WSJ Tech News Briefing WSJ Tech News Briefing

At 115 Years Old, Can IBM Survive the AI Era? CEO Arvind Krishna Makes the Case

Jul 28, 2026 · 11m

Summary

WSJ’s Tech News Briefing examines why tech firms like OpenAI and Palantir are launching high-priced fashion lines to build brand loyalty despite public backlash. The episode features Jamie Waters discussing how these merch drops target dedicated enthusiasts. Later, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna defends the company’s strategy, arguing that its mainframe business and quantum computing investments position it well for a diversified AI future.

Topics discussed

IBM AI advertisement Introduction: Tech companies launching fashion lines Why tech firms are creating stylized merchandise OpenAI's streetwear collection and public reaction Who is buying tech merch: The 'tech groupie' phenomenon Listener engagement and IBM ad break IBM stock pressure and CEO Arvind Krishna's outlook Krishna on AI's heterogeneous future and IBM's role IBM's mainframe business and revenue multiplier effect Quantum computing acquisition and trillion-dollar potential IBM AI advertisement repeat
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