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WPP and IBM have announced the launch of WPP Open for B2B, a new AI-driven business-to-business marketing solution powered by IBM's watsonx platform. This initiative aims to address complex B2B marketing challenges by accurately identifying and engaging buying groups, thus enhancing clients' return on investment. IBM is the first user, aiming to accelerate its AI-driven marketing transformation. The collaboration includes LinkedIn to leverage its unique insights on buyer groups. Key features include the AI-powered Buying Group Brain™ model, orchestration and optimization tools, and a CMO command center. These capabilities are designed for enterprise-scale integration, security, and governance.

Telefónica Tech and IBM have announced a new collaboration to drive AI, analytics, and data management solutions for enterprises in Spain. This partnership includes the deployment of SHARK.X, a hybrid, multi-cloud platform. The agreement aims to tackle the challenges of managing new technologies in a dynamic environment, helping businesses leverage AI for digital transformation.

This collaboration will see the establishment of a use case office for developing customer pilots and MVPs, and offering training and certifications. IBM's watsonx AI and Data platform will be central to this initiative. Telefónica Tech will provide professional services to customize and integrate these solutions for clients, focusing on data governance and regulatory compliance.

The partnership builds on previous collaborations, including hybrid cloud-based solutions and AI-driven virtual assistants. The SHARK.X platform will include IBM technologies like IBM Cloud Pak for Data, watsonx, and Cognos to manage enterprise data, analytics, and AI applications.

IBM and The All England Lawn Tennis Club have launched 'Catch Me Up,' a new generative AI feature for Wimbledon’s digital experience. Built with IBM's Granite Large Language Model (LLM) via the watsonx platform, it provides AI-generated player stories and match analysis. The feature delivers personalized pre- and post-match content, including performance analysis and winning predictions, on Wimbledon’s website and app. It also offers longer-form daily summaries of play, aiming to enhance fan engagement globally. According to an IBM survey, 55% of global tennis fans believe AI positively impacts sports.

IBM's recent study reveals that AI could create job opportunities for Gen Z, despite their concerns about job security. According to the study, 40% of CEOs plan to hire additional staff due to generative AI, and 51% are hiring for new AI roles that didn't exist last year. However, over half of these CEOs are struggling to fill key technology roles. IBM's Chief Impact Officer, Justina Nixon-Saintil, emphasizes the importance of AI skills for meaningful employment and suggests that young people leverage free online resources to learn AI basics, ethics, and prompt writing.

IBM has pledged to train 1 million women and girls in Asia-Pacific over five years, aligning with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Upskilling Initiative. As of June 2024, nearly 650,000 have been trained. This effort addresses the disparity in STEM education and career opportunities for women, identified by UNESCO and IBM studies.

IBM's holistic approach involves collaborations with various organizations across the region. Examples include partnerships in Japan for LGBTQ+ empowerment, AI and cybersecurity education in Malaysia and Indonesia, and cybersecurity training in the Philippines.

Stories of individual successes, such as Ashley Pojol from the Philippines and Shilpi Pachauri from India, highlight the transformative impact of IBM's SkillsBuild program. IBM’s broader goal is to skill 30 million people globally by 2030, with 11.5 million already trained.

This initiative underlines IBM's commitment to equitable impact and underscores the societal benefits of empowering women through education and skills development.

IBM's recent study reveals that 66% of banking and financial markets (BFM) CEOs are prioritizing generative AI and automation for competitive gains, despite associated risks. Notably, 65% of financial leaders believe success hinges on employee adoption rather than technology, while 60% are pushing AI adoption at an uncomfortable pace. Half of the surveyed CEOs are hiring for AI-related roles that didn't exist a year ago, but 53% struggle to fill critical tech positions. The study highlights the importance of cultural change, as 64% of CEOs emphasize that customer trust is important for success. Despite challenges in collaboration and workforce adaptation, 72% of CEOs aim to accelerate transformational change in 2024.

IBM celebrated its Volunteer Excellence Awards, recognizing IBMers for their outstanding community contributions in 2023. Volunteers across 12 countries engaged in diverse projects like coding workshops for girls and food distribution in low-income areas. Highlights include collaborations in Italy with Differenza Donna, aiding gender-violence survivors with digital skills, and in Japan's Miyakojima island, developing an energy forecasting model to boost clean energy self-sufficiency. Each awardee received a $10,000 grant for a chosen nonprofit. IBM aims to reach 4 million volunteer hours, emphasizing the impact of every employee's efforts.

Rapidus and IBM announced a joint development partnership to establish mass production technologies for chiplet packages. The collaboration builds on an existing agreement for 2nm node technology. Rapidus will leverage IBM's expertise in semiconductor packaging to innovate in high-performance chips. This partnership is part of Japan's NEDO project focused on developing 2nm-generation semiconductor technology. Engineers from both companies will work at IBM's North American facilities for R&D and manufacturing. The deal aims to strengthen Japan's role in the semiconductor supply chain.

Sustainability leaders from Coca-Cola HBC, EY, and IBM have emphasized the significant role of corporate governance in their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. During a discussion highlighted by IBM's Vice President of ESG Strategy and Programs, Jonah Smith, the consensus was that corporate governance encompasses an internal system of practices, controls, and procedures designed to ensure ethical conduct, legal compliance, and effective decision-making. Smith underscored IBM’s commitment to integrating innovations and policies that enhance ESG progress, underpinned by ethics, trust, transparency, and accountability.