IBM recently announced the establishment of a new watsonx AI Labs innovation center in New York City, aimed at "accelerating" the pace of AI technology development and rapidly scaling its widespread application. Located within IBM's office in Manhattan, the lab is designed to connect AI developers and startups with IBM’s network of researchers and engineers, supporting the advancement of enterprise-level intelligent AI systems.

IBM

The watsonx AI Labs will focus on addressing everyday commercial challenges, including customer service, supply chain optimization, cybersecurity, responsible AI governance, and open-source AI, among other areas. IBM stated that the establishment of this innovation center is closely tied to the rapid growth of New York City's AI industry. According to Tech:NYC data, New York City currently has over 2,000 AI startups, with its AI workforce growing nearly 25% between 2022 and 2023.

Ritika Gunnar, General Manager of Data and AI at IBM, said, "This is not a typical corporate lab. The watsonx AI Labs is a place where top-tier AI developers can access world-class engineers and resources to build new businesses and applications, reshaping enterprise AI." The lab plans to support startups launching AI business solutions through accelerators over the next five years, offering various IBM resources such as mentorship, expert support, and potential investments from IBM Ventures and the global $500 million Enterprise AI Venture Fund.

Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC, pointed out, "IBM's launch of the watsonx AI Labs marks a significant investment in New York's innovation ecosystem. This initiative further solidifies New York's position as a global leader in responsible and cutting-edge AI development." At the press conference, IBM also announced the acquisition of the technology of Seek AI, a startup based in New York City. Seek AI specializes in developing intelligent AI agents to help companies better understand and leverage their enterprise data. IBM stated that this technology will serve as a "foundational component" of the watsonx AI Labs.

Sarah Nagy, CEO and Founder of Seek AI, noted on LinkedIn that with the acquisition, the company will "expand our platform to deploy mission-critical solutions for IBM clients, empower the next generation of AI developers, and significantly expand our team."

Key Points:  

🌟 IBM launches the watsonx AI Labs in New York City to accelerate AI technology development and application.  

🚀 The lab will support startups, providing resources and investments, focusing on solving commercial challenges.  

🤖 IBM acquires Seek AI technology to better leverage enterprise data.