IBM and Microsoft launch Imagine Enterprise agent platform

IBM and Microsoft launched Imagine Enterprise, a platform for building, running and governing AI agents in industry-specific processes. The companies say it is available now through IBM Consulting-operated deployments, co-innovation engagements or self-management options.

IBM contributes more than 6,000 prebuilt AI agents and assets based on IBM Consulting Advantage, as well as its experience building and operating them. Process Studio, Context Studio and Advantage Core are intended to help clients design and deploy tailored agents, connect them with company data and processes, and govern their workflows.

Microsoft Foundry, Copilot Studio and GitHub Copilot provide tools for coordinating agents and enterprise systems. Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft 365 infrastructure contribute to the data foundation, while Entra, Purview, Defender and Azure supply identity, AI governance, security and cloud infrastructure.

Forward-deployed engineers from both companies are available for qualifying engagements as projects move from co-design or experimentation toward production. IBM and Microsoft say the platform can connect agents to existing enterprise systems without requiring clients to replace their current platforms, while adding observability, AI-compliance support and controls. Those are intended benefits described by the vendors, not independently measured results.

The initial industry frameworks cover financial services, insurance and retail. Manufacturing, energy, the public sector and mobility are listed only as possible later additions. IBM said the companies made a joint investment to co-develop the platform, but it did not disclose the amount.

The launch materials cite financial technology company SEI as exploring emerging and agentic technologies with support from IBM Consulting and Microsoft. They do not establish that SEI has completed an Imagine Enterprise deployment or report measured business results from the platform.