Lumen Technologies and IBM have announced a transformative collaboration aimed at developing enterprise-grade AI solutions at the edge. By integrating IBM’s watsonx AI portfolio with Lumen’s robust Edge Cloud infrastructure and network, the two companies seek to empower organizations with real-time AI inferencing capabilities, positioning them to overcome the challenges of cost, latency, and security as they scale AI adoption to enhance customer experiences.
Revolutionizing AI Deployment at the Edge
Lumen’s cutting-edge, low-latency infrastructure plays a pivotal role in supporting the rapidly growing AI economy. The newly developed AI inferencing solutions, optimized for the edge, will leverage IBM’s watsonx technology within Lumen’s strategically placed edge data centers. This collaboration also taps into Lumen’s multi-cloud architecture, enabling businesses across industries such as financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail to analyze vast amounts of data in near real-time. The result is a significant reduction in latency and a more agile, secure approach to AI model development and deployment.
“Enterprise leaders are not just looking to explore AI—they need to scale it quickly, securely, and cost-effectively,” said Ryan Asdourian, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Lumen Technologies. “By combining IBM’s advanced AI capabilities with Lumen’s edge network, we’re making real-time intelligence accessible wherever data is generated. This partnership accelerates innovation, helping businesses enhance customer experiences and make smarter, faster decisions.”
Unlocking the Full Potential of GenAI at the Edge
Lumen’s high-performance edge network offers latency of under 5 milliseconds and direct connectivity to major cloud providers, as well as enterprise locations. When integrated with IBM’s watsonx, this infrastructure enables real-time AI processing, significantly reducing the risks and costs associated with public cloud dependence.
IBM Consulting will serve as the preferred systems integrator for the partnership, offering clients the expertise needed to scale deployments and maximize their AI investments. With deep technology, industry, and domain knowledge, IBM will help organizations fully leverage the AI capabilities made possible through this collaboration.
Also Read: Meta & Cerebras Partner to Speed Llama API Inference Devs
“Our partnership with Lumen reflects IBM’s commitment to delivering enterprise-grade AI and hybrid cloud solutions wherever data resides,” said Adam Lawrence, General Manager, Americas Technology, IBM. “Together, we are empowering clients to accelerate their AI initiatives with greater speed, flexibility, and security—creating new opportunities at the edge, from automated customer service to predictive maintenance and intelligent supply chain solutions.”
AI in Action: Transforming Business Operations
The collaboration between Lumen and IBM is designed to address critical business challenges by delivering real-world AI solutions at the edge. For enterprises, this translates to faster insights, cost reductions, and a more intelligent approach to digital transformation.
Lumen and IBM will jointly offer these solutions to clients, enabling them to explore real-world applications across various industries, including manufacturing, retail, logistics, and financial services. A notable example of this collaboration is a leading retailer’s initiative to enhance customer service through AI-powered digital assistants and visual inspection tools, which improve customer data management and inventory systems. This transformation is set to provide customers with more personalized, seamless, and efficient shopping experiences.
“This collaboration is set to redefine the potential of AI at the edge,” added Asdourian. “We are focused on enabling enterprises to bring AI directly to their data, ensuring they retain control, meet compliance requirements, and achieve real-time performance that drives business success.”
With this strategic partnership, Lumen and IBM are positioning themselves at the forefront of the AI revolution, helping organizations tap into the immense value of edge computing and AI to drive innovation and business growth.