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NEW YORK — IBM has launched watsonx AI Labs, a new innovation hub in Manhattan aimed at advancing the development and deployment of agentic artificial intelligence solutions for enterprises. The initiative, announced this week, marks a major step in IBM’s strategy to scale responsible AI adoption across industries—and further establish New York City as a leading AI innovation center.
According to Scarlett Evans, contributing writer at AI Business, the lab will serve as a collaborative platform connecting AI startups and developers with IBM’s global network of researchers and engineers. The lab is designed to foster solutions to practical business challenges, including customer service automation, supply chain optimization, cybersecurity, open-source AI development, and AI governance.
“This isn’t your typical corporate lab,” said Ritika Gunnar, General Manager of Data and AI at IBM. “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.”
A Strategic Move Amid NYC’s Growing AI Ecosystem
IBM cited rapid growth in New York’s AI sector as a catalyst for the lab’s launch. The city is now home to more than 2,000 AI startups, and its AI workforce grew nearly 25% between 2022 and 2023, according to data from Tech:NYC.
“IBM’s launch of watsonx AI Labs signals a transformative investment in New York’s innovation ecosystem,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “This initiative strengthens New York’s position as a global hub for responsible and cutting-edge AI development.”
As part of the lab’s programming, startups creating enterprise-focused AI products can gain access to IBM Ventures, mentorship opportunities, and funding from IBM’s $500 million Enterprise AI Venture Fund.
IBM Acquires Seek AI to Expand Capabilities
In tandem with the lab’s launch, IBM announced the acquisition of key technology from Seek AI, a New York-based startup focused on developing agentic AI tools that enhance how businesses query and understand enterprise data.
Seek AI’s technology will become a foundational element within the watsonx AI Labs framework, IBM said in a statement. The move is expected to deepen the company’s ability to support intelligent enterprise decision-making through scalable AI-powered insights.
“Under the acquisition, we will scale our platform, deploy mission-critical solutions for IBM clients, empower the next generation of AI developers, and grow our team significantly,” Sarah Nagy, CEO and founder of Seek AI, shared on LinkedIn.
The launch of watsonx AI Labs and the acquisition of Seek AI reinforce IBM’s broader push to lead in enterprise AI innovation. It follows the recent expansion of its watsonx platform, which has become central to the company’s approach to AI lifecycle management, data governance, and model deployment.
Excerpts from Scarlett Evans, Contributing Writer article on aibusiness.com
