IBM Unveils AI Operating Model at Think 2026

IBM unveiled a comprehensive AI operating model and expanded its enterprise portfolio at its annual Think 2026 conference in Boston, aiming to integrate data, agents, automation, and hybrid cloud for scalable business transformation. The event, running through Wednesday, featured announcements including general availability of the IBM Bob developer tool and Sovereign Core platform, alongside previews of updated Watsonx Orchestrate and the Concert operations platform.

IBM Chairman, President, and CEO Arvind Krishna described the model during his keynote as foundational for enterprises shifting from marginal AI projects to core operations. "The enterprises pulling ahead are not deploying more AI; they're redesigning how their business operates," Krishna said. He highlighted internal results, including 4.5 billion dollars in annualized productivity gains from AI and hybrid cloud, with over 80,000 IBM developers achieving 45 percent average productivity increases using Bob.

The model addresses enterprise challenges like agent sprawl, siloed data, and governance needs. Watsonx Orchestrate, now in private preview, serves as a control plane for multi-agent orchestration, supporting...