RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND IBM UNVEIL THE WORLD'S FIRST IBM QUANTUM SYSTEM ONE ON A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS

TROY, N.Y. —  Today, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and 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.

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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

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TROY, NY - APRIL 5, 2024

1. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin A. Schmidt - President of RPI [00:00:08]  We like to think of it, that this is a computer that in, in a in a few years, 4 or 5 years is really going to be able to solve problems that you can't solve with a classic computer.
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin A. Schmidt - President of RPI [00:00:19] I think probably one of the most important things is that our students are going to have unlimited access to this quantum computer. So when we announced that we'd have the quantum computer a quantum computing, Club of Students was formed within a matter of weeks, and they're going to be able to use it and do great things with it.
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Martin A. Schmidt - President of RPI [00:00:38] Well, I think for the nation, it's a race, right? There's a lot of countries pursuing quantum computing. The fact that we can partner with IBM, which is one of the world leaders, to help advance our nation's competency in quantum computing.
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Arvind Krishna - IBM Chariman and CEO [00:00:52] We believe that, the practical utility of quantum computing is right around the corner, but I see right around the corner 2 to 5 years. And so it's really important to get going. Working with academia, working with the faculty researchers, working with the students to work on practical problems because it will take them a couple of years to get the knowledge going.
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Arvind Krishna - IBM Chariman and CEO [00:01:13] We got to thank goodness for what he did, President Schmidt for allowing RPI to become the epicenter of this. By the way, it's not just New York State. In this case, RPI is the the epicenter of this for the globe. If I remember right, this is the first university with a full scale quantum computer anywhere.
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Arvind Krishna - IBM Chariman and CEO [00:01:33] You look at all the disciplines, you need to really make progress in quantum computing. You look at material science. You look at semiconductors. You look at algorithms. You look at electrical engineering. You look at bringing all of these things together. There is no better place than RPI to sort of help, go forward.
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Arvind Krishna - IBM Chariman and CEO [00:01:53] So if you look upon any of these technologies, what really bootstraps economic growth is having a workforce that understands these systems, knows how to exploit them and knows how to move forward.
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Tonko - Congressman [00:02:06] This investment not only is a strong development for this capital region and New York state, but for the world.
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Tonko - Congressman [00:02:14] College campuses like RPI and Suny Albany can really play a major role in providing that curricula that will enable people to have the skill sets.
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Havidan Rodriguez - President of the University of Albany [00:02:27] A focus on workforce development and really building the capacity of the capital region to become a national leader and a model for technology development. Now with the quantum computer this will be a major transformational project for our communities.
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Havidan Rodriguez - President of the University of Albany [00:02:47] When we get our researchers together, our faculty together from RPI and the University at Albany, to use this amazing technology to focus on the critical issues that are impacting our communities. This is the path forward in order to enhance and impact the public good in our communities.
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Papadopoulos - RPI QuantumComputing Club Co-President [00:03:12] So I want to make a bit of a call to action for everyone. Learn. Grow. Read. Get informed. Run programs on the quantum computer. Be curious. Get involved with RPI's quantum community. Talk to professors and start research projects in quantum. Become quantum leaders of the future at RPI and beyond.
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Curtis R. Priem - Vice Chair  RPI Board of Trustees [00:03:36] It is our culture from day one. To have hands on access to the apparatuses that we experiment with and we innovate with, and that we teach with.
14. Vorhees Computing Center
15. Quantum Ribbon Cutting Banner
16. Martin A. Schmidt, Arvind Krishna, Paul Tonko, Havidan Rodriguez, and Curtis R. Priem ahead of ribbon cutting
17. IBM Quantum System One Computer
18. Executives cutting the ribbon and unveiling the IBM Quantum System One Computer