The global technology industry is entering a new phase of artificial intelligence adoption following a strategic announcement by IBM and Microsoft, which have joined forces to introduce a new enterprise AI platform designed to help businesses automate complex operations and transform industry-specific processes.
Announced on 10 November 2026, the new platform, called Imagine Enterprise, is designed to help organisations build, deploy and manage artificial intelligence agents that can work alongside employees to execute business processes. The initiative brings together IBM Consulting’s artificial intelligence expertise and Microsoft’s cloud, data and security technologies.
The announcement reflects a growing shift in enterprise technology, where businesses are moving beyond using AI simply to generate information or answer questions towards deploying intelligent systems capable of performing more complex operational tasks.
A new approach to enterprise artificial intelligence
Imagine Enterprise has been developed to help organisations integrate AI agents into their existing business environments without necessarily replacing the technology systems they already use.
According to IBM, its Consulting division will contribute more than 6,000 pre-built AI agents and supporting assets developed through its IBM Consulting Advantage platform. Microsoft, meanwhile, will provide the underlying artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, data management and security technologies.
The collaboration is intended to help businesses move from experimenting with AI applications towards implementing solutions that can operate within everyday business processes.
Rather than requiring organisations to develop every AI application independently, the platform offers access to existing AI capabilities that can be adapted to specific operational requirements.
This could be particularly relevant for businesses operating in industries where processes are complex, information is spread across multiple systems and decisions must comply with strict regulatory requirements.
Financial services, insurance and retail among the first industries targeted
The initial industry-specific frameworks for Imagine Enterprise will focus on financial services, insurance and retail.
These industries handle significant volumes of customer information, transactions and operational data, making them potential areas for AI-driven efficiency improvements.
In financial services, for example, AI agents could support internal workflows, assist with information processing and help employees access relevant business knowledge. In insurance, intelligent automation could assist with administrative processes and information management.
Retail businesses could also explore AI applications that improve operational coordination, customer service and access to business information.
IBM and Microsoft have indicated that the platform’s approach could eventually extend into additional industries, including manufacturing, energy, mobility and the public sector.
The expansion would create opportunities for organisations to explore AI applications that address challenges specific to their industries.
Bringing AI governance and cybersecurity into business operations
While artificial intelligence offers opportunities to improve productivity, its adoption also introduces important questions around security, accountability and responsible technology management.
Businesses deploying autonomous AI agents need to understand what information these systems can access, which tasks they are permitted to perform and how their activities can be monitored.
Imagine Enterprise is designed with governance and security capabilities to help organisations manage these risks.
The platform combines Microsoft technologies, including Microsoft Foundry, GitHub Copilot and Microsoft Copilot Studio, to support AI agent coordination.
Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Defender provide supporting capabilities across data management, cloud infrastructure, identity management, governance and cybersecurity.
IBM Consulting Advantage also contributes tools that support the design, deployment and governance of customised AI agents.
This integrated approach is important because businesses cannot focus exclusively on automation while overlooking the potential consequences of allowing AI systems to interact with sensitive company information and operational platforms.
Effective human oversight, clear access permissions and continuous monitoring will remain essential as organisations introduce increasingly capable AI systems.
SEI explores the potential of agentic AI
The announcement also highlighted the involvement of SEI, a global provider of financial technology, operations and asset management services.
SEI is exploring emerging and agentic AI technologies with IBM Consulting, supported by Microsoft, as part of its wider enterprise transformation efforts.
The collaboration is intended to explore how these technologies could improve business operations and enhance experiences for employees and clients.
Sneha Shah, Chief AI Strategist and Head of SEI Next, emphasised the importance of applying AI responsibly, strengthening trust and supporting human decision-making.
The example illustrates how businesses in highly regulated industries are beginning to consider the practical application of AI agents rather than treating artificial intelligence solely as an experimental technology.
What the development means for businesses
The IBM-Microsoft partnership highlights an important development in the enterprise technology market: the transition from AI-assisted productivity towards AI-supported business operations.
For organisations, the potential benefits include improved process efficiency, better access to institutional knowledge, reduced administrative workloads and more coordinated business activities.
However, successful implementation will depend on more than purchasing or deploying new technology.
Businesses will need to assess their existing infrastructure, establish appropriate governance policies, train employees and ensure that AI applications are aligned with operational objectives.
The availability of pre-built agents could also reduce some of the technical barriers associated with developing AI solutions from the beginning. Nevertheless, organisations will still need to evaluate whether individual applications are suitable for their systems, data requirements and regulatory environments.
For technology leaders, the priority will increasingly be determining where AI agents can deliver measurable business value while maintaining security, accountability and human control.
The future of AI-driven enterprise transformation
The launch of Imagine Enterprise demonstrates how major technology providers are positioning artificial intelligence as a central component of future business operations.
As organisations explore more advanced automation, the ability to connect AI systems with existing enterprise information, applications and workflows is likely to become an important competitive consideration.
The collaboration between IBM and Microsoft also signals growing demand for technology partnerships that combine AI development, cloud infrastructure, consulting expertise and cybersecurity.
For businesses considering their next phase of digital transformation, the focus is shifting from simply adopting artificial intelligence to understanding how it can be responsibly integrated into everyday operations.
Ultimately, the success of enterprise AI will depend not only on the capabilities of intelligent systems but also on how effectively organisations combine technology, skilled employees and responsible governance to achieve sustainable business outcomes.
