NEW YORK, June 2, 2025 — IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced watsonx AI Labs, a developer-first hub in New York City designed for AI builders and AI adoption at scale. watsonx AI Labs connects IBM’s enterprise resources and expertise with AI developers building AI applications for business.
Located in Manhattan at IBM’s new offices at One Madison, watsonx AI Labs extends IBM’s network of engineering labs, bringing together IBM researchers and engineers in a collaborative hub for co-creating and advancing agentic AI solutions. The lab will work side-by-side with startups, scale-ups, and enterprises to help discover AI value.
IBM said ew York City has more than 2,000 AI startups, and its AI workforce grew by nearly 25 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to Tech:NYC. Since 2019, more than 1,000 AI-related companies in New York City have raised $27 billion in funding.
Also today, IBM announced it will acquire expertise and license technology from Seek AI, the New York City-based startup building AI agents that leverage enterprise data. IBM said Seek AI will serve as a foundational part of watsonx AI Labs.
“This isn’t your typical corporate lab. watsonx AI Labs is where the best AI developers gain access to world-class engineers and resources and build new businesses and applications that will reshape AI for the enterprise,” said Ritika Gunnar, General Manager, Data & AI, IBM. “By anchoring this mission in New York City, we are investing in a diverse, world‑class talent pool and a vibrant community whose innovations have long shaped the tech landscape.”
“IBM’s launch of watsonx AI Labs signals a transformative investment in New York’s innovation ecosystem. By bringing together world-class engineering talent, emerging startups, and deep enterprise expertise right here in the heart of the city, this initiative strengthens New York’s position as a global hub for responsible and cutting-edge AI development,” said Julie Samuels, President and CEO of Tech:NYC. “It’s a win for our tech sector, communities, workforce, and economy. We’re thrilled to see IBM betting big on the extraordinary talent and entrepreneurial spirit that make this city so unique.”
The lab seeks to tap into New York City’s technology landscape by attracting local talent, pursuing collaborations with local universities and research institutions, and supporting local entrepreneurs. Consistent with IBM’s long-standing investment in New York State, over the next five years, local startups that successfully launch AI enterprise solutions at the lab will have access to technical experts, mentorship and amplification, as well as potential investment from IBM Ventures and its global $500M Enterprise AI Venture Fund.
“Building a foundational part of watsonx AI Labs allows us to pair our expertise building data agents with IBM’s engineering depth to solve clients’ toughest AI challenges,” said Sarah Nagy, CEO of Seek AI. “We’re excited to tackle these challenges here in New York City, where Seek AI was founded and the AI talent and innovation ecosystem is thriving.”
watsonx AI Labs will focus on co-creation of domain‑specific AI solutions to solve enterprises’ most complex challenges – from customer service and supply‑chain optimization to cybersecurity, responsible AI governance, and open-source AI.
