IBM's "FutureNow" is the Rebranding of the Client Innovation Center (CIC), for Lobbying Purposes by IBM While Halving People's Salaries

posted by Roy Schestowitz on May 04, 2026

So says a new comment

Some days ago we showed how IBM had paid a billionaire's media apparatus to spread a bunch of lies or false promises about "job creation" at a time IBM was laying off thousands. Minutes ago somebody explained that "[in the said article] "FutureNow" is the rebranding of the CIC. These tend to be "new collar" jobs - typically people without 4 year degrees, just a high school diploma plus a bootcamp or at most an associates degree. Not the kind of background you associate with "quantum computing". IBM also has a history of promising states/towns that they will hire X number of people in exchange for tax credits and then failing to deliver on the promised number of hires."

IBM Client Innovation Center (CIC) is said to be about "near-shoring", as one person put it:

CIC is IBM's "near-shore" offering. If a client wants a remote worker but locally in the US, then the CIC is supposed to fill the bill. They are considered to be lower-cost as the employees are paid less (comparatively) and are usually from less well-known schools (the first one in Michigan is in Lansing on the MSU campus, which is well known). However, recruitment is not confined to CS majors; they will accept others with basic programming skills. Employees are supposed to work from the office and only during regular business hours.

Good concept, especially if you are trying to break into the IT world but CIC's have been marginalized by the ham-handed way that IBM went about it. Everything began great but then cost reduction was the driving factor. Training is minimal, so you need to be a self-starter. You will not have just your project team looking over you; you will have the CIC staff bothering you. Salaries and benefits were lower (things may have changed) than the main business lines.

My experiences were mixed. Some were good or very eager to learn and were star performers. Others needed more handholding, which we were often not in a position to give. So if you are new to IT, do not have a job, and need experience, then CIC is a very good starting point. Remember you have to be prepared to go above and beyond. The ones who showed potential and eagerness to learn often were absorbed in the main business lines or left for great jobs. The other advantage of CIC is projects are usually easier to come by as billing rates are lower and the CIC is more committed to getting you a project. In the main business lines, projects appear to be slowing down and your programming experience may be limited. So I would say if you get a job in the CIC and it is the only offer, take it, learn as much as you can and you will be able to switch in a few years to a much better job. You will get a good experience.

Further down it says: "The pay is significantly less than non-cic (and they are in lower COL areas). Likely around $50,000. The barrier to entry is much lower. There is a big focus on training. I think it is what you make it. It can be a great career kickoff opportunity or just a resume builder. It’s not super easy to get out of the CIC into other roles, but not impossible."

$50,000 a year is something one can get in Walmart. $50,000 yearly salary is roughly $24/hour.

Race to the bottom, IBM. █