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IBM and Google Cloud Announce Strategic Partnership to Scale AI with Human Expertise and AI‑Powered Delivery

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5 months ago

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Expands IBM Consulting Advantage, an AI‑powered delivery platform, with industry‑specific agents for Gemini EnterpriseNew global Google Cloud practice brings thousands of IBM consultants to help clients scale AI, and modernize core systems The practice represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity in Google Cloud Services 

ARMONK, N.Y. and SUNNYVALE, Calif., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Google Cloud today announced the launch of a new Google Cloud Practice, designed to help organizations more quickly scale AI into production and modernize core systems. The new practice combines IBM’s deep industry expertise and IBM Consulting Advantage – the company’s AI-powered platform that helps IBM teams design, build and deploy AI solutions faster using agents and industry workflows – now with Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform, cybersecurity and data capabilities.

With thousands of Google Cloud-certified IBM consultants and forward-deployed engineers, the practice will help enterprises deploy AI solutions, modernize legacy environments, and manage technology across complex hybrid landscapes. This represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity for IBM and Google Cloud, with each bringing unique strengths that matter to clients.

IBM is creating a portfolio of industry‑specific AI agents built on IBM Consulting Advantage and optimized for Gemini Enterprise. These agents support use cases for banking, government, retail, telecommunications, energy, security, insurance, and life sciences, helping organizations automate workflows, improve decision-making, and accelerate autonomous operations powered by Gemini models.

With the new partnership, IBM consultants can now design, build, and govern enterprise‑grade AI agents directly on Google Cloud. Pre‑built assets, reusable agents, and proven transformation methods from IBM can be combined with Google Cloud’s agent runtime, governance controls, and enterprise safety features, helping organizations move from design to deployment with enhanced speed and consistency.

IBM and Google Cloud have already partnered on major migration and modernization efforts, including work with Airbus, where IBM consultants and Google Cloud helped transition two aerospace businesses into fully independent operations in under 18 months by updating more than 100 critical systems across engineering, manufacturing, customer service, and other regulated functions.

“Enterprises are facing one of the most complex modernization cycles in decades,” said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting. “By expanding our work with Google Cloud, we’re giving clients a clearer and more reliable path to scale AI across their business, combining deep industry expertise, hybrid‑cloud modernization, and an AI‑first delivery platform.”

“This partnership significantly expands the pool of expert Google Cloud consultants in the market to meet surging demand for AI,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem at Google Cloud. “By combining Google’s agentic infrastructure with IBM’s deep industry expertise and proven delivery frameworks, we are ensuring joint customers can move beyond pilots to deploy and govern production-grade AI agents across their entire cloud environment.”

IBM Consulting will help develop common interface patterns and solutions that connect enterprise data into Gemini using an open and flexible approach by integrating technology from IBM and its ecosystem. These interfaces can be tailored for each client’s architecture, helping organizations unify their data while more easily scaling Gemini‑based AI capabilities. 

The practice focuses on several priority areas:

Production-ready AI and data: Helping clients build foundations that support real, skilled AI systems, rather than pilots, by combining IBM’s industry knowledge and AI assets with Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform and BigQuery.Industry‑specific solutions: Delivering AI and data capabilities for sectors such as aerospace, financial services, government, healthcare, and telecommunications. This includes Confluent to stream and govern real‑time data so AI systems can optimize operations, anticipate risk, and deliver outcomes tailored to each industry’s regulatory demands.Modernizing cybersecurity operations: Providing AI‑driven defense and security capabilities intended to strengthen readiness and accelerate response.Hybrid cloud modernization: Updating critical workloads across on‑premises and cloud environments, including for highly regulated industries. Red Hat OpenShift is now available directly in the Google Cloud Console.Enhanced AI‑powered workflows: Integrating Gemini with watsonx Orchestrate to improve decision automation and agent intelligence, and into watsonx.data to give clients more flexible ways to generate insights to support smarter applications.Operational resilience and governance: Using IBM automation, supported by HashiCorp and Apptio, with Google Cloud AI to support improved monitoring, compliance, and performance.

Statements regarding IBM’s and Google Cloud’s future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice, and represent goals and objectives only.

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain a competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service. Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

About Google Cloud
Google Cloud offers a powerful, optimized AI stack — including AI infrastructure, leading models like Gemini, data management capabilities, multicloud security solutions, developer tools and platform, as well as agents and applications — that enables organizations to transform their business for the Agentic Era. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner.

Media Contacts
Elizabeth Brophy
IBM
elizabeth.brophy@ibm.com

Josh Gunter
Google Cloud
jmgunter@google.com

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SOURCE IBM

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LEAP Group Relaunches HumanView, a Growth Intelligence System Built to Explain Why Customers Behave the Way They Do

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3 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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Reimagined from the ground up, HumanView pairs statistical modeling with expert analysts to turn millions of real-world customer signals into business decisions

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LEAP Group today announced the relaunch of HumanView, its growth intelligence service. The new version has been rebuilt from the ground up and now has a dedicated home at leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

HumanView analyzes what customers say and do across social platforms, e-commerce sites, review platforms, search behavior and user-generated content, including signals from Reddit, TikTok, YouTube, Meta, Amazon and Walmart+ that general AI tools cannot always access. Because the data reflects unprompted, real-world behavior, it avoids the response bias built into surveys and focus groups.

The service works in three layers. HumanView captures signals at scale, decodes millions of records through validated statistical models such as regression, correlation and clustering, and then relies on experienced analysts to interpret the patterns. Clients receive clear, human-validated insights instead of another dashboard.

“Machines find the patterns. Humans find the point,” said Alan Gilleo, CEO at LEAP Group. “The first version of HumanView showed us how much customers reveal when nobody is asking them questions. This version is built to explain why they act the way they do, and to put those answers in front of everyone making decisions, from product to service to marketing.”

HumanView focuses on three areas:

Growth Intelligence: customer motivations and how people perceive a brand and its competitors

Market and Category Intelligence: product pain points, service friction, unmet needs and competitive gaps

Audience Intelligence: new segments, positioning opportunities and gaps in the market

Every model is designed and validated by data scientists and benchmarked before it informs a recommendation.

To learn more about HumanView, visit leapgroupnetwork.com/humanview.

About LEAP Group
LEAP Group is a boutique marketing agency holding company with offices in Louisville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago. Guided by the belief that brands should “Market Less. Matter More.,” LEAP gives clients access to specialized experts across its entire network. Learn more at leapgroupnetwork.com.

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SOURCE LEAP Group

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STEPHEN A. SMITH ADDRESSES WHITE HOUSE DINNER ATTENDANCE, REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HBCUs AND PROTECTING CORPORATE INVESTMENT IN BLACK EDUCATION

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4 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Stephen A. Smith, media mogul, New York Times bestselling author, and proud 1991 graduate of Winston-Salem State University, is addressing the public discussion surrounding his decision to attend a White House dinner with President Donald Trump, emphasizing his commitment to the long-term financial stability of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

For Smith, the decision was rooted in a commitment to institutions that have educated generations of Black leaders, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants.

“I will always advocate for HBCUs and the students whose futures depend on them,” Smith said. “My reason for attending the White House dinner was to discuss the challenges these institutions face in securing long-term funding and to make the case that corporate America must continue to invest in them.”

Smith acknowledged federal support through the FUTURE Act while expressing concern that political tensions surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) could discourage private companies from supporting HBCUs. He maintains that these institutions deserve sustained corporate partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and public investment.

“If we truly believe in free-market capitalism, businesses should be able to support educational institutions and charitable causes without fear of criticism or repercussions,” Smith said. “HBCUs have made extraordinary contributions to this country. They deserve sustained public and private investment.”

Ashley Christopher, Esq., Founder and CEO of the HBCU Week Foundation, recognized Smith’s advocacy and decision to engage with the administration.

“Stephen A. Smith has been a powerful advocate for HBCUs, using his platform and influence to shine a national spotlight on our institutions,” expressed Christopher, “His continued support of HBCU Week helps advance our mission of connecting students with life-changing educational opportunities, and we are proud to have him as our ambassador.”

Since Smith became an HBCU Week Ambassador in 2019, the initiative has facilitated more than 15,000 on-the-spot college acceptances and raised and awarded more than $150 million in scholarships, according to the HBCU Week Foundation.

As public discussion continues, Smith is emphasizing the importance of ensuring HBCUs have the resources and partnerships needed to educate future generations and expand opportunities for students.

CLICK HERE to watch Smith’s full response to his White House visit.

MEDIA CONTACT:

media@mrsasinc.com

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SOURCE Straight Shooter Media

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Advantex Announces Completion of Financing and Extension of Maturity Date of Previously Issued Debentures

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4 hours ago

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October 24, 2026

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TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Advantex Marketing International Inc. (CSE: ADX) (“Advantex”), a leader in the merchant cash advance and loyalty marketing products for merchants, today announced the completion of a $250,000 secured debt financing. Advantex issued a $250,000 non-convertible debenture which bears an interest rate at 12% per annum and matures December 15, 2027. The proceeds raised from this issuance of the Debenture will be used for working capital purposes.

Advantex has also extended the maturity of its existing $700,000 in 12% secured debentures from October 10, 2026 to December 15, 2027.

About Advantex Marketing International Inc.

Advantex provides working capital to merchants. Advantex also provides specialized marketing programs that enable members of Aeroplan to earn Aeroplan points at participating merchants.

Advantex shares trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol ADX. For more information go to Advantex’s profile on www.sedar.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws relating to the future business and operations of Advantex. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The business and operations of Advantex described herein is dependent on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ material include, but are not limited to, changes in Advantex’s economic and competitive conditions including but not limited to the industry sectors in which Advantex operates.

The statements in this news release are made of the date of this release. Forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date the statements are made and Advantex undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Advantex Marketing International Inc.

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