Latest news with #MohamadAli
Cision Canada
06-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
IBM Study: CEOs Double Down on AI While Navigating Enterprise Hurdles
CEO respondents say they expect the growth rate of AI investments will more than double over the next two years 50% of surveyed CEOs report that rapid investment has resulted in disconnected technology within their organization ARMONK, N.Y., May 6, 2025 /CNW/ -- A new global study by the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value found that surveyed CEOs are committed to advancing AI solutions across their organization even as they face challenges from accelerating technology adoption. The IBM CEO study,* which surveyed 2,000 CEOs globally, revealed that executive respondents expect the growth rate of AI investments to more than double in the next two years, and 61% confirm they are actively adopting AI agents today and preparing to implement them at scale. According to the findings, 68% of surveyed CEOs identify integrated enterprise-wide data architecture as critical for cross-functional collaboration, and 72% view their organization's proprietary data as key to unlocking the value of generative AI. However, the research indicates organizations may be struggling to cultivate an effective data environment: half (50%) of respondents acknowledge that the pace of recent investments has left their organization with disconnected, piecemeal technology. In the foreword of the study, IBM Vice Chairman Gary Cohn writes, "As AI adoption accelerates creating greater efficiency, and productivity gains, the ultimate pay-off will only come to CEOs with the courage to embrace risk as opportunity. Meaning, focusing on what you can control, especially when there is so much you can't. When the business environment is uncertain, using AI and your enterprise data to identify where you have leverage is a competitive advantage. At this point, leaders who aren't leveraging AI and their own data to move forward are making a conscious business decision not to compete." "CEOs are balancing the pressures of short-term ROI and investing in long-term innovation when it comes to adopting AI," said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting. "But we know that organizations that keep innovating, especially during periods of uncertainty, will emerge stronger and be better positioned to capitalize on new opportunities." Other key findings include: Surveyed CEOs report that only 25% of AI initiatives have delivered expected ROI over the last few years, and only 16% have scaled enterprise wide. To accelerate progress, two-thirds (65%) of CEO respondents say their organization is leaning into AI use cases based on ROI, with 68% reporting that their organization has clear metrics to measure innovation ROI effectively. Just over half (52%) of CEO respondents say their organization is realizing value from generative AI investments beyond cost reduction. 64% of CEOs surveyed acknowledge that the risk of falling behind drives investment in some technologies before they have a clear understanding of the value they bring to the organization, but only 37% say it's better to be "fast and wrong" than "right and slow" when it comes to technology adoption. 59% of surveyed CEOs admit their organization struggles to balance funding for existing operations and investment in innovation when unexpected change occurs, as 67% say more budget flexibility is needed to capitalize on digital opportunities that drive long-term growth and innovation. By 2027, 85% of surveyed CEOs expect their investments in scaled AI efficiency and cost savings to have returned a positive ROI, while 77% expect to see a positive return from their investments in scaled AI growth and expansion. CEOs see strategic leadership and specialized talent as essential to unlocking AI value, amid expertise and skills gaps 69% of CEO respondents say their organization's success is directly tied to maintaining a broad group of leaders with a deep understanding of strategy and the authority to make critical decisions. 67% of CEOs surveyed say that differentiation depends on having the right expertise in the right positions with the right incentives. CEOs cite lack of collaboration across organizational silos, aversion to risk and disruption, and lack of expertise and knowledge as top barriers to innovation in their organization. Surveyed CEOs say roughly one-third (31%) of the workforce will require retraining and/or reskilling over the next three years, while 65% say their organization will use automation to address skill gaps. 54% of CEO respondents say they are hiring for roles related to AI that did not exist a year ago. To view the full study, visit: *Study Methodology The IBM Institute for Business Value, in cooperation with Oxford Economics, surveyed 2,000 CEOs from 33 countries and 24 industries between February and April 2025. Survey questions covered several key areas, including organizational performance, strategic priorities and innovation challenges. The survey also explored how companies manage change, adopt technology like AI, make decisions, leadership approaches, talent strategies, cultural readiness for transformation, collaboration efforts and regulatory concerns. The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM's thought leadership think tank, combines global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: 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 the 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 for more information.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IBM unveils Microsoft Practice to advance digital transformation
Tech giant IBM has introduced Microsoft Practice within IBM Consultingto advance digital transformation efforts for organisations. The move marks a new phase in the company's ongoing collaboration with Microsoft and is aimed at helping organisations manage AI, cloud, and cybersecurity transformations more effectively. The newly formed practice is structured to bring together IBM's industry-specific expertise and Microsoft's technology portfolio. Tools such as Copilot, Azure OpenAI, Azure Cloud, Fabric, and Sentinel will be combined to assist businesses in pursuing growth, lower costs, and build 'sustainable competitive advantage'. IBM Consulting senior vice president and head Mohamad Ali said: 'IBM Consulting is committed to our clients' successes and we're proud to offer them the opportunity of working with an ecosystem of global industry leaders with proven track records of innovation and delivery excellence. 'Establishing a dedicated Microsoft Practice is needed to drive meaningful business outcomes for our clients and I look forward to what we will be able to achieve together.' A workforce of more than 33,000 Microsoft-certified professionals will support this initiative across markets where IBM Consulting operates, the company said. The team will offer businesses with access to innovation in cloud, AI, data, and security, as well as IBM's global scale and implementation capabilities, including the newly-opened IBM and Microsoft Experience Zones. IBM's Microsoft Practice also offers end-to-end transformation capabilities, from strategy to implementation and ongoing optimisation, backed by enterprise-grade security and compliance controls. Microsoft's technologies will also be embedded within IBM Consulting's AI-enabled delivery platform, IBM Consulting Advantage. With Copilot integrated into this platform, clients will have access to AI-driven tools designed for specific operational needs, with a focus on maintaining security and oversight, IBM added. The practice is expected to introduce new solutions tailored to key industries, including retail, financial services, government, supply chain, and consumer goods. Leveraging tools like IBM Copilot Runway and IBM Consulting Azure OpenAI Services, the practice will assist clients scale generative AI adoption for growth, efficiency, and industry innovation. Earlier in April 2025, the company introduced the latest version of its mainframe hardware engineered to support AI across software, hardware, and systems operations. "IBM unveils Microsoft Practice to advance digital transformation" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IBM Acquires Hakkoda Inc., Expanding Data Expertise to Fuel Clients' AI Transformations
ARMONK, N.Y., April 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it has acquired Hakkoda Inc., a leading global data and AI consultancy. Hakkoda will expand IBM Consulting's data transformation services portfolio, adding specialized data platform expertise to help clients get their data ready to fuel AI-powered business operations. Hakkoda has leading capabilities in migrating, modernizing, and monetizing data estates and is an award-winning Snowflake partner. This acquisition amplifies IBM's ability to meet the rapidly growing demand for data services and help clients build integrated enterprise data estates that are optimized for speed, cost and efficiency across multiple business use cases. Hakkoda also brings a strong portfolio of generative AI powered assets that can speed up data modernization projects. Their industry solutions complement and build on their consultants' deep expertise in industries like financial services, public sector, and healthcare and life sciences. Hakkoda will further expand IBM's ability to bring both consulting expertise and AI to clients using its AI-powered delivery platform, IBM Consulting Advantage. "IBM is at the leading edge of the consulting industry with how we're supercharging our consultants with AI," said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting. "With Hakkoda's data expertise, deep technology partnerships and asset-centric delivery model, IBM will be even better positioned to deliver value faster to clients as they transform with AI." "From the beginning, Hakkoda has committed to being 'in the arena', not observing the greatest transformation in history but shaping it," said Erik Duffield, CEO and Co-founder of Hakkoda. "It is because of this that we are excited to join IBM at this critical moment when organizations are looking for a trusted partner to help them modernize their data for the AI era. IBM's heritage of innovation, their commitment to discovery and deep partnerships with clients on their most technical challenges is a perfect pairing to take Hakkoda's industry focused modern data consulting to the global marketplace." Estimated global spending for enterprise intelligence services initiatives stands at $169 billion and, with a five-year CAGR of about 13 percent, is expected to grow to more than $243 billion by 2028, according to IDC1. To extract value from their data, business leaders need a thoughtful data migration strategy and a modern, multi-use case data platform on the cloud. As an Elite Snowflake partner, Hakkoda brings hundreds of SnowPro core and advanced certifications. They were named the 2024 Snowflake Healthcare & Life Sciences Services Partner of the Year and 2023 Snowflake Americas System Integrator Innovation Partner of the Year. Hakkoda is also an advanced-tier partner of AWS. Hakkoda is headquartered in New York and brings hundreds of experts across the United States, Latin America, India, Europe, and the United Kingdom to IBM Consulting. For more information on Hakkoda, visit The acquisition closed on April 2, 2025, and financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. About IBMIBM 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 the 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 for more information. Media ContactMichelle MattelsonIBM External Relationsmorrison@ 1 IDC Worldwide Enterprise Intelligence Services Forecast, 2024–2028, doc # US51423624, July 2024 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE IBM View original content to download multimedia:
Tourism Breaking News
12-03-2025
- Business
- Tourism Breaking News
Riyadh Air and IBM to build AI-driven enterprise, to elevate guest and employee experiences
Post Views: 98 Riyadh Air and IBM partner to build AI-driven enterprise, to elevate guest and employee experiences. Agreement will see Riyadh Air leverage IBM watsonx and IBM Consulting solutions to drive Riyadh Air's vision as the world's first digital native airline. The collaboration aims to help power the Saudi Arabian airline's mission to launch flights in 2025 while offering an elevated guest experience. IBM announced a new agreement with Riyadh Air, which will integrate watsonx, IBM's portfolio of AI products, and IBM Consulting AI solutions to establish an enterprise-wide AI capability to elevate Riyadh Air guest and employee experiences. As Riyadh Air prepares for its inaugural flights in late 2025, the new Saudi Arabian airline sets another key building block of its journey in redefining air travel as the world's first digital native carrier. The announcement took place at the third edition of The FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 Summit, where senior executives from both IBM and Riyadh Air, including Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, and Mohamad Ali, SVP and Head of IBM Consulting, reaffirmed their commitment to driving innovation in the aviation sector. Building a world-class airline requires more than just aircraft and infrastructure; it demands an intelligent digital foundation that anticipates passenger needs, streamlines operations, and empowers employees. Riyadh Air is embracing this challenge by making AI the driving force behind its transformation. Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, said: Riyadh Air is more than just an airline; it is a gateway to new opportunities for travelers from the Kingdom and beyond. As we move closer to our first flight later in 2025, our vision is to deliver a seamless, world-class travel experience by expanding our reach, pioneering innovations, and redefining industry standards. By deepening our collaboration with IBM, we are harnessing the power of AI, from intelligent customer interactions to optimized flight operations, to set a new benchmark for the future of aviation. This agreement aims to strengthen Riyadh Air's position as a truly digital-native airline, building on IBM's AI-driven products and solutions together with IBM Consulting as its lead systems integrator. IBM's watsonx, IBM's portfolio of AI products will serve as the foundation for Riyadh Air's AI platform, driving mission-critical functions and fostering open innovation with multi-model AI. The new platform will be built with a focus on data security, privacy, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI adoption. Riyadh Air will also leverage Agentic AI to deploy autonomous bots to enable seamless and personalized system interactions. IBM will oversee the installation and deployment of watsonx, as well as develop AI use cases utilizing IBM Garage methodology to drive automation and digital transformation. With IBM Consulting Advantage, an AI-powered delivery platform, Riyadh Air will deploy AI solutions to boost efficiency and service, including AI-powered Virtual Assistants for customer and employee self-service. Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting, said: By embedding watsonx at the core of its operations, Riyadh Air is taking an AI-first approach to redefine air travel and set new industry standards as the world's first digital-native airline. Together we are supercharging our teams with AI to enhance traveler experiences, optimize operations, and shape the future of aviation in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The airline's decision to partner with IBM Consulting and watsonx was driven by IBM's strong track record in AI transformation, backed by successful past engagements with Riyadh Air that established trust and credibility. IBM's immersive engagement model played a key role in the expanded relationship. Hands-on AI workshops showcased real-world benefits for guests and employees, and IBM offered AI technology and enterprise services into an integrated solution tailored to Riyadh Air's digital goals. Additionally, IBM Consulting Advantage allows Riyadh Air employees and IBM consultants to work side by side to deliver rapid innovation, scalable solutions, and accelerated value helping Riyadh Air shape next-generation travel experiences. Riyadh Air's AI-driven strategy aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which aims to serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030, positioning the Kingdom as a global aviation hub. By embedding AI across its ecosystem, Riyadh Air sets a new industry benchmark as a truly digital-native airline. This collaboration with IBM marks a transformative leap forward, enabling a comprehensive, intelligent, and highly personalized travel experience designed to anticipate and adapt to the evolving needs of travelers worldwide.
Trade Arabia
25-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Riyadh Air, IBM to create AI enterprise for enhanced experiences
IBM has announced a new agreement with Riyadh Air, which will integrate watsonx, IBM's portfolio of AI products, and IBM Consulting AI solutions to establish an enterprise-wide AI capability to elevate Riyadh Air guest and employee experiences. As Riyadh Air prepares for its inaugural flights in late 2025, the new Saudi Arabian airline sets another key building block of its journey in redefining air travel as the world's first digital native carrier. The announcement took place at the third edition of The FII PRIORITY Miami 2025 Summit, where senior executives from both IBM and Riyadh Air, including Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer, and Mohamad Ali, SVP and Head of IBM Consulting, reaffirmed their commitment to driving innovation in the aviation sector. Building a world-class airline requires more than just aircraft and infrastructure; it demands an intelligent digital foundation that anticipates passenger needs, streamlines operations, and empowers employees. Riyadh Air is embracing this challenge by making AI the driving force behind its transformation. 'Riyadh Air is more than just an airline; it is a gateway to new opportunities for travellers from the Kingdom and beyond,' said Adam Boukadida, Riyadh Air Chief Financial Officer. 'As we move closer to our first flight later in 2025, our vision is to deliver a seamless, world-class travel experience by expanding our reach, pioneering innovations, and redefining industry standards. By deepening our collaboration with IBM, we are harnessing the power of AI, from intelligent customer interactions to optimised flight operations, to set a new benchmark for the future of aviation.' This agreement aims to strengthen Riyadh Air's position as a truly digital-native airline, building on IBM's AI-driven products and solutions together with IBM Consulting as its lead systems integrator. IBM's watsonx, IBM's portfolio of AI products will serve as the foundation for Riyadh Air's AI platform, driving mission-critical functions and fostering open innovation with multi-model AI. The new platform will be built with a focus on data security, privacy, regulatory compliance, and responsible AI adoption. Riyadh Air will also leverage Agentic AI to deploy autonomous bots to enable seamless and personalised system interactions. IBM will oversee the installation and deployment of watsonx, as well as develop AI use cases utilising IBM Garage methodology to drive automation and digital transformation. With IBM Consulting Advantage, an AI-powered delivery platform, Riyadh Air will deploy AI solutions to boost efficiency and service, including AI-powered Virtual Assistants for customer and employee self-service. 'By embedding watsonx at the core of its operations, Riyadh Air is taking an AI-first approach to redefine air travel and set new industry standards as the world's first digital-native airline," said Mohamad Ali, Senior Vice President and Head of IBM Consulting. "Together we are supercharging our teams with AI to enhance traveller experiences, optimise operations, and shape the future of aviation in Saudi Arabia and beyond.'
