IBM has announced a landmark $150 billion investment in U.S. operations over the next five years, with quantum computing emerging as a crucial component of its technological strategy.
The company has earmarked $30 billion for research and development focused on American manufacturing of quantum computers and mainframe systems.
IBM already operates the world’s largest fleet of quantum computer systems. The investment cemented the company’s commitment to designing, building and assembling quantum computers on American soil.
The IBM Quantum Network provides access to IBM’s quantum systems for nearly 300 Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, national laboratories and startups and is accessed by more than 600,000 active users.
The investment also boosts IBM’s mainframe manufacturing business based in Poughkeepsie, New York. According to the company, more than 70% of the world’s transactions by value run through IBM mainframes.
“Technology doesn’t just build the future — it defines it,” said Arvind Krishna, IBM chairman, president and chief executive officer in the announcement.
“We have been focused on American jobs and manufacturing since our founding 114 years ago and with this investment and manufacturing commitment, we are ensuring that IBM remains the epicenter of the world’s most advanced computing and AI capabilities.”
IBM reported in February that it is nearing a cumulative $1 billion in revenue from its quantum computing initiatives since launching its quantum business in 2017.
The company announced plans to partner with the state of Illinois and Illinois-based academic institutions to establish the National Quantum Algorithm Center in Chicago in December 2024.
This came shortly after it unveiled new quantum hardware and software capabilities that expand quantum algorithms’ scale, speed and accuracy, including the latest R2 version of IBM Quantum Heron.