Pearson and IBM join forces to build new AI-powered learning tools

(Alliance News) - IBM and Pearson PLC on Thursday announced a global partnership to build new personalised learning products powered by AI for businesses, public organisations, and educational institutions.

London-based educational materials publisher Pearson highlighted recent research that found inefficient career transitions and skills mismatches will cost the US economy USD1.1 trillion in lost earnings annually.

"Employers, educators, and learners need faster, more relevant ways to learn new skills as AI reshapes how people work and learn," IBM and Pearson said in a statement.

Armonk, New York-based technology firm IBM and Pearson aim to address these needs with AI-powered learning tools which will be available globally.

IBM will also help Pearson build a custom AI-powered learning platform - similar to IBM Consulting Advantage - that combines human expertise with AI assistants, agents, and assets.

"The platform will drive growth with new products and services, while transforming Pearson’s operations to enhance workflows, productivity, and data-driven decision-making," the two firms said.

IBM customers and its 270,000 employees will benefit from Pearson’s enterprise learning solutions.

In addition, IBM and Pearson will explore the development of tools that will help verify the capabilities of AI agents, ensuring organisations can deploy them with confidence.

"Technology is evolving faster than human skills can keep pace. To close this gap, learning must be embedded seamlessly into the flow of work. When people learn where work happens, it has an immediate impact on productivity and performance," said Omar Abbosh, chief executive of Pearson.

IBM CEO Arvind Krishna said: "IBM and Pearson are bringing AI-powered education to more organizations to help people learn faster. Together, we’re helping companies and their teams adapt to change and succeed, while helping Pearson transform its own internal operations."

Shares in Pearson rose 1.7% to 1,042.00 pence each in London late Thursday morning, while IBM was down 0.2% at USD312.00 in premarket trading in New York.

By Jeremy Cutler, Alliance News reporter

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