IBM, a global leader in enterprise technology, has entered a strategic partnership with AI research lab Anthropic to advance enterprise software development through the integration of Anthropic’s Claude large language models (LLMs) into IBM’s software suite. This collaboration aims to bring trusted, AI-powered productivity gains to IBM’s enterprise clients by embedding Claude into select development tools and products, with security, governance, and cost controls deeply woven into the software lifecycle.
Businesses moving from AI experimentation to production face critical challenges. They need AI solutions that work smoothly with their current systems and meet strict IT and compliance rules. IBM brings decades of enterprise software delivery expertise and leadership in hybrid cloud architecture to ensure AI enhances enterprise ecosystems without compromising governance or security.
“IBM has been the backbone of enterprise technology for decades because we understand what it takes to deploy at scale in mission-critical environments,” said Dinesh Nirmal, IBM’s Senior Vice President of Software. “This partnership enhances our software portfolio with advanced AI capabilities while maintaining the governance, security, and reliability our clients expect. We’re offering AI tools designed for enterprises, not experimental technologies that introduce new risks.”
Anthropic, known for its focus on safety and reliability, aligns closely with this. Mike Krieger, Chief Product Officer at Anthropic, stated, “Enterprises need AI they can trust with their code, data, and operations. Claude has become the go-to AI for developers at the world’s largest companies thanks to our dedication to safety and reliability. Partnering with IBM extends this commitment, making AI agents genuinely useful for business environments.”
Transforming Software Development with AI
At the heart of this partnership is IBM’s new AI-first Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which includes Anthropic’s Claude AI models. Currently available in a private preview for select IBM clients, this smart development tool is built specifically for modern enterprise software projects.
Already, more than 6,000 early users inside IBM have seen their productivity jump by an average of 45%. This means they’re getting more done in less time without sacrificing the quality or security of the code. By automating the tedious and repetitive parts of software development, the IDE lets engineers focus on bigger, more creative challenges, speeding up everything from modernizing applications to testing and deploying software.
Claude powers several key features within IBM’s IDE, helping developers tackle major challenges in software development. It automates application modernization by handling large-scale upgrades, framework migrations, and refactoring with deep awareness of the codebase.
It offers intelligent code generation and review, guided by enterprise architecture, security needs, and compliance rules. The IDE also orchestrates the full development workflow seamlessly while maintaining context across sessions. Importantly, it embeds security directly into these workflows, enabling early vulnerability scans, speeding up FedRAMP compliance, and supporting quantum-safe cryptography transitions.
These capabilities reflect IBM’s commitment to “secure by design” AI tools built for mission-critical enterprise environments, addressing the top concern many organizations face: maintaining strong security and compliance while embracing AI.
Framework and Governance
The partnership breaks new ground with the creation of a first-of-its-kind enterprise guide: “Architecting Secure Enterprise AI Agents with MCP”. Co-developed and verified by IBM and Anthropic, this guide establishes a structured Agent Development Lifecycle (ADLC) methodology designed specifically for enterprise-grade AI agents.
As autonomous AI agents become central to business operations, the traditional IT approaches to development and security will no longer suffice. The new ADLC framework equips organizations with tailored processes, governance controls, and operational models to build, deploy, and manage AI agents safely and effectively.
IBM’s commitment to openness and industry collaboration extends through its contributions to the Model Context Protocol (MCP) community, providing best practices guides, reference architecture, and open-source tooling. These resources empower enterprises to adopt AI agents standard-compliantly and confidently across various sectors.
The IBM-Anthropic partnership reflects a broader market trend favoring enterprise-focused AI providers that prioritize safety, reliability, and integration with complex business requirements. Anthropic itself has been aggressively expanding its footprint in the enterprise sector. Following the launch of Claude Enterprise in 2024, the company recently secured a landmark partnership with Deloitte to roll out Claude’s AI capabilities to nearly 500,000 global employees.
By aligning with IBM, a technology stalwart renowned for navigating enterprise barriers, Anthropic accelerates its mission to make advanced AI models enterprise-ready. Kareem Yusuf, IBM’s Senior Vice President of Ecosystem and Strategic Partners, explained, “This partnership builds on shared values: AI for business, not just hype. IBM understands the complexity of enterprise IT stacks and brings deep consulting expertise to support AI adoption at scale.”
Looking ahead, IBM plans to integrate Claude into an expanding range of software products, further embedding proven autonomous AI capabilities into enterprise workflows. This vision positions both companies as frontrunners shaping the future of software development powered by trustworthy AI.
