Qualcomm and IBM Forge Ahead with Enterprise Generative AI
SAN DIEGO – February 27, 2025 – Ahead of Mobile World Congress 2025, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and IBM are building on their existing relationship with an expanded collaboration. The goal is to deliver enterprise-grade generative artificial intelligence (AI) solutions across edge and cloud devices. This expanded partnership is designed to improve immediacy, privacy, reliability, personalization, and reduce both cost and energy consumption.
Integrated AI Solutions
The collaboration centers on integrating IBM’s watsonx.governance into the Qualcomm AI Inference Suite. This will allow enterprises to more effectively manage their AI initiatives at scale. The solutions will run on devices powered by Qualcomm’s high-performance, low-power platforms. The companies also plan to support IBM’s Granite models through the Qualcomm® AI Hub.
“At Qualcomm Technologies, we are excited to join forces with IBM to deliver cutting-edge, enterprise-grade generative AI solutions for devices across the edge and cloud,” said Durga Malladi, senior vice president and general manager, technology planning and edge solutions, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This collaboration enables businesses to deploy AI solutions that are not only fast and personalized but also come with robust governance, monitoring, and decision-making capabilities, with the ability to enhance the overall reliability of AI from edge to cloud.”
Ritika Gunnar, General Manager, Data and AI, IBM, stated, “Deepening our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies strengthens our ability to bring enterprise-grade generative AI from the cloud to the edge. By optimizing IBM’s watsonx.governance and Granite models for use with Snapdragon and Qualcomm Dragonwing platforms, we’re helping businesses capitalize on the transformative power of AI no matter where the data resides. It’s a great example of the power of partnership.”
Qualcomm Platforms Support IBM Watsonx and Granite Models
Following their initial announcement at CES, Qualcomm and IBM intend to run watsonx.governance and Granite Guardian 8B and Granite 3.1 8B models on a Snapdragon® 8 Elite reference design, as well as the Qualcomm Dragonwing™ AI On-Prem Appliance Solution, all using the Qualcomm AI Inference Suite. These models will provide complete generative AI solutions operating from the edge. They will feature built-in guardrails for controlling model deployments, operations and decisions.
This combination of on-device inferencing, low power consumption, and privacy, with the power of watsonx, is designed to help businesses address key areas of security, efficiency, reliability, and governance for AI solutions.
Qualcomm AI Hub and IBM Granite Models
Qualcomm Technologies has already optimized IBM Granite 3.1, IBM’s third-generation Granite language models, for the Qualcomm AI Hub. This allows developers and businesses to fully utilize AI capabilities at the edge. Furthermore, the collaboration will expand to include governance and responsibility guardrails for on-device models using watsonx.governance.
For additional information, visit the Qualcomm Developer Blog.
Qualcomm Cloud AI Accelerators and Red Hat OpenShift
The Qualcomm® Cloud AI family of accelerators has been certified and is now available for Red Hat OpenShift, which is a leading hybrid cloud application platform powered by Kubernetes. This certification makes the deployment of IBM software applications, including watsonx, simpler when using hardware based on Qualcomm Cloud AI. The certification facilitates the deployment at scale of IBM’s suite of software applications, including watsonx, using hardware solutions based on Qualcomm Cloud AI.
To learn more about the latest AI innovations and demonstrations from Qualcomm Technologies and IBM, visit Qualcomm Technologies’ booth at MWC Barcelona (Booth #3E10, Hall 3, Fira Gran Via).
About IBM
IBM is a principal provider of global hybrid cloud and AI services, plus consulting expertise. They work with clients in over 175 countries to apply insights from data, streamline business processes, lower costs, and maintain a competitive advantage. IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift are used by over 4,000 corporate and government entities in vital areas like telecommunications, financial services, and healthcare.
About Qualcomm
Qualcomm is dedicated to constant innovation to bring intelligent computing everywhere. They are building on 40 years of tech leadership to deliver a wide array of solutions built on advanced AI, low-power computing, and exceptional connectivity. Qualcomm aims to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies through next-generation digital transformation.
