IBM has announced new hybrid technologies aimed at breaking down barriers to scaling enterprise AI, as revealed at the company's annual THINK event. These advancements are designed to enable businesses to build and deploy AI agents using their own data, addressing the growing need for seamless integration and orchestration in increasingly fragmented environments.

According to IBM, over one billion apps are expected by 2028, necessitating efficient scaling solutions. A recent study by IBM's CEO highlights that business leaders anticipate AI investment growth rates to more than double within two years. However, only a quarter of AI initiatives have met expected returns on investment due to disconnected technology.

Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, stated: "The era of AI experimentation is over. Today's competitive advantage comes from purpose-built AI integration that drives measurable business outcomes." He emphasized IBM's role in equipping enterprises with hybrid technologies to simplify complex processes and accelerate production-ready AI implementations.

IBM's watsonx Orchestrate offers a comprehensive suite of agent capabilities compatible with over 80 leading business applications. This includes tools for building custom agents quickly and pre-built domain agents for specific functions like HR and sales. The platform also provides agent orchestration for complex project coordination and observability features for performance monitoring.

In response to integration challenges faced by enterprises using disparate systems across cloud environments, IBM is introducing webMethods Hybrid Integration. This solution aims to replace rigid workflows with intelligent automation, offering significant ROI benefits according to an independent Forrester Consulting study.

IBM is also focusing on unlocking unstructured data for generative AI through its evolving watsonx.data platform. The company plans to enhance data activation capabilities with open data lakehouse technology and introduce new tools for orchestrating data across formats.

Furthermore, IBM is launching its most secure Linux platform yet—IBM LinuxONE 5—capable of processing up to 450 billion AI inference operations daily. This platform includes advanced security offerings and integrations with quantum-safe encryption technology.

Testimonials from various organizations highlight the impact of IBM's innovations across industries such as finance, healthcare, automotive, aerospace, telecommunications, consumer goods, and professional services.

For further details about these announcements or other news from the THINK event, visit the IBM Newsroom.