IBM and Yotta Partner to Deliver Secure, Sovereign Agentic AI for Enterprises and Government

(L-R) Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia; Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Yotta Data Services; Sriram Raghavan, General Manager, IBM Software, India and Software Innovation Lab

• The collaboration intends to host IBM watsonx Orchestrate on Yotta's Shakti Cloud and bring IBM Sovereign Core to India, enabling enterprises to scale trusted, compliant AI

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Yotta Data Services Private Limited ("Yotta") today announced plans to enter into a strategic partnership to deliver an Agentic AI platform for enterprises and government organisations in India. The platform is proposed to be built using IBM watsonx Orchestrate and deployed on Yotta's Shakti Cloud, to help organisations scale AI adoption while meeting evolving requirements around data residency, security, and regulatory compliance.

As enterprises move from AI experimentation to operational deployment, there is increasing demand for platforms that can orchestrate AI-driven workflows across business functions while maintaining governance and control. The proposed platform will enable organisations to deploy and manage AI agents across IT service management, HR, finance, procurement, and customer support.

As part of the collaboration, IBM and Yotta also intend to bring IBM Sovereign Core onto Yotta's Shakti Cloud. IBM Sovereign Core, now generally available, is a software platform designed to help organisations build and operate AI-ready sovereign environments — delivering continuous compliance monitoring, verifiable control, and governed AI execution across data, operations, technology, and AI. Together, the two offerings are intended to give Indian organisations a complete foundation for deploying agentic AI at scale, without compromising on compliance or control.

"AI innovation in India must be anchored in sovereignty, security, and performance. Together with IBM, we propose to enable enterprises to harness the power of agentic AI on a secure, India-hosted cloud, so they can innovate with confidence while maintaining control over their data and operations," said Sunil Gupta, Co-Founder, Managing Director & CEO, Yotta Data Services.

Yotta's Shakti Cloud provides scalable GPU infrastructure and AI services designed for Indian enterprises. Combined with IBM watsonx Orchestrate — an enterprise agentic AI platform — the proposed solution is intended to help Indian organisations adopt AI with speed and security, enabling AI-driven orchestration that accelerates time-to-value and streamlines operations across functions.

IBM Sovereign Core: Making Digital Sovereignty Operational

IBM Sovereign Core introduces a new model for operational sovereignty, where governance, compliance, and control are built into the system from the start. IBM defines digital sovereignty across four pillars:

• Operational Sovereignty — control over how environments are operated
• Data Sovereignty — control over data at rest, in use, and in motion
• Technology Sovereignty — open, modular architecture that avoids vendor lock-in
• AI Sovereignty — control over where models run and how inference is governed. 

IBM Sovereign Core delivers an integrated software platform combining control plane, identity, security, compliance, and AI execution functions within a single deployment model. Key capabilities include a customer-operated control plane, in-boundary identity and encryption, continuous compliance monitoring and evidence generation, preloaded regulatory frameworks, governed AI execution, and an open, modular architecture built on Red Hat OpenShift and Red Hat AI.

By intending to host IBM Sovereign Core on Yotta's Shakti Cloud — an India-based, MeitY-empanelled infrastructure — the partnership aims to deliver a sovereign environment purpose-built for India's regulatory requirements, supporting enterprises and government organisations in meeting data residency mandates, maintaining audit-ready compliance evidence, and deploying AI workloads within defined sovereign boundaries.

"Indian enterprises are increasingly focused on operationalising AI in a way that is secure, governed, and aligned with regulatory expectations. This collaboration will combine IBM's AI capabilities with Yotta's sovereign cloud infrastructure to help organisations scale AI responsibly — embedding sovereignty, governance, transparency, and trust from the outset," said Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia.

IBM and Yotta intend to jointly pursue go-to-market initiatives including solution co-creation, proof of concepts, and technical enablement, targeting organisations across BFSI, public sector, manufacturing, and digital-native industries.

About Yotta Data Services Private Limited

Yotta Data Services is a sovereign cloud infrastructure and platform services provider, offering cloud, AI cloud, data centre hosting, connectivity, media tech and cybersecurity services; managed applications; and a wide range of managed IT services. Yotta operates its cloud regions at its hyperscale data centre parks in Panvel (Navi Mumbai) and Greater Noida (Delhi NCR). Yotta's homegrown, open-source-based Sovereign hyperscale cloud, Yntraa, is MeitY empanelled (VCC and GCC). Yotta has also launched Shakti Cloud, a platform providing enterprises with a comprehensive suite of AI services including AI labs, AI workspaces, Shakti Studio AI Inference platform, access to NVIDIA NIM services, and Kubernetes clusters with GPU resources. Yotta is the only NVIDIA Cloud Partner (NCP) across the APAC region to be part of the NVIDIA Exemplar cloud initiative and is one of only six Reference Architecture Platform NCPs globally. For more information, visit www.yotta.com.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

IBM Brings AI Power to Ferrari’s F1 Fan App

IBM has officially debuted new AI-powered features for the Scuderia Ferrari app, timed with the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. Built on IBM watsonx, the update introduces an AI Companion, interactive Game Center, and enhanced Race Center to deepen fan engagement for Ferrari’s 400 million global Tifosi.

Key New Features

• AI Companion (powered by IBM watsonx):
  • Acts as a digital guide for fans
  • Supports conversation-style prompts
  • Provides contextual responses using Ferrari’s racing data
• Game Center:
  • Unified hub for race predictors, quizzes, and challenges
  • Global leaderboards, digital achievements, and badges
  • Social media integration for sharing accomplishments
  • New Countdown Quiz: timed 60-second challenges
• Achievements Tab:
  • Unlock digital badges through participation
  • Easy sharing across social platforms
• Race Center Enhancements:
  • Detailed session timelines from practice to race day
  • Improved real-time driver data
  • Curated insights for deeper fan understanding

Why This Matters

Feature	Impact
AI Companion	Personalized, interactive fan engagement
Game Center	Gamifies race weekends, boosts repeat usage
Countdown Quiz	Adds competitive, timed challenges
Achievements Tab	Encourages social sharing & loyalty
Race Center	Delivers richer, real-time race insights

Strategic Context

• Audience Reach: Ferrari’s app targets nearly 400 million global fans
• Technology Backbone: IBM watsonx + Watsonx Orchestrate ensure contextual, data-driven responses
• Engagement Goal: Move beyond static information to immersive, participatory fan experiences
• Quote from IBM: “By putting AI at the core of the Scuderia Ferrari app experience, we are transforming how millions of Tifosi engage with the sport.” — Jonathan Adashek, SVP Marketing & Communications, IBM

Considerations

• Data Accuracy: AI responses depend on curated Ferrari datasets; misinformation risks must be managed
• Fan Inclusivity: Features must balance hardcore F1 knowledge with accessibility for casual fans
• Global Rollout: Engagement may vary across regions; localization will be key

To summarize, IBM’s AI-powered upgrade transforms the Scuderia Ferrari app into a dynamic, gamified, and personalized platform, aligning with Formula 1’s push for deeper digital fan engagement.

IBM will continue rolling out new features on the Scuderia Ferrari HP app throughout the 2026 season.

Download the redesigned Scuderia Ferrari mobile app, available for mobile devices, in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. Click here to learn more about IBM and the Scuderia Ferrari app.

IBM Launches Its First Infrastructure Innovation Center in India to Accelerate Enterprise-Scale AI

Left - Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, VP ISDL; Right - Sandip Patel, MD

IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced the launch of its first Infrastructure Innovation Center, the Sangam Infrastructure Innovation Center, housed within its new India Systems Development Lab (ISDL) campus. The center underscores IBM’s continued investment in India as a strategic hub for advanced infrastructure engineering and AI innovation serving both domestic and global markets.

Designed as a collaborative engineering hub, the center will bring together IBM’s systems architects and infrastructure specialists from ISDL to co-create AI solutions with clients, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Global System Integrators (GSIs), Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and ecosystem partners. By bringing together cutting-edge infrastructure technologies, hybrid cloud capabilities and AI solutions under one roof, the center is designed to accelerate the development and deployment of secure, scalable and responsible enterprise AI systems. The initiative supports enterprise transformation in India while contributing to global infrastructure innovation.

"India is at a pivotal moment in its AI journey, and infrastructure will define the pace and scale at which organizations can innovate,” said Sandip Patel, Managing Director, IBM India & South Asia. “Across industries, enterprises in India are modernizing mission-critical systems to become AI-ready. This Center reflects IBM’s long-term commitment to India and strengthens our ability to design, build, and scale infrastructure solutions locally; tailored to India’s unique market needs while contributing to global innovation. As India advances toward becoming a global AI leader, resilient, secure, and high-performance infrastructure will be the bedrock of that transformation.”

Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, Vice President, IBM India Systems Development Lab, added, “AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure that supports it. From hybrid cloud platforms to data architectures and automation, the backbone of AI lies in robust, secure and scalable infrastructure. This center brings together deep systems engineering expertise and ecosystem collaboration to help clients operationalize AI at scale while ensuring performance, security, governance, and reliability across mission-critical environments.”

The launch builds on strong infrastructure investment trends highlighted in a recent study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, which found that 58% of Indian organizations have increased infrastructure investments due to rising AI demand. The study also projected a 19% growth in infrastructure budgets in 2025, with 43% of organizations establishing or planning AI Centers of Excellence. As enterprises move from experimentation to scaled deployment, infrastructure readiness is emerging as a strategic priority.

With the establishment of this center, IBM further strengthens India’s position as a critical engine for AI infrastructure innovation supporting enterprises in building secure, scalable and future-ready AI systems.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact:

Prasanna SR (prasanna.s.r@ibm.com)

Aakanksha Ahlawat (Aakanksha.Ahlawat@ibm.com)

AI Meets Governance: IBM Launches Lucknow Centre

IBM has officially announced the inauguration of its AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Lucknow on February 22, 2026. The initiative is designed to position AI as core infrastructure for modern governance, helping governments tackle rising citizen expectations, regulatory complexity, and exponential data growth.

Key Highlights

• Purpose: The centre will serve as a collaborative platform to design, validate, and scale trusted AI solutions for governance, focusing on productivity, transparency, and service delivery.
• Location: Situated at Platinum Mall in Sushant Golf City, Lucknow, the facility has a 500-seat capacity and marks IBM’s first software lab in Northern India.
• Focus Areas: Generative AI and Agentic AI technologies, with applications tailored for government and enterprise use cases.
• Leadership Presence: The inauguration was attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, and IBM India MD Sandip Patel.
• Strategic Vision: Yogi Adityanath emphasized that the centre will strengthen tech-driven governance and highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s ambitions in deep tech, robotics, drone technology, medical technology, and quantum computing.

Why It Matters

This centre positions Lucknow as a growing hub for GovTech innovation in India, aligning with the state’s roadmap to lead in AI and quantum computing. It also reflects IBM’s broader strategy to embed AI into public sector infrastructure, ensuring scalable and replicable solutions for governance worldwide.

“AI will define the next era of government effectiveness and economic competitiveness. Around the world, and especially in India, we are seeing governments move decisively from exploration to execution. It is encouraging to see this level of openness to responsible AI adoption,” said Arvind Krishna, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, IBM. “The Lucknow center brings together IBM’s global AI leadership and a strong local talent ecosystem, with proximity to leading engineering and academic institutions. Together, this enables us to translate AI ambition into measurable public impact,” he added.

IBM and Andhra Pradesh Govt Collaborate on Indigenous AI Technology Stack

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has announced a major collaboration with IBM, BharatGen, and NxtGen to build a “Swadeshi Sovereign AI Stack”—a framework designed to deliver citizen-centric digital services in regional languages like Telugu.

Key Highlights of the Collaboration

• Sovereign AI Framework: The initiative focuses on creating an AI stack that unifies models, government datasets, institutional data, software platforms, and deployment tools into one cohesive system.
• Citizen-Centric Services: Tailored AI solutions will be developed for governance and service delivery, with emphasis on accessibility in local languages.
• Strategic Inputs: IBM, BharatGen, and NxtGen will provide technical and strategic guidance on design, architecture, and operating models.
• Cultural & Linguistic Context: The stack is intended to strengthen India’s AI capabilities by embedding linguistic diversity and cultural relevance into its foundation.
• Deployment Flexibility: It can run on sovereign cloud platforms or on-premises data centers, ensuring data control and security.

Broader Implications

• Governance: Enhanced transparency and efficiency in public service delivery.
• Innovation Ecosystem: Andhra Pradesh positions itself as a hub for responsible and applied AI, potentially boosting startups and local tech industries.
• Digital Sovereignty: Reduces reliance on foreign AI systems by building indigenous capabilities.

BharatGen

BharatGen is India’s first sovereign generative AI ecosystem, launched to create foundational models that reflect the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity. Its mission is to build large language models (LLMs), speech systems, and computer vision tools that can operate across India’s 22+ official languages. By assembling one of the largest open datasets in the country, BharatGen aims to empower public service delivery, education, and citizen engagement through AI that is truly indigenous. The initiative is positioned as a cornerstone for India’s digital sovereignty, reducing dependence on foreign AI systems and ensuring that governance tools are culturally and linguistically aligned with the population.

NxtGen

NxtGen is a Bengaluru‑based sovereign cloud and AI infrastructure provider, specializing in secure, scalable platforms that operate free from foreign jurisdiction. It runs SpeedCloud® (public cloud) and SpeedCloud Supreme (private cloud), offering enterprises and governments flexible deployment options. Recently, NxtGen established a national‑scale sovereign AI factory powered by NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs and Vertiv’s advanced data center systems, enabling AI training and inference at population scale. Its infrastructure is designed to host and deploy indigenous AI models like those from BharatGen, ensuring that India’s digital future is built on sovereign, secure, and locally controlled technology.

Together, BharatGen and NxtGen complement IBM’s expertise by providing the AI models and the sovereign cloud infrastructure needed to operationalize Andhra Pradesh’s Swadeshi Sovereign AI Stack.

IBM Launches Open Tech to Keep AI Data in Local Hands

IBM has launched Sovereign Core, an open-source software stack designed to give enterprises and governments full control over AI workloads, ensuring compliance, regulatory oversight, and operational autonomy in the era of digital sovereignty. This marks IBM’s push to address growing concerns about data governance and sovereignty as AI adoption accelerates worldwide.

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What is IBM Sovereign Core?

• Launch date: January 15–19, 2026
• Nature: Open-source based software stack
• Purpose: Build, deploy, and manage AI-ready sovereign environments
• Target users: Enterprises, governments, and service providers needing strict compliance and control

 Key features

• Open source foundation: Transparency and adaptability
• AI-ready sovereignty: Built for data control and compliance
• Operational autonomy: Maintain complete authority over infrastructure
• Regulatory compliance: Aligns with evolving global data sovereignty rules
• Auditable governance: Verifiable tools for oversight

Why it matters

• Digital sovereignty pressure: Keep sensitive data within boundaries
• AI amplifies risks: Larger datasets complicate compliance
• Global trend: Countries tightening data residency and AI governance

Benefits vs challenges

Benefits	Challenges/Risks
Full control over AI infrastructure	Requires technical expertise to deploy/manage
Compliance with sovereignty laws	Potentially higher costs vs cloud-native solutions
Open-source transparency	Integration with legacy systems may be complex
Auditable governance	Regulatory frameworks differ across regions

Implications for enterprises & governments

• Enterprises: Deploy AI without violating sovereignty laws
• Governments: Tools to enforce national data control policies
• Service providers: Offer sovereign-compliant AI services

Strategic outlook

IBM’s Sovereign Core positions the company as a leader in sovereign AI infrastructure, competing with hyperscalers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, who are also investing in sovereignty solutions. The open-source approach may attract adoption in regions like Europe and India, where sovereignty regulations are tightening.

In short

IBM Sovereign Core is a major step toward keeping AI workloads compliant, secure, and under full organizational control—essential as digital sovereignty becomes a global priority.

Karnataka Bank Modernizes Digital Infrastructure with IBM Cloud Pak, Cuts Costs by 30%

Karnataka Bank Limited (KBL), one of India’s leading 'A' Class Scheduled Commercial Banks, collaborated with IBM to modernize its digital banking infrastructure using IBM Cloud Pak for Integration on Red Hat OpenShift. Implemented by IBM ecosystem partner, Fyrii, along with IBM Customer Success Team, the transformation enabled Karnataka Bank to establish a secure, scalable, and agile Application Programming Interface (API) platform while reducing total cost of ownership and reinforcing its digital foundation.

Through this collaborative innovation, Karnataka Bank developed a modern, secure, and scalable API platform that reinforces the bank’s digital infrastructure while reducing operational costs. This platform enables quicker rollout of services such as digital payments, loan processing, and third-party integrations, while maintaining secure connections with multiple systems both internally and externally.

This marks a major milestone in our digital journey, said Venkat Krishnan, Chief Information Officer, Karnataka Bank Limited. With IBM Cloud Pak for Integration on Red Hat OpenShift, we now have an agile and secure platform that allows us to scale operations across India, simplify system management, and reduce costs—all while improving the overall customer experience. 

The upgraded API infrastructure strengthens security while boosting scalability by 50% and cutting operational costs by 30%. These gains come from migrating to an optimized container‑based platform purpose‑built for efficient microservices. The framework enables the bank to implement digital gateways to manage all API traffic. It also allows external partners to access the bank’s AI foundation models as APIs via AI Gateway. This facilitates seamless communication between internal, external and cloud systems while ensuring smooth integration with UIDAI, CERSAI, GST, Reg-Tech and CBDT services. The streamlined implementation process supports rapid adaptation to evolving market conditions and regulatory requirements.

Today’s banking sector is more complex than ever, comprising many systems and data sources in constant use. To stay ahead, banks require intelligent automation that not only streamlines operations but also anticipates issues before they arise. Karnataka Bank’s modernization showcases how intelligent automation and integrated systems can reduce complexity, boost efficiency and accelerate the delivery of secure, reliable digital services at scale, said Viswanath Ramaswamy, Vice President, Technology, IBM India & South Asia.

The implementation was led by Fyrii, with IBM’s Expert Labs supporting the critical phases of the rollout. The project is a key pillar of Karnataka Bank’s broader digital transformation strategy, Startup@100, which emphasizes agility and innovation as the bank celebrates 100 years of service.

Commenting on the collaboration Padma Subramanian, Co-founder and CEO, Fyrii said, “As IBM’s implementation partner, we at Fyrii are proud to support Karnataka Bank’s modernization journey by leveraging our Unified Fintech Platform alongside IBM Cloud Pak for Integration. This collaboration with IBM and Karnataka Bank demonstrates how we at Fyrii use our platform to accelerate digital transformation with greater agility and secure API enablement, helping form a foundation for the bank to innovate and serve customers seamlessly.”

About Karnataka Bank Limited

Established in 1924 and headquartered in Mangaluru, Karnataka Bank Limited is a premier private sector bank in India. As of 2025, the bank operates a network of 957 branches, 1,188 ATMs and cash recyclers, and 588 e-lobbies/mini e-lobbies across 22 states and 2 union territories, serving over 11 million customers nationwide.

Karnataka Bank offers a comprehensive suite of digital banking solutions, including KBL Mobile Plus, KBL mPassbook, BHIM KBL UPI App, KBL POS Manager, and KBL MoneyClick Internet Banking. In its centenary year, the bank continues to embrace technology-led innovation through its 'Startup@100' vision, aiming to enhance customer experiences and drive financial inclusion across the country.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

IBM’s New ‘Nighthawk’ Quantum Chip Targets Advantage by 2026

IBM has unveiled its most advanced quantum processor yet, the Nighthawk chip, a 120-qubit design with 218 tunable couplers, aimed at achieving quantum advantage as early as 2026.

This marks a major milestone in IBM’s roadmap toward fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2029.

Key highlights of IBM’s Nighthawk quantum chip

• Quantum advantage goal: IBM believes Nighthawk could demonstrate quantum advantage—where quantum computers outperform classical ones—by next year.
• 120 qubits + 218 couplers: The chip uses a square lattice design to connect qubits with tunable couplers, enabling 30% more circuit complexity while reducing error rates.
• Error correction research: Alongside Nighthawk, IBM introduced the Loon chip, which experiments with vertical qubit connections and fault-tolerant components.
• Software integration: IBM rolled out a faster quantum software stack, dynamic circuits in Qiskit, and a quantum advantage tracker to benchmark progress.
• Manufacturing leap: The company has shifted to 300mm wafer fabrication, doubling development speed and scaling quantum hardware production.
• Long-term roadmap: IBM aims to deliver large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum systems by 2029, positioning itself as a leader in practical quantum computing.

Why this matters

• Scientific impact: Nighthawk’s design allows execution of circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gates, opening doors to solving problems classical supercomputers cannot.
• Business applications: Industries like finance, pharmaceuticals, and climate modeling could benefit from faster, more accurate simulations.
• Global competition: IBM’s announcement intensifies the race with Google, Microsoft, and startups, all vying to claim the first verifiable quantum advantage.

The big picture

IBM’s Nighthawk isn’t just another chip—it’s a strategic bet on scaling quantum computing from lab experiments to real-world applications.

By combining hardware advances with software optimization and error correction, IBM is laying the groundwork for a future where quantum systems become indispensable tools in science, industry, and security.

Next step

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IBM Enters Crypto World with New Platform for Banks and Governments

IBM has launched “Digital Asset Haven,” a crypto custody platform tailored for banks, governments, and large enterprises, marking its formal entry into institutional blockchain infrastructure.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what IBM’s new platform offers and why it matters:

What Is Digital Asset Haven?

• Launch Date: October 27, 2025
• Purpose: Secure, compliant custody and transaction services for digital assets
• Target Clients: Financial institutions, government entities, and large corporations

Key Features

• Multi-Blockchain Support: Custody, transfer, and settlement across 40+ blockchains
• Wallet Management: Integrated wallet infrastructure with policy-based governance
• Compliance Tools: Built-in KYC and AML frameworks
• SaaS Rollout: Initially offered as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
• Partnerships: Developed with Dfns, a French wallet infrastructure firm

Strategic Context

• Supports the emerging $10 trillion tokenization economy
• Includes Bitcoin custody and tokenized payments
• Marks IBM’s shift from experimental blockchain efforts to regulated infrastructure

Implications

• For Institutions: Trusted, enterprise-grade solution for digital asset management
• For IBM: Positions IBM as a serious contender in blockchain infrastructure

After winding down earlier blockchain efforts (like IBM Food Trust), this marks a renewed, enterprise-focused push. It targets the same institutional segment as Fireblocks, Anchorage, and BitGo, but with IBM’s legacy in enterprise trust and compliance.

IBM plans to integrate AI-driven risk scoring and predictive compliance analytics by mid-2026.

Architecture & Technology Stack

• Core Infrastructure: Built on IBM Cloud and IBM Hyper Protect Services with confidential computing and hardware-based encryption
• MPC Wallets: Uses multi-party computation (MPC) for keyless custody and distributed signing
• API-First Design: RESTful APIs for integration with banking systems and blockchain networks
• Smart Contract Support: Compatible with Ethereum, Solana, and other programmable chains

Security & Compliance

• Regulatory Alignment: Meets Basel III, MiCA, and FATF Travel Rule standards
• Audit Trails: Immutable logging and real-time monitoring for compliance and forensic analysis
• Geo-Fencing & Access Controls: Location-based restrictions and role-based access

Strategic Partnerships

• Dfns Integration: IBM leverages Dfns’ MPC wallet infrastructure with 15M+ wallets deployed
• Enterprise Pilots: Early adopters include central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and tier-1 institutions
• Tokenization Ecosystem: Supports CBDCs, tokenized bonds, and real-world asset custody

Use Cases

• Bitcoin Custody: Secure storage and transfer for institutional BTC portfolios
• Tokenized Payments: Programmable payments using stablecoins and tokenized fiat
• Cross-Chain Settlement: Asset movement across Ethereum, Polygon, Avalanche, and private chains

Strategic Implications

• IBM’s Reentry into Blockchain: A shift from earlier experimental efforts to regulated infrastructure
• Competitive Positioning: Competes with Fireblocks, Anchorage, and BitGo in institutional custody
• Future Expansion: Plans to add AI-driven risk scoring and predictive compliance analytics by mid-2026

IBM's HashiCorp Debuts Real-Time Infrastructure Graph and Lifecycle Enhancements for Hybrid Cloud Automation

At HashiConf 2025, HashiCorp marked its 10th global conference—and its first as an IBM company—with a bold vision for the future of infrastructure automation. The company introduced a suite of Infrastructure and Security Lifecycle Management (ILM and SLM) capabilities and previewed Project infragraph, a strategic investment designed to enable agentic infrastructure across hybrid environments.

Project infragraph: A Real-Time Infrastructure Graph for AI-Ready Operations

• Relational visibility across provisioning workflows and production environments
• Tailored insights for platform and infrastructure teams to accelerate decision-making
• Unified context for automation and policy enforcement
• Agentic workflow readiness, enabling AI to reason about infrastructure state and propose remediation or optimization actions

Infrastructure and Security Lifecycle Enhancements

Infrastructure Lifecycle Management (ILM)

• HCP Terraform Stacks (GA): Simplifies multi-component deployments
• Terraform Search & Actions (Beta): Accelerates onboarding and automates Day 2 operations
• MCP Server (Beta): Enables natural language interaction with Terraform registries
• SBOM Storage & Image Provenance: Enhances supply chain security

Security Lifecycle Management (SLM)

• HCP Boundary RDP Credential Injection (Beta): Secures remote access without exposing secrets
• Vault Radar Jira Scanning & IDE Plugin (GA/Beta): Detects secrets earlier in the development cycle
• Vault Dedicated Enhancements: Includes AWS PrivateLink, Azure DNS, and secrets inventory reporting
• Vault MCP Server (Beta): Natural language interface for managing secrets

A Platform for Intelligent Infrastructure

“HashiCorp’s latest product updates and the introduction of Project infragraph signal more than product momentum—they represent the evolution of a platform that can unify infrastructure and security data, and accelerate intelligent decision-making,” said Armon Dadgar, CTO and co-founder of HashiCorp.

IBM’s Dinesh Nirmal added, “Project infragraph is a major step toward infrastructure that can observe, reason, and act. By combining automation with real-time infrastructure intelligence, we are creating the control layer that unlocks the next era of AI-powered operations.”

Surya: NASA and IBM Release Largest Open-Source Heliophysics AI Model on Hugging Face

IBM and NASA have unveiled a groundbreaking open-source AI model called Surya, designed to predict solar weather and protect critical infrastructure from space-based disruptions. The powerful AI model is trained on 14 years of observations from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).

Here's a breakdown of what makes this initiative so impactful:

What Is Surya?

• Name Origin: “Surya” is Sanskrit for “Sun,” reflecting its heliophysics focus.
• Purpose: Predict solar flares, coronal mass ejections, and other solar phenomena that can disrupt satellites, GPS, power grids, and telecommunications.
• Availability: Open-source and hosted on Hugging Face.

Technical Highlights

• Foundation Model: Trained on 14 years of high-resolution solar data from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO).
• Data Types: Includes solar coronal EUV images, magnetic field maps, and solar surface velocity data.
• Model Size: 366 million parameters—lightweight enough for broader deployment.

Capabilities & Performance

• Forecasting Power:
  • Predicts solar flares up to 2 hours in advance.
  • Achieved 16% improvement in flare classification accuracy over previous models.
• Use Cases:
  • Early warnings for satellite operators.
  • Infrastructure protection for energy grids and aviation.
  • Academic research in heliophysics and space weather.

Why It Matters

• Economic Risk: A major solar storm could cost the global economy up to $2.4 trillion over five years.
• Recent Events: Solar storms have already disrupted GPS, diverted flights, and damaged satellites.
• Future-Proofing: As humanity ventures deeper into space, accurate solar forecasting becomes essential for safety and continuity.

Open Science Impact

• SuryaBench Dataset: IBM and NASA also released the largest curated heliophysics dataset to support further research.
• Community Collaboration: Encourages scientists and developers to build on Surya for new applications in space weather prediction.

Summary Table

Feature	Details
Model Name	Surya
Developed By	IBM & NASA
Training Data	14 years of solar observations from NASA's SDO
Parameter Count	366 million
Forecast Window	Up to 2 hours before solar flare events
Accuracy Improvement	16% over prior models
Hosted On	Hugging Face

Vodafone Idea and IBM Launch AI Innovation Hub to Transform Telecom Operations and Accelerate Digital Delivery

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has made a strategic collaboration with IBM to revolutionize its telecom operations through artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. The partnership marks a significant milestone in Vi’s digital transformation journey, aimed at streamlining operations, enhancing service reliability, and accelerating the delivery of next-generation digital services.

AI Innovation Hub: The Core of the Transformation

At the heart of this initiative is the newly launched AI Innovation Hub, a joint endeavor between Vi and IBM Consulting. The Hub is designed to continuously modernize Vi’s IT and business processes by co-creating:

• AI-powered automation tools
• Digital accelerators for faster service deployment
• Advanced DevOps solutions infused with AI

The Innovation Hub will serve as a collaborative space where experts from both organizations will develop and deploy cutting-edge technologies to improve operational efficiency and customer experience.

Unified DevOps Execution Model

Vi is also implementing a unified DevOps execution model, powered by automation and AI. This model aims to:

• Accelerate software development cycles
• Improve service reliability and uptime
• Enhance agility across IT and network operations

By integrating AI into its DevOps workflows, Vi seeks to create a more responsive and resilient digital infrastructure—critical for supporting India’s rapidly evolving telecom landscape and the rollout of 5G services.

Jagbir Singh, Chief Technology Officer at Vi, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership:

This marks a pivotal milestone in Vi’s digital journey. The AI Innovation Hub will set new benchmarks for the telecom industry and help us deliver superior customer experiences.

Juhi McClelland, Managing Partner of IBM Consulting, Asia Pacific, added:

Vi’s AI Innovation Hub is a testament to the power of co-creation. Together, we’re building a future-ready digital foundation that leverages IBM’s industry-leading AI capabilities.

Long-Term Vision

The collaboration builds on a 17-year relationship between Vi and IBM, now evolving into a managed services model focused on AI, automation, and digital resilience. The initiative aligns with broader industry trends, as telecom providers increasingly adopt AI to manage surging data volumes, optimize networks, and personalize customer engagement.

Industry Context

India’s telecom sector is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by rising data consumption, 5G deployment, and digital inclusion efforts. Strategic partnerships like Vi–IBM are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the next phase of telecom innovation.

IBM Unveils Power11 in India: AI-Optimized Server Built for Mission-Critical Workloads and Hybrid Cloud

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has officially launched its most advanced Power server to date, IBM Power11, in India, marking a significant milestone in enterprise AI infrastructure. Purpose-built for the AI-first era. Power11 is engineered to deliver real-time inferencing, seamless hybrid cloud deployment, and unmatched reliability—all while reducing energy consumption and IT costs.

Designed for Mission-Critical Workloads

Developed with major contributions from the IBM India Systems Development Lab (ISDL), Power11 is tailored for enterprises operating complex, data-intensive workloads across sectors like banking, telecom, healthcare, retail, and public services. According to IDC, over one billion new logical applications are expected by 2028, and Power11 is positioned to manage this scale with AI-driven performance, security, and control.

Power11 is built for enterprises that demand high performance, security, and always-on operations while preparing for an AI-first future,” said Subhathra Srinivasaraghavan, Vice President, ISDL, IBM.

Key Features and Innovations

AI Where Data Lives

• On-chip inferencing enables AI models to run directly where data resides—whether in private data centers or hybrid cloud environments.
• Supports data sovereignty and compliance mandates critical to India’s evolving digital landscape.

Security and Resilience

• Offers 99.9999% uptime, the highest in IBM Power history.
• Features <1-minute ransomware threat detection via IBM Power Cyber Vault.
• Built-in quantum-safe cryptography protects against future threats like harvest-now, decrypt-later attacks.

Energy Efficiency

• Delivers 2x performance per watt compared to x86 servers.
• Introduces an Energy Efficient Mode with up to 28% better server efficiency than Maximum Performance Mode.

Future-Ready Architecture

• First IBM Power server to support the upcoming IBM Spyre™ Accelerator, arriving in Q4 2025, designed for AI-intensive inference workloads.
• Fully compatible with IBM’s AI stack including watsonx and Red Hat OpenShift AI.

Availability and Strategic Impact

IBM Power11 will be generally available from July 25, 2025, with the Spyre Accelerator expected later this year. The launch underscores India’s growing role not just as a consumer of cutting-edge infrastructure, but as a co-developer of global enterprise technology.

With Power11, IBM is not just delivering a server—it’s offering a platform for transformation. From UPI and 5G to smart manufacturing and e-governance, Indian enterprises now have a resilient, AI-optimized infrastructure to scale innovation responsibly and securely.

IBM Power11 will be generally available July 25, 2025. The IBM Spyre™ Accelerator is expected to be available in Q4 2025. To learn more about Power11, visit here.

IBM Ignites Kochi’s Tech Future with Ecosystem Incubation Center

IBM just made a bold move to supercharge Kerala’s tech scene. On July 15, the tech giant launched the Ecosystem Incubation Center (EIC) at Infopark Kochi—a strategic hub designed to fuel innovation, entrepreneurship, and collaboration across startups, enterprises, and academia.

What’s Inside the EIC?

• Quarterly meetups with IBM Subject Matter Experts
• Hands-on mentorship for proof-of-concept development
• Technical workshops and hackathons
• Academic integration for continuous learning and upskilling
• A dedicated focus on Generative AI and Agentic AI, building on IBM’s existing Software Lab in Kochi

Why Kochi?

IBM sees Kochi as a rising deep tech hotspot, thanks to its blend of talent, infrastructure, and progressive social climate. The Kerala government is also exploring GenAI to streamline state administration, with a strong emphasis on privacy and data security.

Strategic Collaborations

IBM is partnering with:

• Kerala Startup Mission
• Infopark & Technopark
• Universities and colleges (including those ranked in India’s top 100)

They’re even planning a watsonx-Gen AI curriculum to further embed AI into Kerala’s innovation ecosystem.

This feels like more than just a center—it’s a launchpad for the next wave of Indian tech leadership.

IBM Power11 Debuts as the Most Resilient Server in IBM History, Targeting AI-Era Demands

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has officially launched IBM Power11, the latest generation of its enterprise-grade server platform.

Power11 is purpose-built to meet the demands of AI-driven workloads and hybrid cloud environments. It features a complete redesign across processor, hardware architecture, and virtualization software stack.

The new server is engineered to deliver resiliency, scalability, and performance for mission-critical operations.

• Built for the AI Era:
• Next-gen processor with up to 55% performance gains over Power9
• Zero planned downtime with 99.9999% uptime
• Quantum-safe cryptography and ransomware detection under 1 minute
• Support for IBM Spyre AI Accelerator, optimized for inferencing and LLMs
• Hybrid Cloud Flexibility:
• Available on-premises and on IBM Cloud via IBM Power Virtual Server
• Certified for RISE with SAP
• Integrates with watsonx.data and watsonx Code Assistant for i
• Trusted Across Industries:
• Ideal for banking, healthcare, retail, and government workloads
• Continues IBM Power’s legacy of supporting mission-critical, data-intensive operations

Tom McPherson, GM of IBM Power Systems, said, —

Power11 is the most resilient server in IBM Power platform history. It’s built to simplify operations, accelerate AI adoption, and ensure business continuity in a hybrid cloud world.

IIT-Kanpur & IBM Deploy AI for Clean Air Across Uttar Pradesh

India’s air quality crisis might soon find a formidable tech ally. The Airawat Research Foundation at IIT-Kanpur has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IBM to roll out AI-driven air quality monitoring across Uttar Pradesh—a state long troubled by airborne pollutants, reported news agency PTI. 

What Sets This Collaboration Apart:

• Sensor Supremacy: Airawat’s 1,365 low-cost sensors are already installed across administrative blocks, surpassing the government’s 110-node network and offering granular coverage.
• AI-Powered Insights: A real-time dashboard powered by IBM’s AI stack will collect and interpret data on PM2.5, PM10, temperature, humidity, and various gaseous pollutants—starting with a pilot project in Lucknow.
• Airshed Intelligence: The approach focuses on airsheds—tracking how pollutants drift across districts, not just urban boundaries—redefining how we see and combat air pollution.
• Indigenous Innovation: The sensors are developed locally at IIT-Kanpur, making scalability more feasible and affordable.
• Precision for Policy: With data granularity reaching 0.5 sq km, officials can target pollution hotspots with tailored interventions.

Why AI Is a Game-Changer for Air Monitoring:

• Multisource Fusion: AI integrates satellite data, ground sensors, weather forecasts, and even mobile inputs to map pollution in real time.
• Predictive Capabilities: Algorithms forecast pollution trends using historical data, while flagging anomalies like industrial spills or seasonal smog events.
• Urban Planning Aid: By modeling pollutant drift patterns, AI supports zoning reforms and smarter traffic regulations.
• Smart Buildings: AI-linked HVAC systems react dynamically to indoor pollutant levels, enhancing health and energy efficiency.
• Public Engagement: Through alerts and transparent dashboards, AI empowers citizens to take protective actions and engage with policy shifts.

This initiative isn’t just about cleaner air—it’s about a new template for tech-enabled governance, one that blends academia, industry, and the state. The Airawat-IBM collaboration could become a model for other regions, aligning with India’s Viksit Bharat goals and global climate commitments.

Global Comparisons: How UP’s Model Stands Out

• Delhi’s SAFAR System: Uses machine learning to forecast air quality 72 hours in advance, but focuses on urban zones.
• Amsterdam’s Smart Grid: Integrates air and energy data to reduce peak demand by 25%, showcasing cross-sector AI synergy.
• UNEP’s GEMS/Air Platform: Crowdsources PM2.5 data globally, reaching 300M users annually, but lacks localized policy integration.
• Envira AQMS (Spain): Offers mobile and fixed air quality stations with legal backing, but relies on imported tech and centralized models.

IBM Launches watsonx AI Labs in NYC, Acquires Seek AI

IBM has launched watsonx AI Labs, a new innovation hub in New York City, designed to accelerate AI adoption and support developers, startups, and enterprises. Located at One Madison, the lab aims to foster collaboration between IBM engineers and external innovators, helping businesses unlock real-world AI value.

Ritika Gunnar, General Manager, Data & AI, IBM, said, "This isn't your typical corporate lab. 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. By anchoring this mission in New York City, we are investing in a diverse, world‑class talent pool and a vibrant community whose innovations have long shaped the tech landscape."

IBM is also acquiring Seek AI, a New York-based startup specializing in AI agents for enterprise data, which will serve as a foundational part of the lab. The initiative taps into NYC’s thriving AI ecosystem, which has seen over $27 billion in funding since 2019.

This move strengthens IBM’s position in enterprise AI, focusing on domain-specific AI solutions for industries like finance, healthcare, and cybersecurity.

IBM's acquisition of Seek Al is a strategic move to strengthen its enterprise Al capabilities, particularly in natural language data analysis. Seek Al specializes in converting natural language queries into database searches, making complex data more accessible for businesses in regulated industries like finance, healthcare, and government.

By integrating Seek Al into watsonx Al Labs, IBM is doubling down on its mission to scale Al adoption and provide businesses with explainable, compliant Al solutions 1. The acquisition also aligns with IBM's broader push to expand its Al ecosystem, fostering collaboration between startups, researchers, and enterprise clients.

Additionally, IBM is leveraging New York City’s AI talent pool to drive innovation, positioning itself as a key player in enterprise AI development. This move could accelerate AI adoption across industries while reinforcing IBM’s leadership in AI-driven business intelligence.

IBM Replaces Hundreds of HR Professionals With AI Agents

IBM has replaced about 200 human resources professionals with AI agents. The company’s AskHR AI agent now automates 94% of routine HR tasks, including pay statements, reported The Wall Street Journal.

However, instead of reducing overall employment, IBM has redirected resources to hire more programmers, salespeople, and marketing professionals—roles that require critical thinking and human interaction.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna emphasized that this shift has actually led to more hiring in other areas, such as software engineering, sales, and marketing.

“While we have done a huge amount of work inside IBM on leveraging AI and automation on certain enterprise workflows, our total employment has actually gone up, because what it does is it gives you more investment to put into other areas,” Krishna told The Wall Street Journal.

IBM’s approach reflects a broader trend of using AI to handle repetitive tasks while reallocating resources to roles that require critical thinking and human interaction.

IBM has also expanded its generative AI division, which has grown into a $6 billion business, offering tools that allow customers to build AI agents capable of autonomously carrying out complex tasks.

This shift reflects a broader trend where AI is reshaping job roles rather than simply eliminating them.

Several tech companies have started replacing HR professionals with AI agents to streamline operations and improve efficiency. Klarna, the fintech company replaced 700 customer service agents with AI chatbots to handle inquiries and transactions. Cisco, UPS, Duolingo, and Intuit have also integrated AI into their workforce, leading to job reductions in certain areas.

The trend is growing as businesses seek to optimize costs and enhance productivity.

India’s Largest Quantum Computer To Be Deployed in the Country’s First Quantum Valley Tech Park

• IBM, Tata Consultancy Services and Government of Andhra Pradesh Unveil Plans to Deploy India’s Largest Quantum Computer in the Country’s First Quantum Valley Tech Park
• The Quantum Valley Tech Park will be anchored by next-generation IBM Quantum System Two
• Tata Consultancy Services partnering with IBM to advance India’s quantum algorithm and application development

IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Tata Consultancy Services (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) are partnering to further develop India’s quantum computing industry as part of the State of Andhra Pradesh’s Quantum Valley Tech Park, currently being built in the capital city of Amaravati. The tech park will be anchored by an IBM Quantum System Two installation, with a 156-qubit Heron quantum processor, the largest quantum computer in India. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is partnering with IBM to support the development of algorithms and applications that will help the Indian industry and academia solve some of the nation’s most challenging problems. The Government of Andhra Pradesh, IBM and TCS hope to accelerate the development of India’s quantum ecosystem through this initiative.

“Our National Quantum Mission is to make India a global hub in the quantum industry; a true center of innovation and job creation with access to the technology capable of solving some of our country’s and the world’s most pressing and complex challenges,” said N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. “With IBM, TCS, L&T, and other members, the Quantum Valley Technology Park represents how India’s industry and academia will soon be able to take an important step forward in accelerating the achievement of the mission’s goals.”

“We are excited about our plans with the state of Andhra Pradesh to deploy our latest IBM Quantum System Two at the Quantum Valley Tech Park. Our collaboration with TCS will help attract the country’s thriving ecosystem of developers, scientists, and industry experts to develop algorithms and applications. Combining this with India’s National Quantum Mission we could see an acceleration of the next critical milestone – a successful demonstration of quantum advantage,” said Jay Gambetta, Vice President, IBM Quantum.

Members of the Quantum Valley Tech Park can work with TCS for the opportunity to access IBM’s cloud-based quantum computers, and once completed, the Quantum Valley Tech Park will include access to an IBM Quantum System Two with IBM’s latest 156-qubit Heron processor.

“Hybrid architectures are the key to overcoming intractable computing challenges, with quantum computing serving as a catalyst. TCS’s Hybrid Computing strategy is creating what we believe is a breakthrough software layer that intelligently decomposes programs across current systems — CPUs, GPUs and emerging computing architectures — such as quantum. We’re excited to be partnering with IBM, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh at the Quantum Valley Tech Park and support India’s National Quantum Mission to accelerate the development of quantum algorithms and applications that solve complex intractable problems and drive both economic growth and technological innovation,” said Dr. Harrick Vin, Chief Technology Officer, Tata Consultancy Services.

The capabilities of IBM’s quantum computers, Qiskit software, and other resources look to enable India’s growing ecosystem of innovators across academia and industry to discover how quantum computers could be applied toward solutions to complex challenges — such as those goals being pursued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, via the Quantum Valley Tech Park, in contribution to the country’s National Quantum Mission.

By establishing a vibrant quantum ecosystem encompassing research, access to quantum computers, and industry applications, the Government of Andhra Pradesh intends to create high-end jobs, attract top-tier talent, and draw global investments.

As part of this collaboration, TCS will play a pivotal role in driving India’s applied research and innovation by developing quantum use cases across sectors such as life sciences, materials science, supply chain resilience, energy optimization, cryptography, and sustainable manufacturing. The goal is to unlock applications capable of a quantum advantage in solving practical industry problems that are currently beyond the reach of classical computing. TCS’s role within the Quantum Valley Tech Park will give researchers from TCS, domain experts across Indian industry, and academic institutions alike the opportunity to leverage IBM’s quantum computers and resources.

IBM to Set Up Software Lab in Uttar Pradesh

IBM is establishing a Software Lab in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, focusing on Generative Al and Agentic Al technologies. The lab will develop Al-powered solutions using Large Language Models (LLMs) and Small Language Models (SLMs) to address business needs in India and globally.

The facility will be located at Platinum Mall, Sushant Golf City, and will offer roles such as software engineers, application developers, technical testers, and UX designers. The Uttar Pradesh government, led by CM Yogi Adityanath, is supporting the initiative, aiming to position Lucknow as an Al hub and boost job creation.

This expansion aligns with IBM's broader strategy to strengthen India's digital ecosystem and contribute to Al-driven innovation. Given your interest in Al-driven transformations, this could be a significant development for India's tech landscape.

CM Yogi Adityanath has pledged full backing, aiming to position Lucknow as an Al city.

The lab will integrate global best practices in software engineering, design, and development to create next-gen Al solutions.

IBM already operates six Software Labs across India, including Bengaluru, Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar, Kochi, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai.