IBM and OpenAI form strategic partnership, GPT-5.6 embedded into IBM Consulting Advantage
On Aug 13 IBM and OpenAI formed a strategic partnership integrating GPT-5.6, Codex and ChatGPT Work into IBM Consulting Advantage, with a dedicated OpenAI practice of thousands of consultants.
On August 13, IBM announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI to embed frontier models like GPT-5.6 along with Codex and ChatGPT Work into IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM's AI delivery platform for consulting services. The partnership aims to help enterprises deploy AI at scale across core business operations and complex workflows while strengthening cyber defense and resilience through programs like OpenAI Daybreak.
Both companies will launch joint go-to-market initiatives and create industry-specific solutions for financial services, government, telecommunications, and retail, as well as key enterprise domains such as finance, procurement, customer operations, and HR. IBM will bring forward-deployed units of highly specialized engineers and consultants trained through the OpenAI Partner Network to work directly with clients on AI implementation across complex business workflows and highly regulated environments. IBM will also launch a dedicated OpenAI Practice with thousands of consultants and engineers obtaining expert-level certifications under the OpenAI Partner Network.
The partnership focuses on three areas: transforming legacy operations into AI-ready workflows, application modernization and product development, and cybersecurity and AI risk management. IBM Consulting Global SVP Andy Baldwin said the challenge is not access to AI technology but securely integrating AI at scale into complex enterprise environments and workflows. OpenAI CRO Denise Dresser said the organizations pulling ahead with AI are those turning it into a trusted part of how their business operates.
As part of the collaboration, IBM will join OpenAI's Elite partner tier, reflecting the shared focus on secure, enterprise-ready AI at scale. Financial terms were not disclosed; the deal comes less than a year after IBM announced a similar alliance with Anthropic. OpenAI has previously announced partnerships with IT services firms including Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services, underscoring a strategy of working with global systems integrators to reach enterprise customers.