IBM Think conference
| Company type | Conference |
|---|---|
| Industry | Technology, Business |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Headquarters | Various (including Las Vegas, San Francisco, Boston, Orlando) , United States |
Area served | Global |
| Products | Business conference focusing on AI, cloud computing, quantum computing, blockchain, and data science |
IBM Think is a yearly business conference hosted by IBM. Prior to 2018, IBM organized comparable events under various titles. Think replaced the 2017 World of Watson conference.[1] The event's title is derived from IBM's well-known 'Think' motto.
2017 – World of Watson
From October 29 to November 2, IBM conducted the World of Watson conference in Las Vegas, centering on its AI offerings and Watson, an AI-powered question-answering system.[2] The sessions highlighted Watson’s utilization in healthcare and business sectors, although some later critiques suggested these claims were overstated.[3]
2018
IBM rebranded the World of Watson event as IBM Think, establishing it as its premier business conference encompassing all significant IBM technologies including Watson.[1] Held in Las Vegas from March 19 to 22, the agenda emphasized blockchain, AI, data science, quantum computing, and cloud technologies.[4] During the conference, IBM launched Watson Assistant, an AI-powered assistant tool,[5][6] and announced AI upgrades for products such as IBM Cloud. However, some observers considered these enhancements to offer limited practical benefits despite extended development periods.[7] IBM also revealed a collaboration with Apple to embed Watson AI within Apple applications.[8] Furthermore, IBM introduced a chip measuring just 1x1mm, dubbed the "world's smallest computer", which supports blockchain technology and performs similarly to microprocessors from the 1990s.[9] The company also launched IBM Q, a suite of quantum computing systems accessible via the cloud.[10] The event marked the inauguration of Think Campuses, a dedicated trade show area.[11][12]
2019
Taking place at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from February 12 to 15, the conference maintained a focus on cloud computing, AI, data analytics, and infrastructure akin to the previous year. IBM debuted Watson Anywhere, a solution allowing Watson AI capabilities to function beyond IBM’s proprietary cloud environment. At this event, Harish Natarajan, a finalist at the 2016 World Debating Championships, successfully challenged IBM’s Project Debater, showcasing current AI limitations. Several major IBM clients shared insights on how IBM’s AI/ML tools and Power Systems have contributed to their business success. Additionally, the event featured a four-day Think Academy offering certification courses and practical lab sessions.
2020
Originally scheduled for May 4–7 in San Francisco, the conference transitioned to a virtual format due to the COVID-19 pandemic, complemented by localized events and interactive activities. IBM also implemented a policy prohibiting employees from attending in-person conferences exceeding 1,000 participants. The program concentrated on AI, data management, cloud services, 5G, and open technologies developed by IBM and its affiliates.
During this period, IBM outlined strategic directions for Red Hat, acquired for $34 billion the previous year, focusing on hybrid cloud solutions and integration with 5G. The company introduced Watson AIOps, an AI-driven IT operations platform built upon Red Hat’s OpenShift technology. Additionally, IBM Research unveiled a forward-looking quantum computing roadmap highlighting its anticipated influence on enterprise IT infrastructure.
2021
On May 11 and 12, two virtual conferences were conducted for the Americas and APAC, Japan, and EMEA regions respectively. The primary themes continued to be hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence. IBM introduced several initiatives such as the commercial release of IBM WebSphere Hybrid Edition, the productized form of IBM Mono2Micro, and Watson Orchestrate, an AI assistant platform that was later rebranded as Watsonx Orchestrate and incorporated into Watsonx in 2023. IBM also announced a 120-fold enhancement in quantum processing speed for Qiskit, its open-source quantum computing SDK, alongside launching Qiskit runtime to facilitate classical computing processes within the SDK. Moreover, IBM pledged $1 billion towards its partnership programs.
2022
The conference took place both online and onsite in Boston from May 10 to 11, supplemented by events around the globe. This edition spotlighted quantum computing in addition to AI and cloud technologies. IBM revealed plans to build a modular quantum processor exceeding 4,000 qubits. The event also featured updates to Qiskit and highlighted expansion in AI capabilities. Strategic partnerships were strengthened, including agreements to supply SaaS and Red Hat software to competitor cloud provider AWS, reinforcing IBM's cloud alliance approach.
2023
Held from May 9 to 11 in Orlando, FL, the conference extended its reach through one-day regional gatherings named Think on Tour. The main event debuted Think Forum, designed as an interactive platform for participants to connect with technology business executives, transitioning Think’s format from a traditional expo to a forum setting. Core subjects included hybrid cloud, AI and automation, and quantum computing. New product launches featured Watsonx, a generative AI solution, alongside the IBM Quantum System Two, representing the next generation of quantum computing hardware.
2024
The event occurred May 20–23 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The opening day was dedicated to IBM Partner Plus Day, emphasizing IBM’s partner ecosystem with keynote speeches, networking opportunities, and region-specific panel discussions. Subsequent days showcased sessions and live demonstrations focused on scaling enterprises through AI and hybrid cloud technologies, AI-powered automation, and designing architectures for extensive AI deployment. Attendees were also invited to enjoy a Blue Block Party hosted at Harpoon Brewery.
2025
Scheduled for May 5–8 at Boston’s Hynes Convention Center, this year’s conference centers on AI Productivity, Trusted Data for AI, Scalable AI Architectures, and optimizing costs. Case studies will highlight implementations by organizations such as Ferrari, UFC, the US Open, and the The Masters. Concurrently with the Boston gathering, the "Think on Tour" series will visit twelve cities worldwide.