IBM & Microsoft Expand AI Accessibility for Tech Skills Gap

The global technology skills gap continues to widen, with a projected shortage of 85 million tech workers by 2030, potentially costing the world economy US$8.5tn in unrealised annual revenues.

Initiatives providing hands-on experience with AI and cloud solutions are crucial in bridging this gap, fostering innovation and driving economic growth across diverse industries worldwide.

Aiming to face this challenge of bridging the technology gap for businesses worldwide, IBM and Microsoft have deepened their partnership by launching three new Experience Zones.

These centres, located in Romania, USA and UK, showcase the combined technological prowess of these tech companies, offering hands-on access to advanced technologies such as generative AI and hybrid cloud solutions.

This collaboration between IBM, a global leader in hybrid cloud and AI services and Microsoft, a pioneer in software and cloud computing, represents a strategic alliance aimed at helping businesses navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The partnership leverages IBM's consulting expertise with Microsoft's cutting-edge technologies to provide comprehensive solutions for various industries.

Showcasing AI and Cloud solutions

The Experience Zones serve as interactive hubs where clients can explore and experiment with a range of Microsoft technologies.

These include Microsoft Azure, Azure OpenAI Service and Microsoft Copilot.

The centres demonstrate how these technologies can be applied to solve real-world business challenges across different sectors.

For instance, in the financial services sector, companies like JPMorgan Chase or Barclays could explore how Microsoft Copilot might streamline loan application processes.

In healthcare, organisations such as the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK could assess ways to use Microsoft Azure solutions for secure, cloud-based access to patient files across multiple clinics.

Brian Wood, Research Director at IDC, a global market intelligence firm, notes: "The IBM-Microsoft Experience Zones will give clients and prospects an opportunity to explore potential solutions that leverage the strengths of both organisations.

“The combined tools and platforms for data and AI show synergy in many environments and business processes."

Deepening the IBM-Microsoft partnership

This initiative marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between IBM and Microsoft.

IBM Consulting has been working closely with Microsoft to bring cloud and generative AI solutions to market through its dedicated practice of Microsoft practitioners globally.

The partnership extends beyond the Experience Zones.

For example, IBM and Microsoft recently hosted a Copilot Hackathon, where 250 client teams explored and co-created AI-based solutions to improve productivity and streamline business processes.

This event showcased IBM Consulting's Copilot Runway offering, which allows enterprises to create and deploy customised, tailored copilots.

Chris McGuire, Vice President and General Manager for the Global Microsoft Strategic Partnership at IBM, emphasises the importance of this collaboration: "With these three new Experience Zones, and client-focused engagements like our recent hackathon, IBM continues to highlight its commitment to – and momentum with – Microsoft as a strategic partner to deliver joint solutions for clients globally."

IBM and Microsoft’s global reach and future plans

The strategic placement of these new Experience Zones expands IBM's ability to engage with clients globally.

IBM reports that its consultants already hold over 46,000 Microsoft certifications and aims to add 10,000 generative AI certifications by the end of 2024.

As client interest in Microsoft technologies continues to grow, IBM is considering expanding the Experience Zones to additional global Client Innovation Centers in the future.

This expansion underscores the company's commitment to its partnership with Microsoft and its goal of delivering joint solutions to clients worldwide.

Dinis Couto, GM of GSI Commercial Partners at Microsoft, highlights the transformative potential of these centres: "Our partnership with IBM to establish three new Experience Zones will enable even more customers to create ground breaking and transformative AI-powered services and solutions."

This collaboration between IBM and Microsoft represents a significant step in making advanced AI and cloud technologies more accessible to businesses across various industries, potentially accelerating digital transformation on a global scale.

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