**The big picture:** IBM and Pearson are collaborating globally to develop new AI-powered personalized learning tools for businesses, public organizations, and educational institutions. **Why it matters:** This partnership aims to address the significant economic cost of skills mismatches and inefficient career transitions, estimated at $1.1 trillion annually in the US alone. **Between the lines:** - The AI tools will be built using IBM's watsonx Orchestrate and watsonx Governance platforms. - IBM will help Pearson create a custom AI-powered learning platform, similar to IBM Consulting Advantage. - IBM customers and employees will benefit from Pearson's enterprise learning solutions, including Credly and Faethm. **Staffing & HR impact:** This initiative directly targets the skills gap, offering HR leaders and staffing firms advanced tools for workforce upskilling and strategic planning, potentially improving talent mobility and reducing recruitment costs. **The bottom line:** The collaboration signals a major step towards integrating AI into lifelong learning to future-proof workforces against rapid technological change.