International Business Machines Corporation - IBM STOCK NEWS

IBM has launched an AI-based virtual assistant in partnership with Seoul, South Korea, as part of the city's "I Care You" project to gauge citizen challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistant, developed with Watson Assistant, will collect data on health impacts, social isolation, and changes in daily life affecting residents. This initiative aims to inform policymakers and improve city services. The project was completed in three weeks and is also hosted on the IBM cloud.

IBM has achieved a new milestone in quantum computing, reaching a Quantum Volume of 64 on a 27-qubit system, enhancing its performance and system capabilities. This improvement results from new software and hardware techniques that optimize quantum circuits, critical for achieving Quantum Advantage. Over the last four years, IBM has deployed 28 quantum computers and has 115 members in its IBM Q Network. With more than 250,000 registered users, they execute over 1 billion hardware circuits daily on the IBM Cloud.

IBM announced the launch of its next-generation POWER10 processor, designed for hybrid cloud computing. Utilizing 7nm technology, POWER10 promises up to 3x greater energy efficiency and workload capacity than the previous POWER9 model. Key features include multi-petabyte memory clusters, enhanced security with transparent memory encryption, and AI performance improvements, expected to be 10x to 20x faster for various calculations. The new processors are anticipated to hit the market in the second half of 2021, enhancing enterprise-grade hybrid cloud architectures.

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has entered a multiyear agreement with IBM to enhance its operations through a hybrid cloud environment utilizing Red Hat solutions. This partnership aims to streamline IT infrastructure, reduce operational costs, and leverage AI and data analytics for improved business insights. CCEP's CIO emphasized the confidence gained from previous collaborations with IBM, while IBM's SVP highlighted the tailored cloud solutions for CCEP's needs. This initiative continues their cloud journey initiated in 2018, underscoring a commitment to digital transformation.

IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced the launch of Watson Advertising Social Targeting with Influential, a new AI-driven solution that identifies influencers aligned with brands' values. This tool leverages Watson Natural Language Understanding to analyze social media data, ensuring brand-safe partnerships and enhancing ROI through real-time campaign measurement. As brands adapt to evolving advertising strategies, this collaboration with Influential supports data-driven decisions, showcasing the significance of influencer marketing in driving consumer engagement.

IBM and the University of Tokyo have launched the Quantum Innovation Initiative Consortium (QIIC) to enhance Japan's quantum computing capabilities. This consortium, building on a previous partnership from December 2019, aims to foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government. Key members include prestigious universities and major corporations. The QIIC will provide access to IBM's quantum systems, including a dedicated IBM Q System One planned for Japan in 2021, promoting research and development in quantum technology.

IBM's 2020 Cost of a Data Breach Report reveals an average breach costs companies $3.86 million, with 80% of breaches exposing customer personally identifiable information (PII). Compromised employee accounts are the most costly breaches, with expenses increasing to $4.77 million when credential theft is involved. Organizations using automated security technologies saw costs cut to $2.45 million. State-sponsored attacks were the most damaging, averaging $4.43 million. The study, based on data from over 500 organizations, highlights the growing financial risks posed by remote work.

IBM Services and CBRE are expanding their partnership to enhance technology support for data center clients. The new offering, Smart Maintenance, utilizes IBM's AI and analytics for vendor-agnostic hardware maintenance. This collaboration allows CBRE technicians to leverage IBM's AI and augmented reality technologies for efficient IT support across various manufacturers. The initiative aims to reduce client costs by minimizing maintenance complexities while improving productivity through automated support processes. The agreement was signed in Q1 2020.