracle services provider, to further expand its Oracle consulting expertise. The company is already assisting Oracle clients in applying generative AI, traditional AI, and automation to complement Oracle Fusion Applications' embedded AI offerings in various sectors.

IBM and ESPN are enhancing the ESPN Fantasy app with generative AI technologies from IBM's watsonx platform. The update includes new 'Top Contributing Factors' within Waiver Grade and Trade Grade features, offering more detailed reasoning for player grades. These enhancements are powered by IBM's Granite large language model and aim to provide a more personalized experience for over 12 million fantasy football users.

A recent survey by IBM and Morning Consult reveals that 90% of fantasy football users regularly engage with AI-related tools, and 82% use trade and waiver suggestions to improve their lineups. The collaboration between IBM and ESPN Fantasy Football, now in its eighth year, continues to leverage watsonx technologies to transform complex football data into actionable insights for fantasy team owners.

IBM has announced its intent to acquire Accelalpha, a global Oracle services provider, to expand its Oracle consulting expertise. The acquisition will strengthen IBM's capabilities in supply chain, logistics, finance, enterprise performance management (EPM), and customer transformation. Accelalpha, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, will join IBM Consulting, bringing a large global team of skilled consultants to help clients modernize with Oracle Cloud Applications.

Accelalpha's expertise spans the Oracle Cloud Applications Suite, including Oracle SCM, ERP, EPM, CX, and CPQ. The company has a strong presence across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America, focusing on distribution, industrial, and financial services sectors. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.