IBM and NUS launch IBM-NUS Research Innovation Center to advance sustainable AI and quantum technologies
IBM and NUS launch IBM-NUS Research Innovation Center to advance sustainable AI and quantum technologies
NUS and IBM launched the IBM-NUS Research and Innovation Center, on 23 October 2025, marking a new chapter in research collaboration focused on advancing AI, quantum computing, and sustainable computing systems.
The launch event, held at the NUS School of Computing and officiated by Minister for Digital Development and Information, and Minister of Cybersecurity and Smart Nation, Josephine Teo, brought together senior leaders from both institutions, including Professor Liu Bin, Deputy President, Research and Technology, NUS, and Ms Priya Nagpurkar, Vice President, Hybrid Cloud and AI Platform, Research, IBM.
Professor Liu Bin highlighted that the Center represents a "strategic commitment to cutting-edge research and development with responsible engineering and real-world applications." She outlined three key pillars of collaboration:
- Sustainable AI Infrastructure (AIU): a full-stack AI unit built to optimise energy efficiency and computing performance, to be installed at NUS School of Computing by 2026.
- Quantum Computing Integration: building on NUS' existing collaboration with IBM through the IBM Quantum Innovation Center (established in 2020), to accelerate talent development and explore integration between AI and quantum systems
- Accelerating AI Systems from Silicon to Applications: combining NUS' expertise in computer architecture and compiler design with IBM's hardware-software co-design for next generation, self-optimising AI systems.
Ms Napurkar reaffirmed IBM's shared commitment to "sustainable and trustworthy AI", emphasising that open innovation is essential to solving the world's most complex technology challenges. "We cannot achieve sustainable AI behind closed doors. The IBM-NUS partnership is an extraordinary opportunity to build such an open community here in Singapore," she said.
A live demo by Dr Campbell Watson, Senior Research Manager and Master Inventor at IBM Research, showcased the power of IBM's AIU chip through geospatial AI models co-developed with NASA and the European Space Agency. The demo illustrated how foundation models can process satellite and radar imagery to identify patterns such as floods, land use, or maritime activity - applications that can support climate resilience, agriculture, and sustainability.
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting led by Minister Teo and representatives from NUS and IBM, symbolising a deepened partnership between academia and industry to advance responsible and impactful technology for society.
The UBM-NUS Research and Innovation Center will serve as a bridge between research excellence and enterprise innovation, nurturing talent and co-creating technologies that are sustainable, scalable, and beneficial to Singapore and the wider region.