There’s no question AI was the dominant topic of 2024. Almost every enterprise – large and small – was inspired by the promise of what Generative AI could do to modernize processes, create new revenue streams and transform business models. The enormous potential of this game-changing technology stoked imagination and fueled countless AI projects.

At the center of these AI projects is the IBM Ecosystem. Our partners set the industry standard for bringing the promise of AI to life, working with us to provide the expertise and skills needed to help businesses responsibly scale their AI deployments using IBM’s world-class enterprise AI technology. So, with 2024 drawing to a close, I thought it’d be a perfect moment to share some thoughts on the year and the exciting road ahead.

First, I want to thank all IBM partners for their amazing work throughout the year. There are so many examples of our diverse set of partners in action this year, from LTI Mindtree and Wipro establishing watsonx Centers of Excellence to help scale AI-powered client innovations, to partners like Adobe, Airtable, Dun & Bradstreet, Salesforce, SAP and Tech Mahindra infusing AI into their solutions to increase automation and productivity while mitigating risk.

Collaborations with AMD, Intel and NVIDIA helped accelerate Gen AI deployments on IBM Cloud, and global distributors such as Arrow, Ingram Micro and TD Synnex established AI learning hubs to help equip resell partners to implement IBM AI technology. We also deepened our partnerships with AWS and Microsoft to amplify access to AI-powered solutions for clients through expanded availability of their marketplaces. The efforts of these partners and so many others has had an enormous impact in helping our mutual clients around the globe accelerate their AI journeys.

Continued investment in the IBM Ecosystem

This year, we continued to deliver on the principles of IBM Partner Plus - maximizing simplicity and predictability, deepening technical expertise and accelerating time to market with the right portfolio of products to unlock partner success. We introduced a dedicated “service” track, rolled out MSP-ready offerings and expanded partner earning capabilities with new additions to the Partner Plus program.

The enthusiasm we’re hearing from new transacting partners and hundreds of thousands of completed badges tells me we’re on the right path, enabling and supporting partners of all types and sizes to engage with clients however they prefer to transact.  

Additionally, partners have benefited from access to a continuous pipeline of AI innovation. In just the past few months, we introduced our latest generation of open, highly-performant Granite models, advancements in co-packaged optics that will bring the speed of light to Generative AI, and new ways to help enterprises utilize the power of AI assistants and AI agents. These are prime examples of the technology leadership that partners have come to rely on to co-innovate and win with clients.

The AI opportunity for partners in 2025

Perhaps most promising is that we have only scratched the surface of what’s expected to become a $16 trillion market by 2030. In fact, a new study from IBM revealed 62% of companies are increasing their AI investments in 2025. As I look at how well our partners are positioned in the market, I see tremendous near-term opportunity, specifically around the following four trends that will shape the AI landscape in the year ahead.

• Partners will be the ultimate force multiplier, helping enterprises address the need for skills and resources to shift even more AI projects from pilot to production.
• We are entering an era of Agentic AI but are still in the early days of understanding and seeing what AI agents can do. This creates massive opportunity for partners to serve as trusted advisors helping clients deploy responsible, safe agentic AI workflows. 
• Open-source AI models will continue to gain momentum for their transparency, flexibility, cost efficiency, and customization options, enabling a broader community of partners to innovate quickly and solve client challenges.
• Scaling AI without governance will hit roadblocks. Partners will be crucial in helping clients adopt the necessary AI governance solutions and frameworks that mitigate risk, reduce bias, and adhere to the evolving regulatory landscape.

Our partners have put in the time and the effort to show up for clients this year like never before. I’ve been privileged to meet and speak with so many new and existing partners and hearing their commitment to client success is invigorating. Next year, IBM will continue to double down on this community by investing in partners, their experience, and their education.

If 2024 was defined by AI exploration, then 2025 will be shaped by the companies that can put AI to work. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.