At IBM Think 2025, CEO Arvind Krishna unveiled the company’s ambitious plans to revolutionize enterprise AI adoption and infrastructure. With a focus on hybrid cloud solutions, AI agent integration and strategic acquisitions, IBM aims to address the challenges hindering AI success in businesses.

IBM Think 2025: Top Announcements

Here are some of the biggest announcements of IBM Think 2025.

Enhancing AI Success Rates

Krishna highlighted a critical insight: only 25% of CEOs are achieving the expected return on AI investments. He attributed this low success rate to the siloed nature of AI implementations, where AI systems often operate independently of existing enterprise infrastructures.

To counter this, IBM emphasizes an integrated approach, combining AI with hybrid cloud environments at IBM Think 2025. Krishna stated, “If you begin with the right approach, you can take your success rate up double, maybe triple, of that 25 percent.” IBM’s platform supports a wide array of AI models from partners like Mistral and Llama, offering enterprises flexibility and scalability in their AI deployments .

The Rise of AI Agents

Looking ahead, Krishna anticipates the creation of over 1 billion new applications powered by generative AI. A significant portion of these applications will be built using AI agents, which are expected to redefine how applications are developed. These agents facilitate automation, reduce development time, and enhance productivity. Consulting firms, for instance, are leveraging IBM’s Watsonx and AI models to streamline operations, enabling them to serve a broader client base and achieve cost efficiencies .

Strategic Acquisition: HashiCorp

In a move to bolster its hybrid cloud capabilities, IBM acquired HashiCorp for $6.4 billion in February and followed it up by acquiring Hakkuda. At IBM Think 2025, HashiCorp’s co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Armon Dadgar, discussed the synergies between HashiCorp’s tools, like Terraform and IBM’s offerings.

He emphasized the importance of automation in managing multi-cloud environments, stating, “The world is really moving toward a multi-cloud era where hybrid infrastructure is the default.” HashiCorp’s solutions aim to standardize workflows, unify platforms, and manage resources efficiently, addressing challenges related to fragmented teams and tools .

Economic Resilience Through AI

Despite economic uncertainties, Krishna observed that businesses are increasing their AI investments. AI is seen as a catalyst for productivity, cost savings, and revenue scaling.

At IBM Think 2025 he announced that EY is building part of its tax consultancy services on IBM’s AI models, enhancing productivity and enabling them to serve a wider range of clients at reduced costs. Krishna noted that AI’s ability to intersect these three areas makes it a unique and valuable technology for businesses navigating challenging financial climates .

Quantum Computing: A Glimpse into the Future

Krishna also provided insights into IBM’s advancements in quantum computing at IBM Think 2025. The company has developed 75 actual quantum computers, accessible via the cloud, with 13 currently available for use. Collaborating with over 250 industry and academic partners, IBM aims to make quantum computing mainstream within the next four to five years. Krishna envisions significant advantages emerging from these technologies in the near future .

Conclusion

IBM Think 2025 showcased the company’s strategic initiatives to lead in the AI and hybrid cloud sectors. By focusing on integrated AI solutions, fostering the development of AI agents, and leveraging strategic acquisitions like HashiCorp, IBM is positioning itself as a key player in the evolving technological landscape. Krishna’s vision underscores the importance of a cohesive approach to AI adoption, emphasizing that with the right strategies, businesses can unlock the full potential of artificial intelligence.

Which of these announcements at IBM Think 2025 are you excited about and why? Share it with us in the comments section below.