A New Era of Innovation at IBM Think 2025 in Boston

Another anticipated event on the enterprise tech calendar took place a few days ago, IBM’s flagship Think event in Boston, held from May 5–8. Every year, Think is a stage for announcements and vision. And this year, the vision was that AI has become a transformation engine. From revolutionary updates to watsonx, to next-gen Agent AI, and bold projections on cost savings through AI automation, IBM continues to be a serious innovator in the enterprise AI space.

Three Big Bets. watsonx, Agent AI, and Hybrid Cloud

If you missed the live sessions, don’t worry, you’re not alone. I’ve been catching up and diving deep into the keynotes online, and three standout themes have emerged, AI agents are evolving fast, hybrid cloud is still the silent powerhouse, and IBM is eating its own AI dog food to the tune of $3.5 billion in projected savings by the end of 2025. As the British would say, that is not too shabby!

Let’s talk about watsonx. Since its debut, it has been IBM’s centerpiece for enterprise-ready AI. But this year, it feels like watsonx has gone from promise to performance. One of the major updates included more seamless integration across hybrid cloud environments, expanded foundation model capabilities, and more guardrails around data governance. watson X can orchestrate AI agents for a complex IT incident management workflow, resolving issues faster, more securely, and without human bottlenecks. It is practical, scalable, and aligned with the needs of today’s overburdened IT teams.

Then came the rise of the AI Agent. IBM showcased autonomous agents that can reason, adapt, and operate across enterprise systems. Picture this: an AI agent that can diagnose a system failure, determine the root cause, open a ticket, and initiate remediation, all while learning from each action. It is automation and augmentation with intelligence. And it’s moving from prototype to production at lightning speed.

Hybrid cloud also had its moment in the spotlight. IBM’s commitment to open, secure, and flexible cloud infrastructure has never felt more relevant. Enterprises want choice, and I don't blame them. They want resilience. They must also meet compliance and security standards in every market they operate. IBM’s hybrid cloud strategy enables organizations to deploy AI where it makes the most sense, on-premises, in the cloud, or at the edge. Are the days of being locked into one ecosystem over?

Walking the Talk. $3.5 Billion in AI-Driven Cost Savings

But the headline that really got people talking? When IBM announced that it expects to save $3.5 billion in operational costs by 2025 by applying its own AI technologies internally. In an era where enterprises get caught in analysis paralysis over AI implementation, IBM is showing what it looks like to go all in.

They’re not just building AI for clients, which they are very successful at, they’re building it for themselves. From automating finance operations to streamlining customer support and IT maintenance, IBM is modeling what digital transformation should look like when you trust your own tools.

Is this the future? Should more companies invest in developing in-house AI solutions tailored to their unique needs? Or is speed still best achieved through partnerships, open innovation, and collaboration with nimble AI startups and cloud providers?

In-House vs. Ecosystem

Personally, I believe we need both when it comes to in-house vs ecosystem. I learned this from a mentor nearly two decades ago, and nothing I have seen tells me one is better than the other.

IBM’s in-house success showcases the power of long-term investment in enterprise-specific AI. However, the reality is that not every organization has IBM’s resources or decades of data and talent. That’s where ecosystem collaboration becomes non-negotiable. We don’t scale AI transformation in silos. We do it together through platforms, through alliances, and yes, through local empowerment.

By combining the control and customization of internal development with the agility and innovation that partnerships provide, enterprises can future-proof their strategies. It’s not an either-or, it’s a both-and. The key is knowing when to build and when to buy.

Think on Tour, Bringing Innovation to the World

Which brings me to something I look forward to following, the Think on Tour 2025. Starting in June, IBM will take Think on the road, heading to 12 cities worldwide, starting with London.

This shift toward a more distributed event model signals the democratization of innovation. Tech giants shouldn’t only speak from one stage once a year in one city. It should meet people where they are across industries, cultures, and communities. As I often say, hybrid is where we need to be. Being able to access keynotes and events online is great, but nothing beats a face-to-face meeting with people. As humans, that is one part that technology cannot and will not replace.

When global tech giants bring their ideas closer to the ground, they create a ripple effect. Local leaders get inspired. Regional startups get visibility. Governments and academia plug into new ecosystems. That’s how we unlock the value of AI, the full spectrum of productivity and purpose.

I applaud IBM for understanding that innovation must travel and be inclusive and accessible. Think on Tour is an innovative and strategic way to ignite local conversations while reinforcing global ambitions. IBM's Colleen Bisconti, VP of Events and Global Conferences, produced the Think on Tour idea back in 2022. With over two decades at IBM, her passion and drive for event creation are undeniable.

Think 2025, A Vision Rooted in Action

IBM’s Think 2025 is about how that future reaches more people, solves more problems, and fuels more inclusive growth. Watching this year’s sessions reminded me why I love this space. I will never get tired of saying that tech giants play a key role as role models to newcomers.

I’ll be watching closely as the Think tour unfolds. For the announcements and demos we all look forward to each year, and for the impact stories. For the emerging voices. For the breakthrough moments that will shape the next decade of enterprise AI.

To Sum Up

We are at the edge of an AI-powered era, one where savings, as IBM is confirming are real, agents are intelligent, and innovation doesn’t live in silos.

Will we build this future together or leave it to the few? The choice is ours. The technology is ready. Let’s make sure the transformation is, too.