IBM to invest $150B in U.S. development

The computer giant planned to invest $150 billion in domestic projects over the next five years, according to a company statement released Monday. The investment specifically earmarked over $30 billion for research and development of mainframe and quantum computers in the United States. This investment will cement IBM as the heart of international advanced computing and AI capabilities, IBM President and CEO Arvind Krishna said in the statement.

What is quantum computing? Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to speed up a device’s computational processes and allows it to solve problems faster than traditional computers. The emerging technology presents a number of opportunities for the American economy and national security, IBM said. The company operates the largest fleet of quantum computer systems in the world and plans to continue designing and building those systems in the United States, the statement said.

IBM’s marked the latest in a string of tech investments under the Trump administration. Apple announced in February its plan to invest $500 billion in domestic investments over the next four years. Tech investment firm Softbank also vowed in December to invest $100 billion in the United States within the next four years.