IBM Canada has officially opened its new headquarters in Markham and is hiring a number of positions to fit in with its latest major innovation to generative AI, as well as other areas.
Located at 8200 Warden Ave. within IBM’s state-of-the-art Software Lab, the new facility is designed to foster collaboration and innovation at the highest level.
According to IBM, the decision to consolidate operations on one site aligns with the company’s strategy to optimize operations and better serve clients.
For the last few years, generative AI — or Gen AI — has dominated tech conversations. Now, a new term, "agentic AI," is emerging as the next major innovation.
According to Steve Astorino, IBM's general manager of product development, data, AI and sustainability and the Canadian lab director, agentic AI is poised to redefine industries very quickly. He described agentic AI as the evolution of Gen AI, capable of autonomously handling complex, multistep tasks.
“IBM has been developing generative AI for a long time, at least five or six years, but we’ve prioritized safety and trust before rushing it to market,” said Astorino. “Our AI ethics board ensures that every solution we deliver is grounded in clean, reliable data and strong governance.”
Unlike traditional AI, agentic AI systems can autonomously design workflows, make decisions and interact with external environments. These systems combine the adaptability of large language models (LLMs) with the precision of traditional programming, offering transformative opportunities for efficiency and productivity.
Astorino pointed to IBM’s AI-powered HR tools as a current example of this transformation. These systems already handle repetitive tasks like processing time-off requests and onboarding employees.
“By automating these processes, HR professionals can focus on culture building, talent development and strategic initiatives,” he said.
IBM’s AskHR solution has automated over 80 HR functions, saving time while offering personalized support for employees and managers.
Agentic AI’s potential extends well beyond HR, such as in health care, Astorino explains — AI agents could manage treatment schedules and routine administrative tasks, enabling medical professionals to focus on patient care.
Across industries like retail and logistics, agentic AI is driving operational efficiency, enhancing decision-making and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
As IBM continues to expand its operations in Markham, the company is actively hiring for roles in AI, data, automation, infrastructure, technology, UX design, consulting and software engineering.
For those interested in joining IBM’s team, opportunities are available on the IBM Careers page at ibm.com/careers.
Scarlett Liu is a federally funded Local Journalism Initiative Reporter at Markham Economist & Sun
