IBM and Microsoft Integrate AI Platform into Office Apps for Enhanced Productivity
IBM and Microsoft have forged a collaboration to embed IBM's AI platform, IBM Consulting Advantage, directly into Microsoft 365 applications. This integration allows consultants to leverage AI tools within familiar environments like Word, Excel, and Teams, eliminating the need for switching between platforms. Early adoption has reportedly saved 250,000 hours annually, translating to $35 million in added value.
The platform features specialized AI agents capable of accelerating tasks such as research and presentation design. One case study highlighted a reduction from three hours to 13 minutes for completing four research assignments. Future enhancements include a custom agent to optimize AI resource selection.