IBM launches AI incubator with Marist University

IBM has expanded its partnership with Marist University by launching an Innovation Incubator. The program focuses on artificial intelligence research, enterprise computing, and student career readiness.

The incubator will use the IBM z17 mainframe to back research projects in business, finance, and civic engagement. Planned work includes testing autonomous AI agents in marketing campaigns, applying quantum optimization algorithms to real-time financial data, and exploring AI models for polling and voter participation.

IBM contends with rivals Microsoft, which is developing Copilot and autonomous agents, and Alphabet, which is expanding its Gemini models across search, healthcare, and research.

IBM shares have declined 13% over the past year, compared with a 212.1% gain across its industry. The stock trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 3.02, below the industry average of 5.29. Over the past 60 days, earnings estimates for 2026 fell 0.1% to $12.33, while projections for 2027 dropped 0.2% to $13.22.