IBM to Invest in New York-Based AI Chip R&D Hub

IBM and a public research university have partnered to open a facility in Albany, N.Y. to develop and test artificial intelligence-based computer chips as part of the technology firm’s $2.B high-technology investment plan.

The company said Thursday it will help the SUNY Polytechnic Institute establish the AI Hardware Center on the campus to facilitate research, development,  prototyping, simulation and testing efforts with industry partners such as Samsung, Applied Materials and Tokyo Electron Ltd.

“By expanding our partnership with New York State, we are creating a global hub of AI hardware research with an ecosystem to innovate, incubate, and lead in the development of disruptive technologies,” said Mukesh Khare, vice president of the semiconductor and AI hardware division at IBM’s research arm.

New York’s Empire State Development group intends to provide a five-year, $300M capital grant to the Research Foundation for SUNY to buy and install equipment the new center.

IBM added it plans to continue working with SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Center for Semiconductor Research through 2023, with a five-year extension option that will run through 2028.