IBM and OpenAI will work more closely together to deploy AI technology within existing business processes and IT environments. IBM is integrating OpenAI’s models and products into its consulting platform and establishing a separate OpenAI practice. To this end, the company plans to train and certify tens of thousands of consultants in the coming months.
The collaboration will focus on sectors including financial services, government, telecommunications, and retail. In addition, the companies are examining processes within finance, procurement, customer service, and HR. OpenAI technologies such as GPT-5.6, Codex, and ChatGPT Work will be incorporated into IBM Consulting Advantage, the AI platform IBM uses for consulting and implementation projects.
According to Mike Healy, managing partner at IBM Consulting, IBM will train and certify tens of thousands of consultants to work with OpenAI technology, TechCrunch reports. This primarily involves existing employees undergoing additional training. The training programs will focus on Codex, the OpenAI API, and cybersecurity, among other topics. In addition, specialized Forward Deployed Experts will work directly with clients on implementations.
OpenAI alongside Anthropic and Granite
The agreement does not mean that IBM is opting exclusively for OpenAI technology. Less than a year ago, the company entered into a similar partnership with Anthropic. IBM also has its own Granite models.
The partnership with OpenAI thus fits within a model-agnostic strategy in which IBM combines various AI models and vendors. Through watsonx and its consulting services, among other channels, the company aims to enable customers to deploy different models for different applications.
For OpenAI, the agreement represents an additional channel to large enterprise customers. The company also partners with major IT service providers such as Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services. Through these partnerships, OpenAI seeks to expand the reach of its models and products within enterprises via its existing consulting and integration partners.
Modernizing legacy applications
A key part of the collaboration is adapting existing applications and workflows. IBM aims to combine its expertise in business processes and existing IT environments with Codex and other OpenAI technologies. This should enable organizations to accelerate software development and adapt existing applications for AI use, among other things.
IBM is establishing a separate OpenAI Practice for this purpose. The company is also joining the Elite partner tier of the OpenAI Partner Network. Financial terms of the partnership have not been disclosed.
Expansion of existing security collaboration
IBM and OpenAI were already collaborating in cybersecurity. IBM joined the OpenAI Daybreak Cyber Partner Program in June. The new agreement expands that relationship to other areas of business operations.
In the area of security, OpenAI technology will be combined with IBM Autonomous Security, a service that deploys multiple AI agents for analysis, decision-making, and response, among other tasks. The companies will focus on both cyber threats and risks arising from AI use, such as application vulnerabilities, governance shortcomings, and operational risks.