Boosting AI and quantum research – NUS and IBM launch Research and Innovation Centre and ink MOUs with Chiang Mai University

The IBM-NUS Research and Innovation Centre was launched on 23 October 2025 with Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information and Minister-in-charge of Cybersecurity & Smart Nation Group, as Guest-of-Honour.

“The establishment of the IBM–NUS Research and Innovation Centre is a strategic commitment to cutting-edge Research and Development with responsible engineering and real-world applications. This partnership combines NUS’ deep research strengths with IBM’s industrial research expertise and enterprise-scale technology, accelerating the development of solutions that deliver meaningful societal and economic impact in many key areas,” said Professor Liu Bin, NUS Deputy President (Research and Technology).

The IBM–NUS Research and Innovation Centre will collaborate on various projects to accelerate scientific research leveraging IBM’s full-stack AI infrastructure and a selection of open-source models, including IBM’s flagship series of Granite models. The Centre harnesses NUS’ strong and extensive expertise in AI such as advanced microelectronics where innovations will accelerate AI systems from the chip up, as well as IBM’s Spyre accelerator chip, for use cases and applications such as in weather modelling and prediction, sustainable urban development, and security.

The Centre also aims to serve as an open innovation platform for Singapore agencies, academic and research institutions, as well as companies to jointly conduct cutting-edge AI research with significant translational potential.

“We believe that we cannot achieve success with sustainable AI with proprietary technologies behind closed doors controlled by a few. The challenges are too complex, the stakes are too high and the need for collaboration is extremely urgent. The IBM-NUS partnership is a great, extraordinary opportunity to create such a community right here in Singapore. I believe that the talent in NUS, vibrant startup ecosystem and supportive government policies create ideal conditions for certain ecosystems to be established and to thrive,” said Dr Priya Nagpurkar, Vice President, Hybrid Cloud and AI Platform, IBM.

“Since the announcement last year, both IBM and NUS have now finalised the configuration of the full-stack AIU infrastructure, which will be installed at NUS School of Computing by early 2026. The AIU is built for sustainable AI – optimising throughput per watt, minimising movement of data, and delivering lower energy per inference. IBM and NUS will continue to co-develop AI applications with clear pathways that will benefit Singapore’s economy and society,” added Prof Liu.

Prof Liu highlighted NUS’ collaboration with IBM in quantum computing as the host of the IBM Quantum Innovation Centre. With the goal of preparing and empowering a future-ready workforce, NUS is also in the process of setting up the NUS Integrated Quantum and AI Computing Consortium.

Advancing regional research collaboration with Chiang Mai University

Adding to the momentum, NUS, IBM and Chiang Mai University (CMU) have also signed MOUs which will see CMU working with NUS to harness IBM’s AI infrastructure and quantum computers to deliver actionable insights for research to tackle real-world challenges in Thailand.

An MOU signed between CMU and NUS in August 2025 provides opportunities for joint research and development, and the sharing of best practices and co-innovation on next-generation AI and quantum technologies.

Additionally, CMU has signed an MOU with IBM to participate in the IBM-NUS Research and Innovation Centre. CMU intends work through the Centre to explore collaborations in AI with an emphasis on how to establish a cutting-edge Al-centric compute infrastructure, as well as establish an innovation agenda that aims to build Thailands’s advanced AI ecosystem.

CMU also signed an MOU with IBM to begin the process of joining the IBM Quantum Network. CMU would be a member of the IBM Quantum Innovation Centre, which has been hosted at NUS since 2020, to gain cloud access to IBM quantum computers and resources for research and workforce development.

Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS, said, “NUS is delighted to partner Chiang Mai University and IBM to advance AI and quantum science through open, collaborative research, while developing the talent and resources essential for the region’s growth. Working together, we aim to strengthen regional cooperation — including with leading universities in the ASEAN University Network — and translate cutting-edge research into practical, powerful solutions for real world problems. Sustainability is a key priority for NUS, and a particularly exciting focus of this strategic collaboration will be leveraging foundation models to address challenges from climate change to disaster management. We look forward to working closely with Chiang Mai University and IBM to deliver tangible impact for society and industry across ASEAN.”

Professor Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, President of CMU, stated, “This proposed collaboration with NUS marks a major leap for Chiang Mai University in elevating our research and innovation capabilities to the global stage. IBM’s quantum technology and AI will be important elements of this future development with NUS. These plans as outlined in the MOUs will not only enable our researchers and students to work with experts and access cutting-edge technologies, but also establish a solid foundation for Thailand to become a leader in deep technology within the region. We are committed to producing high-quality research and graduates who can drive the nation forward.”

Ms Catherine Lian, General Manager and Technology Leader of IBM ASEAN, said, “This proposed relationship between IBM and CMU reflects our commitment to responsible innovation that accelerate progress and empower innovators. By combining world-class research with local talent development, we would be bringing this capability to Thailand through the NUS-CMU partnership, fostering the next breakthroughs in AI-driven and quantum-enabled solutions that would be designed to directly support the region’s competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability.”

These MOUs pave the way for NUS and CMU to explore the co-development of research initiatives by leveraging IBM’s infrastructure for their joint research that align with regional priorities and institutional strengths in the areas of AI and quantum computing to address the pressing challenges like climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and public health of this region.

The efforts between the three parties demonstrate a shared commitment to joint research, strengthening the ecosystem, and talent development, marking a significant step forward in advancing AI and quantum computing innovation in Singapore and Thailand.