IBM has officially opened watsonx AI Labs in New York City, a dedicated innovation space designed to empower AI developers and accelerate enterprise adoption of AI. The lab, located at One Madison in Manhattan, brings IBM’s global engineering power into the heart of one of the world’s fastest-growing AI ecosystems.
The new facility represents IBM’s developer-first approach, acting as a collaborative space where top-tier AI builders, researchers, and business leaders can come together to create scalable, real-world AI solutions tailored for enterprise needs.
“This isn’t your typical corporate lab,” said Ritika Gunnar, General Manager of Data & AI at IBM. “watsonx AI Labs is where the best AI developers gain access to world-class engineers and resources and build new businesses and applications that will reshape AI for the enterprise.”
An AI Hub Built for Co-Creation
With watsonx AI Labs, IBM aims to fuel innovation by linking its technological capabilities with the entrepreneurial spirit of New York’s tech scene. The lab will work closely with startups, scale-ups, and large enterprises to co-develop AI applications in key areas such as supply chain optimization, cybersecurity, responsible AI governance, and open-source AI development.
IBM engineers and researchers will collaborate shoulder-to-shoulder with emerging talent, offering mentorship, infrastructure, and pathways to scale.
Betting on New York’s Growing AI Ecosystem
New York City has quickly become one of the world’s most important AI hubs. Over 2,000 AI businesses already operate in the city, and between 2022 and 2023, the number of AI workers increased by almost 25%, according to Tech:NYC. New York-based AI businesses have raised an estimated $27 billion in funding since 2019.
“IBM’s launch of watsonx AI Labs signals a transformative investment in New York’s innovation ecosystem,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “By bringing together world-class engineering talent, emerging startups, and deep enterprise expertise right here in the heart of the city, this initiative strengthens New York’s position as a global hub for responsible and cutting-edge AI development.”
Seek AI Acquisition to Boost Capabilities
During the introduction, IBM also revealed that it will purchase technology and personnel from Seek AI, a startup based in New York that specializes in AI agents that assist businesses in unlocking the potential of their internal data.
Seek AI’s team and innovations will now become a key component of watsonx AI Labs, enhancing IBM’s ability to create intelligent, agentic solutions for businesses.
“Building a foundational part of watsonx AI Labs allows us to pair our expertise in building data agents with IBM’s engineering depth to solve clients’ toughest AI challenges,” said Sarah Nagy, CEO of Seek AI. “We’re excited to tackle these challenges here in New York City, where Seek AI was founded and the AI talent and innovation ecosystem is thriving.”
Investing in Local Talent and the Future of AI
IBM’s initiative also extends support to local startups. The lab’s AI-focused entrepreneurs will have access to IBM experts, business mentorship, and possible funding from IBM Ventures’ global $500 million Enterprise AI Venture Fund over the course of the next five years.
In an effort to develop a talent pipeline for artificial intelligence and promote cooperation between academics and business, the lab also intends to establish alliances with nearby universities and research centers.
Looking Ahead
Watsonx AI Labs will concentrate on creating domain-specific AI tools to address some of the most complex challenges businesses face today, such as customer service automation, cybersecurity, and ethical AI governance. It represents a major expansion of IBM’s watsonx ecosystem and a strategic move to deepen its AI presence in the enterprise market.
To learn more about the program, developers and companies interested in participating should visit www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-ai-labs
IBM, a pioneer in AI and hybrid cloud technologies, keeps enhancing its position as a force behind industry-wide digital transformation.
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