IBM

IBM provides software, consulting and computing infrastructure that help enterprises integrate AI into business systems and workflows. Its portfolio includes watsonx, Red Hat, IBM Z mainframes, servers and storage. Organizations use these offerings to build AI applications, modernize existing systems and connect operations across hybrid cloud environments. Confluent streams live operational events into watsonx.data, supplying models and agents with continuously updated enterprise data, lineage and policy controls.

Charles Ranlett Flint organized the 1911 merger that created Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company. Thomas J. Watson Sr. joined in 1914 and renamed it International Business Machines in 1924; today, Arvind Krishna is chairman, president and CEO. IBM’s research contributions include Edgar F. Codd’s 1970 relational model, which let users query related tables without knowing their physical storage layout. Subsequent System R work developed SQL and cost-based query optimization.

IBM completed its Confluent acquisition in March 2026 at approximately $11 billion in enterprise value. At closing, IBM said more than 6,500 enterprises relied on Confluent, giving its data-streaming business an established customer base. IBM also completed its acquisition of HRL Laboratories in August 2026, adding silicon-spin qubit and quantum-sensing expertise alongside its superconducting quantum-computing research. HRL brings capabilities in materials, cryogenics and control electronics; financial terms were undisclosed.