IBM Opens Global Request for Proposals to Back AI in Education

IBM has opened a global request for proposals for the next cohort of its IBM Impact Accelerator, focusing on the use of AI in education and workforce development.

“The program seeks proposals that leverage AI to develop solutions to transform education and workforce development at scale,” says IBM.

The initiative invites nonprofits, government organizations and academic institutions to work with IBM on projects designed to improve how people learn, transition between careers and access employment opportunities. The program targets the growing gap between workforce skills and employer needs as AI reshapes industries and job roles.

According to research from the IBM Institute for Business Value, 67% of executives surveyed say job roles are becoming shorter-lived. By 2030, 57% expect that most employee skills will be obsolete. At the same time, Pearson estimates that unclear or slow transitions between education and work cost the US economy about US$1.1 trillion annually.

This aligns with LinkedIn's research, which argues that AI proficiency has become the most sought-after skill, given that professionals are increasingly integrating AI tools into their daily work, reports MBN. According to LinkedIn data on workforce attitudes in the United States, employees are now more than twice as likely to use AI products weekly or daily compared to 18 months ago. Meanwhile, in Mexico, demand for AI skills in the country’s job market surged 148% between 2023 and 2025, reports MBN. 

“From AI integrators and data center technicians to other jobs that did not exist five years ago, these roles are now powering digital economies. Last year alone, there were over 600,000 new, AI-enabled data center jobs created globally on LinkedIn,” says LinkedIn.

IBM says many education and workforce institutions lack the data systems, tools, and capacity to adapt at the pace required. Employers continue to report skills mismatches, while learners face challenges identifying which competencies are most relevant. Public agencies often operate with limited resources that constrain modernization efforts.

This challenge is emerging even as AI adoption accelerates across organizations. The share of companies running processes primarily driven by AI almost doubled over the past year, and workplace use of AI has also risen sharply since 2023. Despite that expansion, a recent MIT Media Lab report also found that 95% of organizations have yet to achieve a measurable return on their AI investments.

The IBM Impact Accelerator cohort will support projects applying AI to challenges in teaching, learning, and workforce preparation. Potential areas include AI-enabled teaching and assessment tools, personalized learning and career guidance assistants, and data platforms that link learners with employment opportunities. The program may also support simulation and governance environments to help educators and policymakers test responsible AI practices and forecast education needs.

Selected organizations will receive a two-year, pro bono technology and implementation grant. Support includes access to IBM watsonx, Granite AI models, IBM Cloud, IBM Quantum, Red Hat open-source technologies, and expertise from IBM researchers, designers, and consultants. EY will participate as a strategic ally.

Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government entities, and government-owned enterprises, as well as nonprofit public and private colleges and universities. Participants must be able to work with IBM for two years and conduct project work in English.

The request for proposals is open through March 25, 2026, via IBM’s proposal submission portal. Eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and frequently asked questions are available on the program’s webpage. Inquiries can be directed to IBM’s Impact Accelerator team by email.

Launched in 2022, the IBM Impact Accelerator provides grants of IBM technology and expertise to help scale nonprofit and government initiatives. In 2024, IBM committed up to US$45 million in cash and in-kind technology and services over five years to support populations facing environmental and economic pressures. To date, the program has supported 25 organizations, with projects reaching about 2.5 million people in areas such as sustainable agriculture, clean energy, water management, and resilient cities.

IBM operates in more than 175 countries, providing hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting services. Governments and companies in sectors including financial services, telecommunications and healthcare use IBM technologies to support digital transformation.

IBM in Mexico

IBM has been operating uninterruptedly in Mexico for 98 years, consolidating its presence in the country's technological infrastructure, explains Bruno Pancica, Business Growth Lead, IBM, to MBN. 

“Although we have evolved from a B2C to B2B model, we continue to be a fundamental pillar of the digital ecosystem, as most banking transactions, online purchases, and business processes depend on our solutions,” says Pancica. “Even if we cannot see it, it is as though the world is “powered by IBM”. Our strategy focuses on the fields of hybrid cloud and AI, ensuring, hand in hand with our Ecosystema partners, that enterprises have robust and market-ready technology.” 

The company drives the digital transformation of Mexican businesses by providing technology solutions designed to optimize processes and increase efficiency. Its strategy focuses on helping clients achieve their objectives through innovative tools, including AI, which streamline key functions such as procurement and production operations. In addition, the company strengthens its presence in Mexico through its network of business partners, ensuring that organizations across the country have access to its capabilities and expertise. 

One of the main barriers to the adoption of advanced technologies in Mexico is technical debt. According to IBM, 55% of executives identify this factor as a key obstacle. Technical debt arises when organizations implement new technologies without having infrastructure prepared for their evolution, leading to inefficient processes and high rework costs. This issue is particularly relevant in the adoption of AI, as many organizations invest in isolated solutions without a flexible technology foundation that supports scalability and continuous upgrades. In addition, 25% of executives acknowledge that their infrastructure is not ready to support the pace of new technology adoption.

The company supports organizations in addressing this challenge by modernizing their technology infrastructure, enabling the adoption of new solutions without compromising operational stability. Its approach centers on building a flexible and scalable technology foundation that facilitates the integration of emerging technologies with minimal disruption to existing processes. This allows organizations to incorporate AI, automation, and cloud solutions without generating additional technical debt, supporting a more sustainable and efficient technology evolution.

“In Mexico, we aim to expand our presence beyond the largest regions, reaching more companies and industrial sector hubs that can benefit from our technology to improve their competitiveness,” says Pancinca.