IBM, OpenAI forge AI consulting, delivery pact

IBM and OpenAI said they have formed a strategic partnership that embeds OpenAI's frontier models and other products with IBM Consulting's capabilities.

The deal includes IBM forward deployed engineers trained through the OpenAI Partner Network. IBM will also launch a dedicated OpenAI practice.

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For OpenAI, the IBM deal builds out its ground game for AI deployments and provides an army of consultants.

IBM's announcement with OpenAI followed a $240 million agreement between Big Blue and Together AI to deploy a large cluster of Nvidia HGX B300 systems on IBM Cloud to support open-source model inference.

According to IBM and OpenAI, the partnership will include GPT-5.6 models, Codex and ChatGPT Work with IBM Consulting Advantage, an AI platform for delivering consulting services.

The focus of the partnership will include:

• Transformation of legacy operations by embedding OpenAI services into processes and redesigned workflows.
• Modernizing applications and developing products. The collaboration between IBM and OpenAI will include collectively working with clients to simplify operations.
• Cybersecurity and AI risk management services. The companies said IBM will participate in the OpenAI Daybreak Cyber Partner Program. OpenAI's models will be combined with IBM Autonomous Security, a multi-agent cybersecurity service.
• IBM will joint OpenAI's Elite partner tier.