Now online, the IBM quantum system will expand
the longstanding RPI and IBM partnership to accelerate quantum
computing research, workforce development, and education in
New York
TROY, N.Y., April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and IBM
(NYSE: IBM) officially unveiled the world's first-ever
IBM quantum computer on a university campus. Building on RPI's
bicentennial celebration of 200 years of firsts, IBM Quantum System
One will significantly enhance educational and research
opportunities for the university, as well as with other academic
institutions and organizations across the New York region that wish to partner with RPI.
Faculty, researchers, students, and collaborators accessing the
system will aim to advance quantum computing research, including
the search for quantum algorithms that could lead to quantum
advantage, while also actively building the next generation of the
quantum workforce alongside IBM.
The system at RPI was unveiled today at a ribbon-cutting
ceremony featuring remarks from RPI President Marty A. Schmidt '81, Ph.D.; IBM Chairman and
CEO Arvind Krishna; Congressman
Paul Tonko (NY 20); President of the
University at Albany Havidán Rodríguez; Vice Chair of RPI Board of
Trustees Curtis R. Priem '82; Board
of Trustees Chair John E. Kelly, III
'78G, '80Ph.D., D.H.L. (Hon.); and RPI Quantum Computing Club
Co-President Michael
Papadopoulos.
Located in the university's historic Voorhees Computing Center
Chapel, the IBM Quantum System One, along with endowed faculty
positions, is the focal point of the Curtis R. Priem Constellation.
The constellation, made possible with the philanthropic support of
Curtis R. Priem '82, vice chair of
RPI's Board of Trustees, will enable collaborative quantum
computing research at RPI.
"Standing at the forefront of quantum computing as the first
university to host an IBM Quantum System One is a fitting
celebration of RPI's pioneering legacy in our bicentennial year,"
said RPI President Marty A. Schmidt.
"With trustee Curtis Priem's support
and our enduring partnership with IBM, we'll utilize advanced
computing for global problem-solving and train future quantum
professionals, aiming to establish the Capital Region as a hub for
quantum innovation – our own 'Quantum Valley'. Our students are
eager to explore quantum computing's applications in addressing our
toughest challenges and I'm excited to witness the creativity of
both our students and faculty researchers as they unlock quantum's
potential to shape a better future."
"IBM is proud to build on our partnership with RPI. Together, we
can unlock new frontiers in quantum research, science, and
engineering," said Arvind Krishna,
Chairman and CEO, IBM. "This collaboration will help explore some
of the world's most complex problems and train the next generation
of quantum experts."
The new IBM Quantum System One at RPI is powered by a 127-qubit
IBM Quantum 'Eagle' processor, to offer RPI's network of
researchers, students and partners dedicated access to a
utility-scale quantum computer. In 2023, IBM demonstrated the
ability of IBM Eagle to produce accurate calculations beyond
classical, brute-force simulation methods. Known as quantum
utility, this signaled the start of an era in which quantum systems
can serve as scientific tools to explore problems in chemistry,
physics, materials, and other fields in the search for quantum
advantage: the point at which a quantum computer can solve a
problem better than any known classical method.
The system now online at RPI is joining IBM's global fleet of
utility-scale quantum computers available via the cloud and at
dedicated client sites, including systems in the United States, Canada, Germany and Japan, and installations in progress in
South Korea and Spain. As quantum computing hardware and
software continues to advance, RPI's world-class academic body of
students, researchers, and faculty will progress the global race to
discover increasingly complex quantum.
"For the first time in history, an entirely new branch of
computing is being developed with quantum technology. This is not
something we can do alone," said Dario
Gil, IBM Senior Vice President and Director of Research, and
RPI board member. "It is fundamental that IBM works with our global
ecosystem of partners, including world-renowned universities and
research institutions such as RPI, to discover and map new
algorithms to the most difficult challenges that quantum computers
can solve. We will do this by fostering a quantum workforce of the
future and ensuring that the next generation is equipped with the
skills to use these systems to their fullest potential."
RPI and IBM have a long-standing and storied history of
collaboration to advance technology. This includes RPI's current
housing of the Artificial Intelligence Multiprocessing Optimized
System (AiMOS). AiMOS is presently the most powerful classical
supercomputer at a private university in the United States and is equipped with POWER9
CPU and NVIDIA GPU technology to enable users to explore new AI
applications.
"As an RPI graduate and a trustee deeply invested in RPI's
mission and future, partnering with IBM to introduce quantum
computing on our campus was a natural step forward," said
Curtis R. Priem, RPI Class of 1982
and vice chair of the RPI Board of Trustees. "RPI's commitment to
providing students with access to cutting-edge tools and ubiquitous
computing is paramount, and integrating an IBM Quantum System One
helps ensure we're doing are part to develop tomorrow's quantum
workforce."
"Unveiling the IBM Quantum System One during RPI's bicentennial
year is a fitting statement about our commitment to technological
leadership and innovation during the university's third
century," said John Kelly, RPI
Class of 1978. "The RPI community looks forward to seeing how
our faculty, students, partners will work together to explore
quantum computing's applications in health, pharmaceuticals,
sustainability, artificial intelligence, national security, and
more."
As the first university in the world to house an IBM Quantum
System One on its campus, RPI has a unique opportunity to develop
new quantum curriculum and educational programs aimed at upskilling
the quantum workforce. As IBM and RPI build initiatives to prepare
the future talent base of technology workers, the organizations
expect their joint learnings to influence global workforce
development and skills-building programs.
"As a proud representative of New
York's Capital Region, I am thrilled to see RPI and IBM
unveil the world's first-ever IBM Quantum System One on a
university campus right here in Troy," said Congressman Paul Tonko (NY 20). "This groundbreaking
collaboration will not only provide opportunities to accelerate
quantum computing research and train the next generation of the
computing workforce, it will also reinforce our region's status as
a global hub for the advancement of cutting-edge technologies.
Through initiatives like the CHIPS and Science Act and partnerships
like this one, we are paving the way for a future of innovation and
high-tech manufacturing here in our Capital Region – ensuring our
communities remain at the forefront of technological
advancement."
Since planning for the installation of IBM Quantum System One
began in June of 2023, RPI has hosted IBM researchers on its campus
for introductory lectures and presentations to help students build
a foundational understanding of the opportunities in quantum
computing. Now, dedicated access to leading quantum hardware and
software, powerful supercomputing resources, and educational and
technical support from IBM will help educate and shape the
technology workforce as students develop skills across quantum and
classical computing paradigms – critical to accelerating
New York's continued growth as a
leader in next-generation computing.
About Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute
Founded in 1824 for the application of science to the common
purposes of life, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is the
first technological research university in the United States. Today, it is
recognized as a premier university, noted for its robust and
holistic learning community that connects creativity with science
and technology. RPI is dedicated to inventing for the future, from
shaping the scientists, engineers, technologists, architects, and
entrepreneurs who will define what's next for humanity, to research
that bridges disciplines to solve the world's toughest
problems. Learn more at rpi.edu.
About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and
consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries
capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business
processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their
industries. More than 4,000 government and corporate entities in
critical infrastructure areas such as financial services,
telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud
platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital
transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's
breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing,
industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and
flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's
legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility,
inclusivity and service. Visit ibm.com for more
information.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Contact:
Samantha Murray
murras7@rpi.edu
518-960-4051
IBM Contact:
Willa Hahn
willa.hahn@ibm.com
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