IBM and Pearson partner on AI learning tools

IBM and Pearson are forming a global partnership to develop personalized, AI-powered learning products for businesses, public organisations and educational institutions.

The companies, in an announcement, said the tools will be built using watsonx Orchestrate and watsonx Governance and will be available globally.

IBM will help Pearson build a custom AI-powered learning platform similar to IBM Consulting Advantage that combines human expertise with AI assistants, agents and assets, the companies said.

Pearson said recent research found inefficient career transitions and skills mismatches will cost the US economy $1.1 trillion in lost earnings annually.

The companies noted IBM customers and its 270,000 employees will have access to Pearson’s enterprise learning solutions, including Credly for digital credentialing, Faethm for strategic workforce planning, and Pearson Professional Assessments, which delivers IBM professional certification exams globally.

“Technology is evolving faster than human skills can keep pace," said Pearson CEO Omar Abbosh.

"To close this gap, learning must be embedded seamlessly into the flow of work. When people learn where work happens, it has an immediate impact on productivity and performance."

The companies said they will explore developing tools to verify the capabilities of AI agents, combining IBM’s expertise in reliable, responsible AI with Pearson’s experience in learning, skills development and recognised credentials.

The Recap

• IBM and Pearson form global partnership to build AI learning tools.
• Pearson research estimates $1.1 trillion annual US lost earnings.
• Platform development to combine AI assistants with human expertise.