Wayne State University and Kyndryl announce collaboration to advance AI-driven manufacturing and workforce innovation in Detroit

Rhea-AI Summary

Wayne State University and Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) announced a multi-year collaboration to create IntelliMake, a research hub and pilot-scale factory at Wayne State's Anderson College of Engineering.

The initiative will co-develop AI-driven manufacturing demos, agentic AI, digital twins, and cybersecurity workshops; build demonstration pods and a mock autonomous assembly line; and provide hands-on workforce training to address readiness gaps cited in Kyndryl's 2025 Readiness Report.

The project aims to position Detroit and Michigan in the national $10 trillion smart manufacturing opportunity.

News Market Reaction

-1.06%

1 alert

-1.06% News Effect

On the day this news was published, KD declined 1.06%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Leaders expecting AI job impact: 87% Workforce readiness for AI: 29% Smart manufacturing opportunity: $10 trillion

3 metrics

Leaders expecting AI job impact 87% Kyndryl 2025 Readiness Report

Workforce readiness for AI 29% Kyndryl 2025 Readiness Report

Smart manufacturing opportunity $10 trillion Projected U.S. smart manufacturing market referenced for IntelliMake mission

Market Reality Check

Price: $23.00 Vol: Volume 2,179,039 is 1.12x...

normal vol

$23.00 Last Close

Volume Volume 2,179,039 is 1.12x the 20-day average of 1,938,688, indicating slightly elevated interest pre-announcement. normal

Technical Shares at 27.34 are trading below the 200-day MA of 32.29, reflecting a longer-term downtrend despite recent AI momentum.

Peers on Argus

KD is up 0.33% while close peers are mixed: G -1.81%, EPAM +0.36%, EXLS -0.57%, ...

KD is up 0.33% while close peers are mixed: G -1.81%, EPAM +0.36%, EXLS -0.57%, PSN -1.27%, GDS +5.19%. The modest uptick in KD appears more company-specific than sector-driven.

Common Catalyst Several peers also had news today (autonomous enterprise, investor day, M&A/contract wins), but KD’s Detroit AI manufacturing collaboration is distinct in focusing on an academic-industry AI hub rather than financial or corporate actions.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 06 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 06	Leadership transition	Neutral	+1.8%	Planned CHRO retirement with internal successor and advisory period.
Dec 16	AI recognition	Positive	-0.1%	Named Leader in agentic and generative AI in ISG report.
Dec 11	Security service launch	Positive	-1.1%	Launch of Quantum Safe Assessment for post-quantum cryptography readiness.
Nov 24	AI framework launch	Positive	-0.6%	Agentic AI Framework and mainframe AI services integrated with Kyndryl Bridge.
Nov 20	Partnership renewal	Positive	+0.6%	Three-year renewal with Vodafone Idea to transform IT and cyber resilience.

Pattern Detected

Recent AI-focused announcements often saw small or negative next-day moves, suggesting investor reactions to AI initiatives have been cautious rather than strongly upbeat.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, Kyndryl has highlighted leadership continuity, AI capabilities and strategic partnerships. On Jan 6, 2026, a CHRO transition with a named successor coincided with a 1.75% gain, indicating comfort with planned succession. Multiple AI-related launches and recognitions in November–December 2025 (agentic AI frameworks, quantum-safe services, and an ISG leadership ranking) saw modestly negative or muted moves. Against this backdrop, today’s Detroit-focused AI manufacturing collaboration fits the pattern of Kyndryl positioning its Agentic AI and Kyndryl Bridge platforms in real-world environments.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement expands Kyndryl’s AI strategy into manufacturing via the IntelliMake research hub ...

Analysis

This announcement expands Kyndryl’s AI strategy into manufacturing via the IntelliMake research hub and pilot-scale factory at Wayne State. It operationalizes the Agentic AI Framework and Kyndryl Bridge in a live assembly-line environment and targets a projected $10 trillion smart manufacturing opportunity. In the context of prior AI launches and surveys, investors may watch for concrete customer engagements, measurable efficiency gains, and how quickly lab demonstrations translate into scalable commercial offerings.

Key Terms

agentic AI, digital twins, autonomous manufacturing, intelligent agents, +1 more

5 terms

agentic AI technical

"train teams in agentic AI for manufacturing through hands-on experience"

Agentic AI refers to computer systems that can make their own decisions and take actions without needing someone to tell them what to do each time. It's like giving a robot a degree of independence to solve problems or achieve goals on its own, which matters because it could change how we work and interact with technology in everyday life.

digital twins technical

"host joint workshops on AI, cybersecurity and digital twins; and create"

Digital twins are virtual replicas of physical objects, systems, or processes that simulate their real-world counterparts in real time. They allow users to monitor, analyze, and predict how the actual entity will behave under different conditions. For investors, digital twins can provide valuable insights into performance and potential risks, helping to make better-informed decisions.

autonomous manufacturing technical

"The autonomous manufacturing and assembly line will reduce scrap and rework"

Autonomous manufacturing is a production system where machines, robots and software plan, control and adjust the making of goods with little human direction—like a self-driving factory where equipment coordinates itself much like smart appliances in an automated kitchen. It matters to investors because it can lower labor and error costs, speed up output, improve product consistency and make supply chains more resilient, all of which can raise profit margins and change capital and operational spending needs.

intelligent agents technical

"demonstrate how intelligent agents can detect, adapt to and recover"

Intelligent agents are software programs that act on their own to perform tasks, learn from data, and make decisions—like a digital assistant that researches options, executes trades, or automates customer service. For investors they matter because these agents can lower costs, scale services, create new revenue streams and competitive advantages, but they also introduce operational, performance and regulatory risks similar to hiring a high‑speed, unsupervised employee.

AI agents technical

"where AI agents, robotics and digital twins drive self-optimizing"

AI agents are computer programs designed to perform tasks or make decisions automatically, often by learning from data and adapting to new information. They act like virtual assistants or robots that can handle complex activities without human intervention, which can help businesses and individuals save time and improve efficiency. For investors, AI agents matter because they can enhance decision-making and automate processes that influence markets and financial outcomes.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

IntelliMake research hub will be established to develop and drive AI demos and projects

DETROIT and NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Wayne State University, a premier urban public research institution, and Kyndryl (NYSE: KD), a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, today announced a multi-year collaboration to establish the IntelliMake research hub and pilot-scale factory within the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering at Wayne State University. Through this collaboration, Kyndryl and Wayne State will co-develop and demonstrate intelligent and agentic AI manufacturing technologies on campus; host joint workshops on AI, cybersecurity and digital twins; and create demonstration pods at the IntelliMake lab.

According to Kyndryl's 2025 Readiness Report, 87% of leaders expect AI to reshape jobs within a year, yet only 29% feel their workforce is ready, underscoring the importance of proactive change management. Building on Kyndryl's launch of organizational change management services and enhanced Kyndryl Agentic AI Framework, Wayne State and Kyndryl will train teams in agentic AI for manufacturing through hands-on experience and demonstrate customer challenges in the lab to showcase the real-world solutions Kyndryl can develop beyond prototypes and decks.

"Despite significant advances in automation, many manufacturing operations remain rigid, siloed and reactive," said Onofrio Pirrotta, SVP & Managing Director, Kyndryl. "Through our collaboration with Wayne State on IntelliMake, we are working to replace brittle, fixed automation with resilient, people-centered innovation by combining people, process, and technology in one integrated environment. This will also give customers a hands-on view of what's possible by investing in and training the next generation of AI talent to lead the transformation."

"As an R1 university located in manufacturing heartland with strong industry ties, Wayne State is uniquely positioned to tackle the nation's manufacturing and workforce challenges," said Dr. Ali Abolmaali, dean of the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering. "IntelliMake exemplifies our commitment to advancing AI, automation and education — while preparing engineers for the factories of the future."

In its first phase, IntelliMake will combine advanced computing with modular orchestration to demonstrate how intelligent agents can detect, adapt to and recover from disruptions. The autonomous manufacturing and assembly line will reduce scrap and rework, improve quality, and empower workers with more responsive tools and real-time insights. Kyndryl will help orchestrate these systems by integrating technologies like Kyndryl Bridge for monitoring and management of the end-to-end infrastructure that will run the mock assembly line.

IntelliMake's mission is to position Detroit and Michigan at the forefront of the nation's projected $10 trillion smart manufacturing opportunity, where AI agents, robotics and digital twins drive self-optimizing and reconfigurable factories. The collaboration was made possible through coordination among Wayne State's James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering, the Office of the Provost, the Division of Research and Innovation, Sponsored Programs Administration, and the Industry Partnerships Office to advance university-wide innovation and help IntelliMake's discoveries translate into scalable industrial applications.

About Wayne State University

Wayne State University is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world. For more information, visit wayne.edu.  

About Kyndryl

Kyndryl (NYSE: KD) is a leading provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, offering advisory, implementation and managed service capabilities to thousands of customers in more than 60 countries. As the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider, the company designs, builds, manages and modernizes the complex information systems that the world depends on every day. For more information, visit www.kyndryl.com.

Kyndryl press contact
press@kyndryl.com

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements often contain words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "objectives," "opportunity," "plan," "position," "predict," "project," "should," "seek," "target," "will," "would" and other similar words or expressions or the negative thereof or other variations thereon. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation statements concerning the Company's plans, objectives, goals, beliefs, business strategies, future events, business condition, results of operations, financial position, business outlook and business trends and other non-historical statements, are forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Actual outcomes or results may differ materially from those suggested by forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and may be further updated from time to time in the Company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

 

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SOURCE Kyndryl

FAQ

What did Kyndryl (KD) and Wayne State announce on January 13, 2026?

They announced a multi-year collaboration to establish IntelliMake, a research hub and pilot-scale factory for AI-driven manufacturing at Wayne State.

How will IntelliMake train the manufacturing workforce tied to Kyndryl (KD)?

IntelliMake will provide hands-on training in agentic AI, digital twins, and cybersecurity using demonstration pods and a mock assembly line.

What technologies will Kyndryl (KD) help integrate at IntelliMake?

Kyndryl will co-develop intelligent agents, robotics, digital twins, and integrate monitoring via Kyndryl Bridge for end-to-end infrastructure orchestration.

What is the stated economic opportunity referenced in the Wayne State–Kyndryl announcement?

The collaboration cites a national $10 trillion smart manufacturing opportunity driven by AI agents, robotics, and digital twins.

When and where will the IntelliMake pilot-scale factory be based?

IntelliMake will be established within the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering at Wayne State University in Detroit.

How does the announcement address workforce readiness noted by Kyndryl (KD)?

It cites Kyndryl's 2025 Readiness Report (87% expect AI to reshape jobs; 29% feel ready) and aims to close the gap through practical training and demonstrations.