SEI announced on March 9 that it is partnering with IBM to accelerate its enterprise transformation through the use of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. The collaboration aims to modernize SEI’s operations, innovation processes, and client service delivery.
The initiative is designed to help SEI improve productivity and enhance the client experience by streamlining interactions, expanding automation of routine tasks, and enabling consistent outcomes for long-term value. By leveraging AI, SEI seeks to build a modern, data-enabled operating foundation that supports sustainable growth.
Sean Denham, SEI’s Chief Financial and Chief Operating Officer, said, “As SEI enters its next phase of growth, investing in how we operate is just as critical as investing in what we deliver. IBM brings deep industry and technical expertise that will build on our strong operational foundation and strategic vision. By deploying and scaling AI across the enterprise through a disciplined, data‑driven approach, we will work more efficiently, innovate faster, and scale with confidence.”
Denham also said, “Automation will enable our teams to spend less time on manual, repetitive work and more time on higher‑value, relationship‑driven activities—further elevating service quality, strengthening trust among our clients, and creating more opportunities for professional growth. By making automation the engine of growth and AI its enabler, SEI is innovating with purpose to build a data‑powered foundation for the future.”
Glenn Finch, Head of U.S. Financial Services at IBM Consulting said: “SEI has a long-standing reputation for operational excellence and building integrated solutions in a complex, highly regulated industry. By combining SEI’s deep knowledge of its business with IBM’s expertise in process intelligence and agentic AI, we can unlock new levels of efficiency across the enterprise. With streamlined operations and data‑centric insights embedded into how work is performed, SEI is strengthening its ability to scale while further differentiating itself in the market.”
IBM will work closely with subject matter experts at SEI to assess processes and systems while identifying opportunities for embedding agentic AI into daily operations. The company plans to use IBM’s Enterprise Advantage platform as part of this strategy.
