S&P Global is embedding IBM’s WatsonX Orchestrate agentic framework into its supply chain management offerings.

This collaboration aims to equip businesses with AI-powered tools to help tackle some of the biggest problems in global supply chains.

The offering is designed to provide S&P clients with products that enhance insight and visibility into supply chain and vendor selection tools, leveraging AI agents and combining data and content across procurement, trade, country and supplier risk domains.

S&P will also build agents for IBM’s WatsonX Orchestrate agent catalogue using its proprietary data, research and analytics aimed to expedite decision-making across supply chain management. Beyond supply chains, S&P plans to integrate IBM AI technology with additional risk intelligence services in its market intelligence division.

“Partnering with IBM will elevate the AI-driven capabilities we offer to our customers in the supply chain space,” said Saugata Saha, chief enterprise data officer of New York-based S&P Global (www.spglobal.com). “By integrating IBM’s innovative AI capabilities with S&P Global’s distinctive data and analytics offerings, we are creating an exciting combination that is set to advance actionable insights and streamline workflows. Our goal with this collaboration is to empower organisations in improving procurement strategies, managing risks and making informed decisions, ultimately driving greater efficiency in a changing market.”

Rob Thomas, senior vice president at IBM, added: “Supply chains have become increasingly global and complex, and AI agents can help businesses restore control. Combining IBM’s WatsonX Orchestrate AI capabilities with S&P Global’s supply chain data allows agents to connect data to action, streamlining processes and quickly adapting to help optimise performance. Our collaboration with S&P Global will expand to leveraging agentic AI to improve other core business functions such as finance, procurement and insurance.”

S&P’s supply chain offering is part of its market intelligence division’s risk and valuation services portfolio. The suite of products powers global markets by bringing together differentiated data, valuations, analytics and market expertise to help pinpoint risk exposures, price assets and create transparency.

Powered by S&P’s enterprise data organisation, the company is committed to providing AI-ready data designed for machine learning and AI applications to enable faster model development and deployment. This collaboration is also another step in S&P’s vision for agentic AI. Via Kensho, its AI innovation hub, S&P is developing AI agents to transform the enterprise and the value it brings to users.

WatsonX Orchestrate (www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-orchestrate) is a single offering to orchestrate AI agents, assistants and workflows across businesses. In May, IBM (www.ibm.com) introduced its agent catalogue, a central hub within WatsonX Orchestrate that simplifies discovery of innovative agents from IBM and its partner ecosystem. It features more than 500 pre-built agents and tools.