#**IBM

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IBM’s Strategic Acquisition of Seek AI and the Launch of Watsonx AI Labs in New York City

In a significant move to bolster its position in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, IBM has acquired Seek AI, a data analysis startup specializing in natural language processing for enterprise data queries. Concurrently, IBM announced the establishment of Watsonx AI Labs, an AI accelerator located in New York City. These initiatives underscore IBM’s commitment to advancing AI technologies and fostering innovation within the enterprise sector.

Understanding Seek AI and Its Innovations

Founded in 2021 by Sarah Nagy, Seek AI has developed a platform that enables users to interact with enterprise data using natural language. This technology allows individuals to pose questions in everyday language, which the system then translates into database queries, facilitating intuitive and efficient data analysis. Seek AI’s solutions have been particularly impactful in sectors such as e-commerce, financial services, and consumer packaged goods, where rapid data insights are crucial for decision-making.

Timeline and Strategic Planning Behind the Acquisition

IBM’s acquisition of Seek AI is part of a broader strategy to enhance its AI capabilities, particularly in natural language processing and data analytics. The planning for this acquisition began in early 2025, with IBM identifying Seek AI’s technology as complementary to its existing AI portfolio. The deal was finalized and publicly announced on June 2, 2025.

Key Figures and Their Roles

The acquisition brings Sarah Nagy, Seek AI’s founder and CEO, into IBM’s fold. Nagy’s expertise in data analytics and AI will be instrumental in integrating Seek AI’s technology into IBM’s offerings. Additionally, Ritika Gunnar, IBM’s General Manager of Data and AI, has been a pivotal figure in orchestrating the launch of Watsonx AI Labs and aligning it with IBM’s strategic objectives.

Significance of the Acquisition and the AI Accelerator

This acquisition is significant for several reasons:

Technological Enhancement: Integrating Seek AI’s natural language processing capabilities enhances IBM’s AI solutions, making them more user-friendly and accessible to enterprise clients.

Market Positioning: By acquiring a startup with innovative technology, IBM strengthens its position in the competitive AI market, particularly in the realm of enterprise data analytics.

Innovation Hub: The establishment of Watsonx AI Labs in New York City positions IBM at the heart of a vibrant tech ecosystem, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Rationale Behind IBM’s Strategic Moves

An AI Lab—short for Artificial Intelligence Laboratory—is a dedicated center for the research, development, and application of AI technologies. These labs are typically operated by universities, tech giants, startups, or public-private partnerships. The goal is to advance the state of artificial intelligence through cutting-edge experiments, model development, ethical testing, and product innovation.

Unlike a regular software development unit, AI labs are innovation-driven, where the focus lies on solving complex problems using machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and even robotics. They serve as hubs for technologists, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to collaborate, ideate, and build the future of intelligent systems.

AI Labs operate at the intersection of technology, business, and academia. Here’s what typically happens within these innovation centers:

1. Pioneering AI Research

The primary mission of most AI Labs is to drive advanced research in areas like deep learning, generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and reinforcement learning. These labs often publish white papers, participate in global AI challenges, and contribute to the open-source AI ecosystem.

Read More : IBM’s Strategic Acquisition of Seek AI and the Launch of Watsonx AI Labs in New York City

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A sony laptop 1986.

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Internal IBM document, 1979 (via Fabricio Teixeira)

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Start Me Up: 30 years of Windows 95 - @commodorez and @ms-dos5

30 years ago, Microsoft introduced Windows 95 and set the standard for graphical user interfaces that is still in use today. We will be displaying all major versions of 95, from one of the Chicago Beta releases, through the final update from 1997, on a wide variety of hardware from a number of prominent manufacturers. Come experience what made Windows 95 a household name, play some games, and see what made computing accessible and easy for everyone.

MS-DOS5 and I started planning this one in 2023, because we knew the anniversary was coming up and we wanted to give such a significant milestone in computing history the credit and spotlight it deserved. Computers and software come from both of our collections, with the exception of one desktop on loan from the Glitchworks. All of the 90s CRTs were on loan from our friends Sark, RadRacer203, and CJ.

The result was 18 feet worth of exhibit table, filled to the brim with copies of Windows 95, and associated software. We had computers running Chicago Beta 73g, RTM, OSR 1, OSR 2, and OSR 2.5 arranged in order to show the full life cycle of Windows 95 from 1993-1997. We also had companion software like Plus!, various versions of Microsoft Office (all from MS-DOS5's extensive collection), 95-specific games (from Microsoft and third parties alike), as well as training software. We included a number of important books about Windows 95, an era-appropriate network hub tying most machines together, a dot matrix printer, 90s mousepads, and even some big tractor-feed banners printed from one of the 95 machines.

All told, it was the most elaborate exhibit either of us have ever done, and the results were better than I could have imagined. That was a blast to put together, and super fun to show off at VCF East.

VCF East XX

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IBM ThinkPad 345C (1995)

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Buildinga robot

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Fuckable Object #6 IBM ThinkPad 701 Series (1995)

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USA 1993

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IBM PS/1 Model 2121 (1992)

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old computers print....i wanted to stick to the most famous and/or iconic ones for the most part but i wanted to include sooo many of my lesser known favourites

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IBM 360 mainframe in Germany, 1965. Photo by Rolf Herkner.

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IBM System/360

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IBM 5140 Convertible laptop computer running Microsoft MS-DOS Version 5.00 1986 (x)

[commodorez]

IBM Thinkpad 701CS - the one with the famous butterfly keyboard - VCF Southwest 2023

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IBM ThinkPad X32 (2005)