CINXE.COM
Introducing the Think Lab at IBM Research Yorktown - IBM Research
<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en-US"><head><meta charSet="utf-8"/><meta name="twitter:label1" content="Written by"/><meta name="twitter:data1" content="Mike Murphy"/><meta name="twitter:label2" content="Est. reading time"/><meta name="twitter:data2" content="7 minutes"/><title>Introducing the Think Lab at IBM Research Yorktown - IBM Research</title><meta name="description" content="The new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing."/><meta name="robots" content="index,follow"/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1"/><link rel="canonical" href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/think-lab-ibm-research-yorktown"/><link rel="icon" href="//www.ibm.com/favicon.ico"/><meta name="dcterms.date" content="2021-02-09"/><meta name="dcterms.rights" content="© Copyright IBM Corp. 2021"/><meta name="geo.country" content="US"/><meta name="google-site-verification" content="O1nsbg1J1iAeYJK6HneffI0_RiLebmSPxfs5ESYNnwI"/><script type="application/ld+json">{"@type":"Article","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Mike Murphy","url":"https://research.ibm.com/blog?author=mike-murphy"}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"IBM","url":"https://ibm.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://research.ibm.com/ibm-logo.svg","width":"576","height":"576"}},"headline":"How IBM Research built a lab for the future of computing","datePublished":"2024-08-29T04:00:00.000Z","dateModified":"2024-08-29T14:13:19.387Z","description":"In a lab an hour north of New York sits the most advanced quantum computer in the world, and a cluster of revolutionary prototype AI chips. This new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing. Here’s why we did it.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/thinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png","width":"1920","height":"1080"},"@context":"https://schema.org","url":"https://research.ibm.com/blog/think-lab-ibm-research-yorktown","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://research.ibm.com/"}}</script><meta property="og:title" content="Introducing the Think Lab at IBM Research Yorktown"/><meta property="og:type" content="article"/><meta property="og:url" content="https://research.ibm.com/blog/think-lab-ibm-research-yorktown"/><meta property="og:site_name" content="IBM Research"/><meta property="og:locale" content="en_US"/><meta property="og:description" content="The new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing."/><meta property="og:image" content="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_c4d50e9a89.png&w=1200&q=85"/><meta property="og:image:width" content="1200"/><meta property="og:image:height" content="675"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/><meta name="twitter:creator" content="@IBMResearch"/><meta name="twitter:site" content="@IBMResearch"/><meta name="twitter:title" content="Introducing the Think Lab at IBM Research Yorktown"/><meta name="twitter:description" content="The new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing."/><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_c4d50e9a89.png&w=1200&q=85"/><link rel="preload" as="image" imageSrcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=16&q=85 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=32&q=85 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=48&q=85 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=64&q=85 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=96&q=85 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=128&q=85 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=256&q=85 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=384&q=85 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=640&q=85 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=750&q=85 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=828&q=85 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1080&q=85 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1200&q=85 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1920&q=85 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=2048&q=85 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=3840&q=85 3840w" imageSizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.6875 + 30rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.6875 + 30rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.75 + 33rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)"/><meta name="next-head-count" content="32"/><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/css/c711de923e14a879.css" as="style"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/css/c711de923e14a879.css" data-n-g=""/><link rel="preload" href="/_next/static/css/e472faa4ba9d6993.css" as="style"/><link rel="stylesheet" href="/_next/static/css/e472faa4ba9d6993.css" data-n-p=""/><noscript data-n-css=""></noscript><script defer="" nomodule="" src="/_next/static/chunks/polyfills-78c92fac7aa8fdd8.js"></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/webpack-6544341ec3d6a473.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/framework-a435b9ecada0512e.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/main-98fc3729ee188c81.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/pages/_app-9954618bc766a209.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/1c920f04-fd5ceb4b17804e66.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/fc20e1c4-bd5fb1ffb1b90849.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/5f6bb6fb-5d9ee9a773b45aaf.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/2f37a77d-5537c4133dec15cf.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/43a99af2-f2bba6a39515b360.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/cfc6b023-1dc913724c89b772.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/c2ec1d10-e7d6fefd7d18aebc.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/e51a3977-18ed576c50b5555c.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/262b3caa-93b0d5e5a698ca5a.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/da011f70-c9bf48be68082e54.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/42e09a2c-743af63c54dd1a93.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/175675d1-646a8237fccb004e.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/761cb607-b7b11c919f30fe95.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/0e6451da-4ae60aa0df40e077.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/79eb02f1-ce4293526b471551.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/8edc3fe5-87ad23b01e1ddc0c.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/b16bd182-8ce0502c84961c49.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/ebd65826-3fb8680bbcefb226.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/9834-4d5a72b7844c9fa4.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/2131-d9b4cb5317eebcae.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/6831-16751a1bb46683d0.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/9755-4a5976c8ec7f097e.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/2697-5bb43456268b3edb.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/5071-4a74e7be77a5d037.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/4897-05f4f4332ae0a1b8.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/4891-86646d0aa9745ba6.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/221-e6f5864650b05365.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/9315-39439f531ebc3f2b.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/chunks/pages/blog/%5Bbid%5D-ee51baafa1623269.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/iOcPTflN99LxtqEOvJ5Aj/_buildManifest.js" defer=""></script><script src="/_next/static/iOcPTflN99LxtqEOvJ5Aj/_ssgManifest.js" defer=""></script></head><body><script>0</script><div id="__next"><div class="bx--masthead "><div class="bx--masthead__l0"><header aria-label="IBM" data-autoid="dds--masthead" class="bx--header"><a class="bx--skip-to-content" href="#main-content" tabindex="0">Skip to main content</a><button data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-menu" aria-label="Open menu" class="bx--masthead__platform bx--header__action bx--header__menu-trigger bx--header__menu-toggle bx--header__menu-toggle__hidden" title="Open menu" type="button"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M2 14.8H18V16H2zM2 11.2H18V12.399999999999999H2zM2 7.6H18V8.799999999999999H2zM2 4H18V5.2H2z"></path></svg></button><div class="bx--side-nav__overlay"></div><nav aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__navigation bx--side-nav bx--side-nav--ux bx--side-nav--hidden" aria-label="Side navigation"><nav data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0"><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-productname" href="/" aria-haspopup="true" class="bx--side-nav__submenu bx--side-nav__submenu-platform">Research</a><ul class="bx--side-nav__items"><div class="bx--side-nav__header-navigation"><div><div aria-hidden="false" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section--expanded" id="panel__(-1,-1)"><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><button aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-selected="" class="bx--side-nav__submenu" data-title="focus-areas" type="button"><div class="bx--side-nav__submenu-content"><span class="bx--side-nav__submenu-title" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav0">Focus areas</span><div class="bx--side-nav__icon bx--side-nav__icon--small bx--side-nav__submenu-chevron"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></div></div></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu--selected"><a href="/blog" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav1" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Blog</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/publications" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav2" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Publications</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="https://www.ibm.com/careers/us-en/teams/research/" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav3" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Careers</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><button aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-selected="" class="bx--side-nav__submenu" data-title="about" type="button"><div class="bx--side-nav__submenu-content"><span class="bx--side-nav__submenu-title" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav4">About</span><div class="bx--side-nav__icon bx--side-nav__icon--small bx--side-nav__submenu-chevron"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></div></div></button></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(0,-1)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-title">Focus areas</li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/semiconductors" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav0-list0" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Semiconductors</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/artificial-intelligence" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav0-list1" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Artificial Intelligence</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/quantum-computing" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav0-list2" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Quantum Computing</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/hybrid-cloud" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav0-list3" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Hybrid Cloud</span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(4,-1)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-title">About</li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/about" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav4-list0" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Overview</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/labs" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav4-list1" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Labs</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/people" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav4-list2" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">People</span></a></li><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item"><a href="/collaborate" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-nav4-list3" class="bx--side-nav__link"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Collaborate</span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(0,0)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/semiconductors" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Semiconductors<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(0,1)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/artificial-intelligence" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Artificial Intelligence<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(0,2)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/quantum-computing" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Quantum Computing<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(0,3)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/hybrid-cloud" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Hybrid Cloud<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(4,0)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/about" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Overview<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(4,1)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/labs" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Labs<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(4,2)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/people" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">People<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div><div aria-hidden="true" class="bx--side-nav__menu-section bx--side-nav__menu-section-submenu" id="panel__(4,3)"><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button><li class="bx--side-nav__menu-item bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-back"><button class="bx--side-nav__link" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco-sidenav__l0-back" isbackbutton="true"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M10 16L20 6 21.4 7.4 12.8 16 21.4 24.6 20 26z"></path></svg>Back</span></button></li><li class="bx--side-nav__item"><a href="/collaborate" class="bx--side-nav__link bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title"><span class="bx--side-nav__link-text">Collaborate<div class="bx--masthead__side-nav--submemu-section-title__icon"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M11.8 2.8L10.8 3.8 16.2 9.3 1 9.3 1 10.7 16.2 10.7 10.8 16.2 11.8 17.2 19 10z"></path></svg></div></span></a></li><button class="bx--masthead__focus" aria-hidden="true"></button></div></div></div></ul></nav></nav><div class="bx--header__logo"><a aria-label="IBM®" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-logo" href="https://www.ibm.com"><img src="/_next/static/media/IBM-8bar-logo--h23.8bbea713.svg" alt="IBM logo"/></a></div><div class="bx--header__search bx--masthead__platform"><div class="bx--masthead__platform-name"><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-ecosystemname" class="bx--header__name" href="/">Research</a></div><div class="bx--header__nav-container"><div class="bx--header__nav-content"><div class="bx--sub-content-left"></div><div class="bx--sub-content-right"></div><nav data-autoid="dds--masthead__l0-nav" aria-label="IBM" class="bx--header__nav"><ul aria-label="IBM" class="bx--header__menu-bar"><li class="bx--header__submenu" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav0"><a aria-haspopup="menu" aria-expanded="false" class="bx--header__menu-item bx--header__menu-title" data-title="focus-areas" href="#" role="menuitem" tabindex="0" aria-selected="false" aria-label="Focus areas">Focus areas<svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" class="bx--header__menu-arrow"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></a><ul aria-label="Focus areas" class="bx--header__menu"><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav0--subnav-col0-item0" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/semiconductors"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Semiconductors</span></a></li><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav0--subnav-col0-item1" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/artificial-intelligence"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Artificial Intelligence</span></a></li><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav0--subnav-col0-item2" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/quantum-computing"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Quantum Computing</span></a></li><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav0--subnav-col0-item3" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/hybrid-cloud"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Hybrid Cloud</span></a></li></ul></li><li><a aria-selected="true" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav1" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/blog"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Blog</span></a></li><li><a aria-selected="false" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav2" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/publications"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Publications</span></a></li><li><a aria-selected="false" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav3" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="https://www.ibm.com/careers/us-en/teams/research/"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Careers</span></a></li><li class="bx--header__submenu" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav4"><a aria-haspopup="menu" aria-expanded="false" class="bx--header__menu-item bx--header__menu-title" data-title="about" href="#" role="menuitem" tabindex="0" aria-selected="false" aria-label="About">About<svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" class="bx--header__menu-arrow"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></a><ul aria-label="About" class="bx--header__menu"><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav4--subnav-col0-item0" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/about"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Overview</span></a></li><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav4--subnav-col0-item1" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/labs"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Labs</span></a></li><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav4--subnav-col0-item2" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/people"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">People</span></a></li><li><a data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-nav4--subnav-col0-item3" class="bx--header__menu-item" tabindex="0" href="/collaborate"><span class="bx--text-truncate--end">Collaborate</span></a></li></ul></li></ul></nav></div><div class="bx--header__nav-caret-left-container" hidden=""><button class="bx--header__nav-caret-left" aria-label="Masthead left caret" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M20 24L10 16 20 8z"></path></svg></button><div class="bx--header__nav-caret-left-gradient"></div></div><div class="bx--header__nav-caret-right-container" hidden=""><div class="bx--header__nav-caret-right-gradient"></div><button class="bx--header__nav-caret-right" aria-label="Masthead right caret" tabindex="-1" aria-hidden="true"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M12 8L22 16 12 24z"></path></svg></button></div></div><div class="bx--masthead__overlay"></div><div data-autoid="dds--masthead__search" class="bx--masthead__search"><div class="bx--header__search--actions"><button data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-search" aria-label="Open IBM search field" tabindex="0" class="bx--header__search--search bx--header__action bx--btn bx--btn--primary bx--btn--icon-only bx--tooltip__trigger bx--tooltip--a11y bx--btn--icon-only--bottom bx--tooltip--align-center" type="button"><div class="bx--assistive-text">Open IBM search field</div><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M29,27.5859l-7.5521-7.5521a11.0177,11.0177,0,1,0-1.4141,1.4141L27.5859,29ZM4,13a9,9,0,1,1,9,9A9.01,9.01,0,0,1,4,13Z"></path></svg></button><button data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-search--close" aria-label="Close" tabindex="0" class="bx--header__search--close bx--header__action bx--btn bx--btn--primary bx--btn--icon-only bx--tooltip__trigger bx--tooltip--a11y bx--btn--icon-only--bottom bx--tooltip--align-center" type="button"><div class="bx--assistive-text">Close</div><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M24 9.4L22.6 8 16 14.6 9.4 8 8 9.4 14.6 16 8 22.6 9.4 24 16 17.4 22.6 24 24 22.6 17.4 16 24 9.4z"></path></svg></button></div></div></div><div class="bx--header__global bx--header__profile"><button class="bx--header__action bx--overflow-menu" data-autoid="dds--masthead-eco__l0-account" style="width:3rem" type="button" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="User Profile"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16 4a5 5 0 11-5 5 5 5 0 015-5m0-2a7 7 0 107 7A7 7 0 0016 2zM26 30H24V25a5 5 0 00-5-5H13a5 5 0 00-5 5v5H6V25a7 7 0 017-7h6a7 7 0 017 7z"></path></svg></button></div></header></div></div><main id="main-content" class="TVcX0"><article id="blogDetail"><div class="dvOzI"><div class="OOcqu VkINb"><div class="_879tr aVLxf"><header class="KHAZu _LX6c"><div class="bEKAI"><div class="_4k_Q1"><a class="xHBSN" name="pageStart" style="--top:0px;--top-offset:0rem"></a></div><span class="_2xxN"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M26,4h-4V2h-2v2h-8V2h-2v2H6C4.9,4,4,4.9,4,6v20c0,1.1,0.9,2,2,2h20c1.1,0,2-0.9,2-2V6C28,4.9,27.1,4,26,4z M26,26H6V12h20 V26z M26,10H6V6h4v2h2V6h8v2h2V6h4V10z"></path></svg><time dateTime="2024-08-29T04:00:00.000Z">29 Aug 2024</time></span><span class="_8qSvG"><div class="_5Cpod"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16,2A14,14,0,1,0,30,16,14,14,0,0,0,16,2ZM27.84,14.14,22,17.52V5.62A12,12,0,0,1,27.84,14.14ZM12,18.68V13.32L16,11l4,2.31v5.36L16,21Zm8-14V11L10.34,5.42A11.9,11.9,0,0,1,20,4.7Zm-11.52,2L14,9.85,4,15.62A12,12,0,0,1,8.48,6.66ZM4.16,17.85,10,14.47V26.38A12,12,0,0,1,4.16,17.85ZM12,27.3V21l9.67,5.58A11.92,11.92,0,0,1,16,28,12.05,12.05,0,0,1,12,27.3Zm11.52-2L18,22.14l10-5.77A12,12,0,0,1,23.52,25.34Z"></path></svg>Deep Dive</div></span><span class="SnZqp"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16,30A14,14,0,1,1,30,16,14,14,0,0,1,16,30ZM16,4A12,12,0,1,0,28,16,12,12,0,0,0,16,4Z"></path><path d="M20.59 22L15 16.41 15 7 17 7 17 15.58 22 20.59 20.59 22z"></path></svg>7<!-- --> minute read</span></div><h1 class="pWztW">How IBM Research built a lab for the future of computing</h1><div class="_86szE RUxl8"><p class="eBWTD EihHw DMxM7">In a lab an hour north of New York sits the most advanced quantum computer in the world, and a cluster of revolutionary prototype AI chips. This new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing. Here’s why we did it.</p></div><figure class="plBab"><div class="Q4G3p"><span class="IWZPG"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.6875 + 30rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.6875 + 30rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.75 + 33rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=16&q=85 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=32&q=85 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=48&q=85 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=64&q=85 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=96&q=85 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=128&q=85 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=256&q=85 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=384&q=85 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=640&q=85 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=750&q=85 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=828&q=85 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1080&q=85 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1200&q=85 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1920&q=85 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=2048&q=85 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=3840&q=85 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=3840&q=85" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover"/></span><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.6875 + 30rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.6875 + 30rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.75 + 33rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=16&q=85 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=32&q=85 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=48&q=85 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=64&q=85 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=96&q=85 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=128&q=85 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=256&q=85 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=384&q=85 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=640&q=85 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=750&q=85 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=828&q=85 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1080&q=85 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1200&q=85 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=1920&q=85 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=2048&q=85 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=3840&q=85 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png&w=3840&q=85" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover"/></span></span><div class="UGlWA"><button type="button" class="DHq_P" aria-label="Play"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path fill="none" d="M11,23a1,1,0,0,1-1-1V10a1,1,0,0,1,1.4473-.8945l12,6a1,1,0,0,1,0,1.789l-12,6A1.001,1.001,0,0,1,11,23Z"></path><path d="M16,2A14,14,0,1,0,30,16,14,14,0,0,0,16,2Zm7.4473,14.8945-12,6A1,1,0,0,1,10,22V10a1,1,0,0,1,1.4473-.8945l12,6a1,1,0,0,1,0,1.789Z"></path></svg></button></div></div><figcaption>Watch: A lab for the future of computing</figcaption></figure></header><div class="twuQz"><div class="tgS3k"><div class="_86szE u4OVN"><p class="eBWTD EihHw DMxM7">In a lab an hour north of New York sits the most advanced quantum computer in the world, and a cluster of revolutionary prototype AI chips. This new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing. Here’s why we did it.</p></div></div><div class="KfgL5 Xx_eB"><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD EihHw">For almost the entirety of the Computer Age, the world has focused on making classical computer structures smaller, faster, and more efficient. At its simplest, the concept of how today’s most powerful supercomputer can run computations in the blink of an eye isn’t much different than how the first computers ran all those decades ago. Albeit on a far more modest scale.</p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">In recent years, however, new ways of thinking have started to emerge. Quantum computing has moved from theoretical discussions to massive machines that are on the cusp of answering some of the world’s toughest questions. AI can generate fantastical content and make pressing business decisions simpler, at scales previously impossible. And new ways of connecting and running classical supercomputers has put an imperceptibly massive amount of compute power at the hands of just about anyone who needs it.</p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">Each of these computing paradigms — grounded in bits, neurons, and qubits — are groundbreaking on their own. But when they’re used to complement each other, the results will be even more transformative. It’s the concept of <a href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/future-of-ibm-innovation" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">accelerated discovery</a> that IBM Research has been exploring in recent years. There’s a belief here that it’s how we’ll usher in the next era of computing.</p></div><figure class="bJ_v2"><div class="o5lLf"><div class="IX3v0"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="image of an industrial space with several people milling about or sitting at tables" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="btaRJ" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="image of an industrial space with several people milling about or sitting at tables" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="btaRJ" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) 99rem, 100vw" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthink_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="tgS3k"><div class="_8SBR1"><div class="QjJK6"><figcaption class="KJQbx">The Think Lab at IBM Research's headquarters in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.</figcaption></div></div></div></figure><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">It’s why IBM spent the better part of 2023 building a new lab within the Yorktown Heights, New York headquarters of IBM Research. Its goal: to bring together the latest in quantum computing, AI processing, and hybrid cloud technologies. The new space is meant to be the physical manifestation of what’s next in computing. It’s a working lab, where scientists from different domains can work together to shape new ideas and partnerships that likely wouldn’t have occurred by working alone in their own spaces. </p></div><div class="tgS3k"><h2 class="ec9zY m3roq"><a class="xHBSN" name="-bringing-the-platforms-together" style="--top:0px;--top-offset:0rem"></a>Bringing the platforms together</h2></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">There will be many new types of computations where having machines close together will be useful. Just from a practical perspective, being able to troubleshoot work on multiple systems in real time could make it easier for researchers to figure out how best to optimize their algorithms for the hardware they’re working on. Similarly, trying to figure out how to optimize multi-cloud structures is a lot easier when everything you’re working on is right next to each other. But there’s also the issue of latency, according to Zaira Nazario, director of Science and Technology in the Office of the Director of IBM Research.</p></div><div class="nj7Qi"><figure class="saf3g nYXXU"><div class="kPuAT"><div class="H9aWM"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="YKT_Quantum_Shot_01(1).jpg" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="qJzBH" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="YKT_Quantum_Shot_01(1).jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="qJzBH" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5625 + 24rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=16&q=75 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=32&q=75 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=48&q=75 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=64&q=75 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=96&q=75 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=128&q=75 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="jf7he"><figcaption class="KJQbx">The IBM Quantum System Two installed in the lab. It's meant to be modular, and there's space for a second system to be installed as needs grow.</figcaption></div></figure></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">Many quantum computations don’t need classical computers next to them to carry out their tasks — that can happen through the cloud. "There are some, however, where you need them very close to each other, because you need to be able to run things in a matter of hundreds of nanoseconds or microseconds," Nazario said. "The time scale and the classical computing requirements that need to be brought to quantum computing depend on the problem at hand, the needs of different types of developers, and the level of abstraction at which you’re working."</p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">"Those are the ones that we would like to discover — the bits, qubits, and neurons story — and for those, co-location of the systems becomes important," she said.</p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">The space also serves to highlight how the nature of computing itself is changing. In the past, supercomputers and datacenters have primarily consisted of endless rows of server blades. Today, we’re starting to see new chips and processors enter the fray, from GPUs and <a href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/spyre-for-z" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">AI accelerators</a> for handling the burgeoning AI workloads the world is using, and <a href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/what-are-computer-chiplets" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">chiplets</a> to tackle how we move beyond Moore’s Law. We’re seeing datacenter owners and national labs reconsider what high-performance computing (HPC) systems look like with the AI explosion — but this is just the start. </p></div><div class="nj7Qi"><figure class="saf3g nYXXU"><div class="kPuAT"><div class="H9aWM"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="10_Think Lab Theater.jpg" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="qJzBH" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="10_Think Lab Theater.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="qJzBH" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5625 + 24rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=16&q=75 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=32&q=75 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=48&q=75 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=64&q=75 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=96&q=75 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=128&q=75 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2F10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="jf7he"><figcaption class="KJQbx">The new theater in the Think Lab, designed as a space to showcase the latest innovations to visitors, researchers, and other IBMers.</figcaption></div></figure></div><div class="tgS3k"><h2 class="ec9zY m3roq"><a class="xHBSN" name="-the-datacenter-of-tomorrow" style="--top:0px;--top-offset:0rem"></a>The datacenter of tomorrow</h2></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD"> "What do data centers that support these big missions start to look like in the future? These facilities will have the three types of systems in order to support users,” Nazario said. And these systems won’t always be interconnected, either — if you’re a large facility supporting many users, some will likely only be interested in access to quantum systems, some will want to run traditional HPC or AI workloads — and some will be after some combination of all three. </p></div><div class="nj7Qi"><figure class="saf3g nYXXU"><div class="kPuAT"><div class="H9aWM"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="Think Lab Quantum System One.png" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="qJzBH" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="Think Lab Quantum System One.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="qJzBH" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5625 + 24rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=16&q=85 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=32&q=85 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=48&q=85 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=64&q=85 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=96&q=85 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=128&q=85 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=256&q=85 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=384&q=85 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=640&q=85 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=750&q=85 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=828&q=85 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=1080&q=85 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=1200&q=85 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=1920&q=85 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=2048&q=85 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=3840&q=85 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png&w=3840&q=85"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="jf7he"><figcaption class="KJQbx">Researchers working near the Quantum System One installed in the lab.</figcaption></div></figure></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">In the Think Lab, the team set out to build a space that could accommodate the modular new <a href="https://www.ibm.com/quantum/blog/quantum-roadmap-2033" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">IBM Quantum System Two,</a> along with a cluster of IBM’s prototype <a href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/ai-hardware-forum-2023" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">AIU chips,</a> and even future Z systems. The space isn’t meant to look the same forever, but rather adapt to the needs of researchers and those who visit the lab, according to IBM Research Creative Director Mark Podlaseck. Tables and chairs can be wheeled away or pulled over to sketch something out, the AIU computing cluster is extensible, and there’s even room for an entire second System Two to be installed if need be — even that system was installed under the expectation that it could be modified or expanded. </p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">It’s a vision that could be replicated at any institution that would see value in adopting these new forms of computation. “You could be a national lab, or a pharmaceutical company that has a large research division, and you would need different types of systems to support the simulations that you need to do to discover drugs, and you want that to be modular so that it grows with user need,” Nazario said. “We also wanted to be modular so that is easier to upgrade as advances come in.” </p></div><figure class="bJ_v2"><div class="o5lLf"><div class="IX3v0"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="YKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures.jpg" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="btaRJ" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="YKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="btaRJ" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) 99rem, 100vw" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FYKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="tgS3k"><div class="_8SBR1"><div class="QjJK6"><figcaption class="KJQbx">The AIU cluster, with engineers working on updating server blades installed inside. Work can carry on in the rest of the lab without disruption.</figcaption></div></div></div></figure><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">The lab even has space to adapt beyond the systems that are in there now. The AIU cluster that’s been installed is working on real workloads for IBM right now, including hate, abuse, and profanity (or HAP) filtering for <a href="https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-ai/foundation-models" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">watsonx AI models</a>, using less energy to do so than many similar AI computing systems would. The cluster is set up on standard PCIe cards, meaning new versions can be easily installed. And for all the systems installed today, they’re meant to be easily worked on, Podlaseck said. The lab does not need to be shut down to do maintenance on the Quantum System Two, or the AIU cluster. </p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">The AIU, <a href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/ibm-artificial-intelligence-unit-aiu" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">first unveiled</a> in 2022, is a prototype chip design where computation and memory are tightly intertwined on the chip to reduce the latency in for deep learning and AI computations. It came out of the research that went into the <a href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/research-powering-ibmz16" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">Telum</a>CPU first built for IBM’s z16 in 2021.</p></div><div class="nj7Qi"><figure class="saf3g nYXXU"><div class="kPuAT"><div class="H9aWM"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="IBM_AIU_Node_08.jpg" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="qJzBH" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="IBM_AIU_Node_08.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="qJzBH" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5625 + 24rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=16&q=75 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=32&q=75 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=48&q=75 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=64&q=75 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=96&q=75 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=128&q=75 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FIBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="jf7he"><figcaption class="KJQbx">IBM Researcher JohnDavid Lancaster working on one of the AIU nodes in the Think Lab.</figcaption></div></figure></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">As AI gets embedded into ever more business processes, the team is working to take the insights from deploying Telum and the AIU for the next generation of Z systems, which will have a home at the Think Lab in the future. This includes the recently announced <a href="https://research.ibm.com/blog/spyre-for-z" class="bx--link _7_4F7 bx--link--inline">Spyre AI Accelerator</a>.</p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">The new lab is much about building the platforms for researchers to create what’s next in computing as it is redefining the notion of what a datacenter looks like in the future. It’s a combination of some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world, and a space that’s meant to honor IBM’s design history, including that of the building it’s in. </p></div><div class="tgS3k"><h2 class="ec9zY m3roq"><a class="xHBSN" name="-informed-by-the-past-to-design-the-future" style="--top:0px;--top-offset:0rem"></a>Informed by the past to design the future</h2></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">The IBM Research headquarters was designed by the storied architect Eero Saarinen and is filled with furniture designed by Ray and Charles Eames. Podlaseck said in designing the new lab, they wanted to “embrace as much as possible the infrastructure of the old building, its rawness and honesty.” </p></div><div class="nj7Qi"><figure class="saf3g nYXXU"><div class="kPuAT"><div class="H9aWM"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="Think_Lab_06A_2.jpg" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="qJzBH" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="Think_Lab_06A_2.jpg" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="qJzBH" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5625 + 24rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=16&q=75 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=32&q=75 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=48&q=75 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=64&q=75 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=96&q=75 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=128&q=75 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="jf7he"><figcaption class="KJQbx">Installed on the fieldstone Saarinen first laid for the entrance to the Yorktown lab now sits renderings of chips for a neuromorphic computer, a quantum computer, and an AI accelerator — all designed by IBM Research, and underlining the vision of bits, neurons, and qubits that will be powering the future of computing.</figcaption></div></figure></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">When Saarinen was designing the office, he wanted to use the natural beauty in the area as inspiration for the researchers who would work in the office. Some 4,000 tons of local Westchester fieldstone were used inside and out in building the lab, and Saarinen put massive windows along the entire perimeter of the lab, to allow researchers constant refreshing nature breaks between their intensive work sessions. At the same time, he designed libraries, a large central cafeteria, and meeting nooks throughout the facility to ensure that people could, perhaps with a little serendipity, come across others who worked on completely different tasks and find new ways to be inspired. That’s something that the new Think lab has tried to maintain within its design. </p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">It was unclear whether the original concrete from 1961 would be stable enough to host these massive new systems, as any slight fluctuation in stability can throw off the extremely delicate quantum computations happening inside this System Two. Podlaseck said they did countless tests to ensure the space would be able to support everything that was envisioned for it, and in the end, the team was surprised how well the concrete and rock used in Saarinen’s original designs have held up. The IBM Quantum System Two is clad with polished anodized aluminum and surrounded by 70/30 glass, creating the impression that the system exists within an infinity of reflections — and the vast multidimensional spaces that quantum computing operates within. </p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">You get a similar sense of grandiosity when first walking into the lab today. Although the systems are monolithic and demanding of your gaze, Podlaseck and team have ensured that the space is welcoming — and befitting of the wider lab. The furniture that was added fits the Mid-Century era in which the lab was built. There’s a record player off to the side that was spinning Coltrane when I came to speak to Podlaseck. You can make yourself an espresso, sit and listen to the quantum computer’s rhythmic thrum between meetings. It’s inviting, encouraging folks to drop in and see what’s new, and perhaps make a new connection with a colleague in doing so. As former CEO Thomas Watson Jr. once said, “Good design is good business.” </p></div><div class="nj7Qi"><figure class="saf3g nYXXU"><div class="kPuAT"><div class="H9aWM"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="Think Lab Lounge area.png" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="qJzBH" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%"/><noscript><img alt="Think Lab Lounge area.png" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%" class="qJzBH" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.625 + 27rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5625 + 24rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 1 + 21rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=16&q=85 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=32&q=85 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=48&q=85 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=64&q=85 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=96&q=85 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=128&q=85 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=256&q=85 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=384&q=85 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=640&q=85 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=750&q=85 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=828&q=85 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=1080&q=85 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=1200&q=85 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=1920&q=85 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=2048&q=85 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=3840&q=85 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FThink_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png&w=3840&q=85"/></noscript></span></div></div><div class="jf7he"><figcaption class="KJQbx">The lounge area just inside the entrance to the Think Lab is a cozy respite on a cold day.</figcaption></div></figure></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD">The lab is as much a testament to how IBM has approached building new technologies over its lifetime as it is a space to answer the latest burning questions in computing. And it will grow and evolve, much like IBM itself has over the decades, as we begin to unlock the answers to some of those questions. </p></div><div class="tgS3k"><p class="eBWTD DMxM7">“This is not a static lab — it was built as a lab, not as a showroom,” Nazario said. “As our research evolves, the lab will change.” </p></div></div><div class="Torc3"><div class="_1UAwl"><a class="_3TJyT AABvn" href="https://www.ibm.com/account/reg/us-en/signup?formid=news-urx-53237"><div class="i3ES9 IyxDB">Subscribe to our Future Forward newsletter and stay up to date on the latest research news<svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" class="Ptkl_"><path d="M18 6L16.57 7.393 24.15 15 4 15 4 17 24.15 17 16.57 24.573 18 26 28 16 18 6z"></path></svg></div><div class="_7vYZG GjrXU"><span>Subscribe to our newsletter</span></div></a></div></div></div></div><div class="IrjA7"><nav aria-label="breadcrumbs" class="g9di5 r3uz9"><ol><li><a class="bx--link" href="/">Home</a></li><li><span class="aEWzI" aria-hidden="true">↳<!-- --> </span><a class="bx--link" href="/blog">Blog</a></li></ol></nav><section class="_8PIse izDYk"><h2 class="DGVSD">Date<svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></h2><time dateTime="2024-08-29T04:00:00.000Z">29 Aug 2024</time></section><div class="xRbfW"></div><div class="WotuJ HpoGw"><div class="yJoMR"><section id="authors" class="izDYk"><h2 class="DGVSD">Authors<svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></h2><ul class="XBsQU qcmp9 _1PgYZ uvfUZ _0CM3a o0Z_b" style="--gap-sm:0.5rem;--gap-md:0.5rem;--gap-lg:0.5rem;--gap-xlg:0.5rem;--gap-max:0.5rem"><li class="iHbnT X4Y7w mBUmN FbtRo _8UAmi bL2oU"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV undefined _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--blue bx--tag--interactive" id="author-514" href="/people/mike-murphy"><span title="Mike Murphy">Mike Murphy</span></a></li></ul></section><section id="tags" class="izDYk"><h2 class="DGVSD">Topics<svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></h2><ul class="XBsQU qcmp9 _1PgYZ uvfUZ _0CM3a o0Z_b" style="--gap-sm:0.5rem;--gap-md:0.5rem;--gap-lg:0.5rem;--gap-xlg:0.5rem;--gap-max:0.5rem"><li class="iHbnT X4Y7w mBUmN FbtRo _8UAmi bL2oU"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="90" href="/topics/accelerated-discovery"><span title="Accelerated Discovery">Accelerated Discovery</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT X4Y7w mBUmN FbtRo _8UAmi bL2oU"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="5" href="/artificial-intelligence"><span title="AI">AI</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT X4Y7w mBUmN FbtRo _8UAmi bL2oU"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="1" href="/hybrid-cloud"><span title="Hybrid Cloud">Hybrid Cloud</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT X4Y7w mBUmN FbtRo _8UAmi bL2oU"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="7" href="/quantum-computing"><span title="Quantum">Quantum</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT X4Y7w mBUmN FbtRo _8UAmi bL2oU"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="51" href="/semiconductors"><span title="Semiconductors">Semiconductors</span></a></li></ul></section></div><section id="share" class="TLVcm izDYk"><h2 class="DGVSD">Share<svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M16 22L6 12 7.4 10.6 16 19.2 24.6 10.6 26 12z"></path></svg></h2><div class="gSf0j n7jWd"><button type="button" aria-label="Share on Facebook" class="iu7Pg"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32"><path d="M26.67,4H5.33A1.34,1.34,0,0,0,4,5.33V26.67A1.34,1.34,0,0,0,5.33,28H16.82V18.72H13.7V15.09h3.12V12.42c0-3.1,1.89-4.79,4.67-4.79.93,0,1.86,0,2.79.14V11H22.37c-1.51,0-1.8.72-1.8,1.77v2.31h3.6l-.47,3.63H20.57V28h6.1A1.34,1.34,0,0,0,28,26.67V5.33A1.34,1.34,0,0,0,26.67,4Z"></path></svg></button><button type="button" aria-label="Share on X" class="iu7Pg"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1200 1226.37" height="32" width="32" style="padding:4px" fill="currentColor"><path style="stroke-width:0" d="m714.16,519.28L1160.89,0h-105.86l-387.89,450.89L357.33,0H0l468.49,681.82L0,1226.37h105.87l409.63-476.15,327.18,476.15h357.33l-485.86-707.09h.03Zm-145,168.54l-47.47-67.89L144.01,79.69h162.6l304.8,435.99,47.47,67.89,396.2,566.72h-162.6l-323.31-462.45v-.03Z"></path></svg></button><button type="button" aria-label="Share on LinkedIn" class="iu7Pg"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" aria-hidden="true" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32"><path d="M26.2,4H5.8C4.8,4,4,4.8,4,5.7v20.5c0,0.9,0.8,1.7,1.8,1.7h20.4c1,0,1.8-0.8,1.8-1.7V5.7C28,4.8,27.2,4,26.2,4z M11.1,24.4 H7.6V13h3.5V24.4z M9.4,11.4c-1.1,0-2.1-0.9-2.1-2.1c0-1.2,0.9-2.1,2.1-2.1c1.1,0,2.1,0.9,2.1,2.1S10.5,11.4,9.4,11.4z M24.5,24.3 H21v-5.6c0-1.3,0-3.1-1.9-3.1c-1.9,0-2.1,1.5-2.1,2.9v5.7h-3.5V13h3.3v1.5h0.1c0.5-0.9,1.7-1.9,3.4-1.9c3.6,0,4.3,2.4,4.3,5.5V24.3z"></path></svg></button></div></section></div></div></div></div><footer><div class="Hw_u8 YqPtO"><div class="_3dg1Y"><div class="ABazV"><article class="px54D dQjMV"><h2 class="aIhdd"><a class="QEnIV" href="/blog/the-short-nov-26"><span class="yYIUz">Accelerating discoveries with new AI tools, powerful chips — and turkey</span><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" class="Hubs8"><path d="M18 6L16.57 7.393 24.15 15 4 15 4 17 24.15 17 16.57 24.573 18 26 28 16 18 6z"></path></svg></a></h2><div class="_1wKk7"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover"/><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5 + 21rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 0.5 + 9rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=16&q=75 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=32&q=75 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=48&q=75 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=64&q=75 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=96&q=75 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=128&q=75 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div><div class="_5Cpod _6qhNt"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M12,21H4V4H22v8h2V4a2,2,0,0,0-2-2H4A2,2,0,0,0,2,4V21a2,2,0,0,0,2,2h8Z"></path><path d="M30,28.58l-3.11-3.11a6,6,0,1,0-1.42,1.42L28.58,30ZM22,26a4,4,0,1,1,4-4A4,4,0,0,1,22,26Z"></path></svg>Explainer</div><div class="fmKT7"><div class=""><div class="hr37V">Mike Murphy, Peter Hess, and Kim Martineau</div><div><time dateTime="2024-11-26T13:00:00.000Z">26 Nov 2024</time></div></div></div><ul class="XBsQU tIdYx H_THJ pFSjT _2bQNq sOAT8" style="--gap-sm:0.5rem;--gap-md:0.5rem;--gap-lg:0.5rem;--gap-xlg:0.5rem;--gap-max:0.5rem"><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3925--tag-5" href="/artificial-intelligence"><span title="AI">AI</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3925--tag-8" href="/topics/ai-hardware"><span title="AI Hardware">AI Hardware</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3925--tag-36" href="/topics/exploratory-science"><span title="Exploratory Science">Exploratory Science</span></a></li></ul></article><article class="px54D dQjMV"><h2 class="aIhdd"><a class="QEnIV" href="/blog/patcid-tool-for-accelerating-materials-discovery"><span class="yYIUz">A new tool for accelerating the discovery of new materials</span><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" class="Hubs8"><path d="M18 6L16.57 7.393 24.15 15 4 15 4 17 24.15 17 16.57 24.573 18 26 28 16 18 6z"></path></svg></a></h2><div class="_1wKk7"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img alt="On the left is an unlabeled molecular structure diagram. On the right is a stack of three patent documents, and the top one has several molecular structures, including the one shown on the left. That one is highlighted in green." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover"/><noscript><img alt="On the left is an unlabeled molecular structure diagram. On the right is a stack of three patent documents, and the top one has several molecular structures, including the one shown on the left. That one is highlighted in green." loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5 + 21rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 0.5 + 9rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=16&q=85 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=32&q=85 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=48&q=85 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=64&q=85 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=96&q=85 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=128&q=85 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=256&q=85 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=384&q=85 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=640&q=85 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=750&q=85 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=828&q=85 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=1080&q=85 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=1200&q=85 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=1920&q=85 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=2048&q=85 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=3840&q=85 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FAutomated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png&w=3840&q=85"/></noscript></span></div><div class="_5Cpod _6qhNt"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M22 24H18V22h4V18h2v4A2.0021 2.0021 0 0122 24zM10 14H8V10a2.0022 2.0022 0 012-2h4v2H10z"></path><path d="M28,8H24V4a2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0-2-2H4A2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,2,4V22a2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,2,2H8v4a2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,2,2H28a2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,2-2V10A2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,28,8Zm0,20H10V24h4V22H10V18H8v4H4V4H22V8H18v2h4v4h2V10h4Z"></path></svg>Research</div><div class="fmKT7"><div class=""><div class="hr37V">Peter Hess</div><div><time dateTime="2024-11-20T12:30:00.000Z">20 Nov 2024</time></div></div></div><ul class="XBsQU tIdYx H_THJ pFSjT _2bQNq sOAT8" style="--gap-sm:0.5rem;--gap-md:0.5rem;--gap-lg:0.5rem;--gap-xlg:0.5rem;--gap-max:0.5rem"><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3921--tag-90" href="/topics/accelerated-discovery"><span title="Accelerated Discovery">Accelerated Discovery</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3921--tag-5" href="/artificial-intelligence"><span title="AI">AI</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3921--tag-78" href="/topics/materials-discovery"><span title="Materials Discovery">Materials Discovery</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3921--tag-6" href="/topics/science"><span title="Science">Science</span></a></li></ul></article><article class="px54D dQjMV"><h2 class="aIhdd"><a class="QEnIV" href="/blog/Granite-adapter-experiments"><span class="yYIUz">IBM Granite has new experimental features for developers to test</span><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" class="Hubs8"><path d="M18 6L16.57 7.393 24.15 15 4 15 4 17 24.15 17 16.57 24.573 18 26 28 16 18 6z"></path></svg></a></h2><div class="_1wKk7"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover"/><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5 + 21rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 0.5 + 9rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=16&q=85 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=32&q=85 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=48&q=85 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=64&q=85 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=96&q=85 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=128&q=85 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=256&q=85 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=384&q=85 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=640&q=85 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=750&q=85 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=828&q=85 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=1080&q=85 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=1200&q=85 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=1920&q=85 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=2048&q=85 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=3840&q=85 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2FGranite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png&w=3840&q=85"/></noscript></span></div><div class="_5Cpod _6qhNt"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M19 10H26V12H19zM19 15H26V17H19zM19 20H26V22H19z"></path><path d="M28,5H4A2.002,2.002,0,0,0,2,7V25a2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,2,2H28a2.0027,2.0027,0,0,0,2-2V7A2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,28,5ZM4,7H15V25H4ZM17,25V7H28l.002,18Z"></path></svg>News</div><div class="fmKT7"><div class=""><div class="hr37V">Kim Martineau</div><div><time dateTime="2024-11-19T17:30:00.000Z">19 Nov 2024</time></div></div></div><ul class="XBsQU tIdYx H_THJ pFSjT _2bQNq sOAT8" style="--gap-sm:0.5rem;--gap-md:0.5rem;--gap-lg:0.5rem;--gap-xlg:0.5rem;--gap-max:0.5rem"><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3923--tag-5" href="/artificial-intelligence"><span title="AI">AI</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3923--tag-167" href="/topics/foundation-models"><span title="Foundation Models">Foundation Models</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3923--tag-25" href="/topics/natural-language-processing"><span title="Natural Language Processing">Natural Language Processing</span></a></li></ul></article><article class="px54D dQjMV"><h2 class="aIhdd"><a class="QEnIV" href="/blog/ibm-the-short-nov-19"><span class="yYIUz">The path to more powerful — and efficient — AI systems</span><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="32" height="32" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" class="Hubs8"><path d="M18 6L16.57 7.393 24.15 15 4 15 4 17 24.15 17 16.57 24.573 18 26 28 16 18 6z"></path></svg></a></h2><div class="_1wKk7"><span style="box-sizing:border-box;display:block;overflow:hidden;width:initial;height:initial;background:none;opacity:1;border:0;margin:0;padding:0;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0"><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover"/><noscript><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 99rem) calc((99rem - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 82rem) calc((100vw - 50rem) * 0.25 + 9rem), (min-width: 66rem) calc((100vw - 49rem) * 0.5 + 21rem), (min-width: 42rem) calc((100vw - 27rem) * 0.5 + 9rem), calc((100vw - 5rem) * 1 + 3rem)" srcSet="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=16&q=75 16w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=32&q=75 32w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=48&q=75 48w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=64&q=75 64w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=96&q=75 96w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=128&q=75 128w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=256&q=75 256w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=384&q=75 384w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=640&q=75 640w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=750&q=75 750w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=828&q=75 828w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=1080&q=75 1080w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=1200&q=75 1200w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=1920&q=75 1920w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=2048&q=75 2048w, https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=3840&q=75 3840w" src="https://research.ibm.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fresearch-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud%2Fthe_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg&w=3840&q=75"/></noscript></span></div><div class="_5Cpod _6qhNt"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true"><path d="M19 10H26V12H19zM19 15H26V17H19zM19 20H26V22H19z"></path><path d="M28,5H4A2.002,2.002,0,0,0,2,7V25a2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,2,2H28a2.0027,2.0027,0,0,0,2-2V7A2.0023,2.0023,0,0,0,28,5ZM4,7H15V25H4ZM17,25V7H28l.002,18Z"></path></svg>News</div><div class="fmKT7"><div class=""><div class="hr37V">Mike Murphy</div><div><time dateTime="2024-11-19T12:00:00.000Z">19 Nov 2024</time></div></div></div><ul class="XBsQU tIdYx H_THJ pFSjT _2bQNq sOAT8" style="--gap-sm:0.5rem;--gap-md:0.5rem;--gap-lg:0.5rem;--gap-xlg:0.5rem;--gap-max:0.5rem"><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3922--tag-5" href="/artificial-intelligence"><span title="AI">AI</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3922--tag-8" href="/topics/ai-hardware"><span title="AI Hardware">AI Hardware</span></a></li><li class="iHbnT vRTEX l8Im1 er023 EOn_C MtRtY"><a class="bx--tag ZvHdV sCEvD _7_FxK _9ckLP bx--tag--green bx--tag--interactive" id="post-3922--tag-7" href="/quantum-computing"><span title="Quantum">Quantum</span></a></li></ul></article></div></div></div></footer></article></main><footer data-autoid="dds--footer" class="bx--footer"><section class="bx--footer__main"><div class="bx--footer__main-container"><div data-autoid="dds--footer-logo" class="bx--footer-logo"><a data-autoid="dds--footer-logo__link" class="bx--footer-logo__link" href="https://www.ibm.com/"><svg width="157" height="65" class="bx--footer-logo__logo" viewBox="0 0 157 65" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><title>IBM Logo</title><path d="M30.444 60.208v4.03H0v-4.03h30.444zm78.291-.001v4.03H86.983v-4.03h21.752zm47.858 0v4.03H134.84v-4.03h21.753zm-33.416 0l-1.398 4.03-1.38-4.03h2.778zm-88.384 0h42.775c-2.797 2.426-6.39 3.925-10.327 4.025l-.423.006H34.793v-4.03h42.775zm-4.35-8.46v4.03H0v-4.03h30.444zm52.402 0c-.332 1.248-.8 2.44-1.389 3.555l-.259.474H34.793v-4.029h48.052zm73.748-.005v4.031H134.84v-4.03h21.753zm-47.858 0v4.031H86.983v-4.03h21.752zm17.375 0l-1.398 4.031h-5.85l-1.395-4.03h8.643zM21.745 43.285v4.03H8.698v-4.03h13.047zm61.195 0a17.32 17.32 0 0 1 .476 3.51l.008.52H68.796v-4.03H82.94zm-26.401 0v4.03H43.491v-4.03H56.54zm72.502-.007l-1.396 4.03H115.93l-1.397-4.03h14.507zm18.85 0v4.03h-13.05v-4.03h13.05zm-39.156 0v4.03H95.684v-4.03h13.051zm-86.99-8.454v4.03H8.698v-4.03h13.047zm56.117 0a16.945 16.945 0 0 1 2.926 3.582l.264.447h-37.56v-4.03h34.37zm30.873-.01v4.03H95.684v-4.03h13.051zm39.157 0v4.03H134.84v-4.03h13.052zm-15.919 0l-1.396 4.03h-17.579l-1.396-4.03h20.371zm-50.778-8.452a16.963 16.963 0 0 1-2.82 3.674l-.37.355H43.49v-4.029h37.704zm-59.45 0v4.03H8.698v-4.03h13.047zm126.147-.013v4.031H134.84v-3.839l-1.33 3.839h-11.456l1.373-4.03h24.465zm-27.743 0l1.372 4.031h-11.456l-1.33-3.839v3.84H95.684v-4.032h24.465zm-98.404-8.448v4.03H8.698V17.9h13.047zm61.68 0c0 1.215-.134 2.399-.375 3.542l-.11.487H68.796V17.9h14.628zM56.538 17.9v4.03H43.491V17.9H56.54zm91.352-.015v4.03h-22.954l1.37-4.03h21.584zm-30.624 0l1.372 4.03H95.684v-4.03h21.583zM30.444 9.437v4.03H0v-4.03h30.444zm50.753 0a17.048 17.048 0 0 1 1.498 3.499l.15.531H34.794v-4.03h46.403zm75.396-.018v4.03h-28.776l1.373-4.03h27.403zm-42.207 0l1.372 4.031H86.982V9.42h27.404zM30.444.978v4.03H0V.977h30.444zm36.374 0c3.96 0 7.594 1.415 10.448 3.772l.303.257H34.794V.977h32.024zm89.775-.022v4.031h-25.894l1.372-4.03h24.522zm-45.098 0l1.372 4.03H86.982V.955h24.513z"></path></svg></a></div><nav data-autoid="dds--footer-nav" class="bx--footer-nav"><ul class="bx--accordion bx--footer-nav__container bx--accordion--end"><li class="bx--accordion__item bx--footer-nav-group" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group"><button type="button" aria-expanded="false" class="bx--accordion__heading"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" aria-hidden="true" class="bx--accordion__arrow"><path d="M11 8L6 13 5.3 12.3 9.6 8 5.3 3.7 6 3z"></path></svg><div class="bx--accordion__title">Focus areas</div></button><div class="bx--accordion__content"><h2 class="bx--footer-nav-group__title">Focus areas</h2><ul><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/semiconductors">Semiconductors</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/artificial-intelligence">Artificial Intelligence</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/quantum-computing">Quantum Computing</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/hybrid-cloud">Hybrid Cloud</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="bx--accordion__item bx--footer-nav-group" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group"><button type="button" aria-expanded="false" class="bx--accordion__heading"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" aria-hidden="true" class="bx--accordion__arrow"><path d="M11 8L6 13 5.3 12.3 9.6 8 5.3 3.7 6 3z"></path></svg><div class="bx--accordion__title">Quick links</div></button><div class="bx--accordion__content"><h2 class="bx--footer-nav-group__title">Quick links</h2><ul><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/about">About</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/publications">Publications</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/blog">Blog</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/events">Events</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="bx--accordion__item bx--footer-nav-group" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group"><button type="button" aria-expanded="false" class="bx--accordion__heading"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" aria-hidden="true" class="bx--accordion__arrow"><path d="M11 8L6 13 5.3 12.3 9.6 8 5.3 3.7 6 3z"></path></svg><div class="bx--accordion__title">Work with us</div></button><div class="bx--accordion__content"><h2 class="bx--footer-nav-group__title">Work with us</h2><ul><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="https://www.ibm.com/careers/us-en/teams/research/">Careers</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/collaborate">Collaborate</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/contact">Contact Research</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="bx--accordion__item bx--footer-nav-group" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group"><button type="button" aria-expanded="false" class="bx--accordion__heading"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" aria-hidden="true" class="bx--accordion__arrow"><path d="M11 8L6 13 5.3 12.3 9.6 8 5.3 3.7 6 3z"></path></svg><div class="bx--accordion__title">Directories</div></button><div class="bx--accordion__content"><h2 class="bx--footer-nav-group__title">Directories</h2><ul><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/topics">Topics</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/people">People</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="/projects">Projects</a></li></ul></div></li><li class="bx--accordion__item bx--footer-nav-group" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group"><button type="button" aria-expanded="false" class="bx--accordion__heading"><svg focusable="false" preserveAspectRatio="xMidYMid meet" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="currentColor" width="16" height="16" viewBox="0 0 16 16" aria-hidden="true" class="bx--accordion__arrow"><path d="M11 8L6 13 5.3 12.3 9.6 8 5.3 3.7 6 3z"></path></svg><div class="bx--accordion__title">Follow us</div></button><div class="bx--accordion__content"><h2 class="bx--footer-nav-group__title">Follow us</h2><ul><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="https://www.ibm.com/account/reg/us-en/signup?formid=news-urx-53237">Newsletter</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="https://twitter.com/ibmresearch">X</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ibm-research/">LinkedIn</a></li><li class="bx--footer-nav-group__item"><a class="bx--link bx--footer-nav-group__link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-nav-group__link" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/IBMLabs">YouTube</a></li></ul></div></li></ul></nav></div></section><aside data-autoid="dds--footer-legal-nav" class="bx--legal-nav__container"><nav class="bx--legal-nav"><div class="bx--legal-nav__list "><ul class="bx--legal-nav__holder"><li class="bx--legal-nav__list-item"><a href="https://www.ibm.com/contact/us/en/?lnk=flg-cont-usen" class="bx--link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-legal-nav__link-null">Contact IBM</a></li><li class="bx--legal-nav__list-item"><a href="https://www.ibm.com/privacy/us/en/?lnk=flg-priv-usen" class="bx--link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-legal-nav__link-null">Privacy</a></li><li class="bx--legal-nav__list-item"><a href="https://www.ibm.com/us-en/legal?lnk=flg-tous-usen" class="bx--link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-legal-nav__link-null">Terms of use</a></li><li class="bx--legal-nav__list-item"><a href="https://www.ibm.com/accessibility/us/en/?lnk=flg-acce-usen" class="bx--link bx--footer__link" data-autoid="dds--footer-legal-nav__link-null">Accessibility</a></li><li class="bx--legal-nav__list-item" data-autoid="dds--privacy-cp"></li></ul></div></nav></aside></footer></div><script id="__NEXT_DATA__" type="application/json">{"props":{"pageProps":{"initialApolloState":{"UploadFile:5336":{"__typename":"UploadFile","id":"5336","alternativeText":null,"url":"https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/thinklab_youtube_still_b2305f675f.png","width":1920,"height":1080,"caption":null},"ComponentVideoYoutubeVideo:433":{"__typename":"ComponentVideoYoutubeVideo","id":"433","video_id":"0kIhFdRPIlw","caption":"Watch: A lab for the future of computing","loop":false,"start":null},"UploadFile:5333":{"__typename":"UploadFile","alternativeText":null,"height":1080,"id":"5333","url":"https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/thinklab_youtube_still_c4d50e9a89.png","width":1920},"ComponentSharedSeo:1728":{"__typename":"ComponentSharedSeo","canonicalURL":null,"metaDescription":"The new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing.","id":"1728","metaImage":{"__ref":"UploadFile:5333"},"metaRobots":null,"metaSocial":[],"metaTitle":"Introducing the Think Lab at IBM Research Yorktown"},"BlogCta:2":{"__typename":"BlogCta","id":"2","text":"Subscribe to our Future Forward newsletter and stay up to date on the latest research news","url":"https://www.ibm.com/account/reg/us-en/signup?formid=news-urx-53237","button_text":"Subscribe to our newsletter"},"Tag:5":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"5","name":"AI","topic":{"__typename":"FocusArea","slug":"artificial-intelligence"}},"Tag:7":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"7","name":"Quantum","topic":{"__typename":"FocusArea","slug":"quantum-computing"}},"Tag:51":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"51","name":"Semiconductors","topic":{"__typename":"FocusArea","slug":"semiconductors"}},"Tag:1":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"1","name":"Hybrid Cloud","topic":{"__typename":"FocusArea","slug":"hybrid-cloud"}},"Tag:90":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"90","name":"Accelerated Discovery","topic":{"__typename":"Team","slug":"accelerated-discovery"}},"BlogAuthor:514":{"__typename":"BlogAuthor","id":"514","name":"Mike Murphy","is_ibm":true,"ibmer":{"__typename":"IbmerValue","node":{"__typename":"Ibmer","slug":"mike-murphy"}},"slug":"mike-murphy"},"BlogCategory:41":{"__typename":"BlogCategory","id":"41","name":"Deep Dive","slug":"deep-dives"},"BlogPost:3718":{"__typename":"BlogPost","id":"3718","title":"How IBM Research built a lab for the future of computing","slug":"think-lab-ibm-research-yorktown","read_duration":null,"publish_at":"2024-08-29T04:00:00.000Z","cover_background":"BLACK","updatedAt":"2024-08-29T14:13:19.387Z","cover_image":{"__ref":"UploadFile:5336"},"cover_image_reduced_motion":{"__ref":"UploadFile:5336"},"cover_video":{"__ref":"ComponentVideoYoutubeVideo:433"},"cover_show_at_top":false,"cover_show_caption":true,"cover_is_full_width":false,"cover_video_self_hosted":null,"lead_paragraph":"In a lab an hour north of New York sits the most advanced quantum computer in the world, and a cluster of revolutionary prototype AI chips. This new lab is the physical manifestation of the convergence of computing platforms that IBM Research sees as the future of computing. Here’s why we did it.","summary":"","content":"For almost the entirety of the Computer Age, the world has focused on making classical computer structures smaller, faster, and more efficient. At its simplest, the concept of how today’s most powerful supercomputer can run computations in the blink of an eye isn’t much different than how the first computers ran all those decades ago. Albeit on a far more modest scale.\n\nIn recent years, however, new ways of thinking have started to emerge. Quantum computing has moved from theoretical discussions to massive machines that are on the cusp of answering some of the world’s toughest questions. AI can generate fantastical content and make pressing business decisions simpler, at scales previously impossible. And new ways of connecting and running classical supercomputers has put an imperceptibly massive amount of compute power at the hands of just about anyone who needs it. \n\nEach of these computing paradigms — grounded in bits, neurons, and qubits — are groundbreaking on their own. But when they’re used to complement each other, the results will be even more transformative. It’s the concept of [accelerated discovery](https://research.ibm.com/blog/future-of-ibm-innovation) that IBM Research has been exploring in recent years. There’s a belief here that it’s how we’ll usher in the next era of computing. \n\n:::image-gallery{layout=full-width}\n![image of an industrial space with several people milling about or sitting at tables](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/think_lab_wide_c3ed9aed35.jpg \"The Think Lab at IBM Research's headquarters in Yorktown Heights, N.Y.\")\n:::\n\nIt’s why IBM spent the better part of 2023 building a new lab within the Yorktown Heights, New York headquarters of IBM Research. Its goal: to bring together the latest in quantum computing, AI processing, and hybrid cloud technologies. The new space is meant to be the physical manifestation of what’s next in computing. It’s a working lab, where scientists from different domains can work together to shape new ideas and partnerships that likely wouldn’t have occurred by working alone in their own spaces. \n\n## Bringing the platforms together\n\nThere will be many new types of computations where having machines close together will be useful. Just from a practical perspective, being able to troubleshoot work on multiple systems in real time could make it easier for researchers to figure out how best to optimize their algorithms for the hardware they’re working on. Similarly, trying to figure out how to optimize multi-cloud structures is a lot easier when everything you’re working on is right next to each other. But there’s also the issue of latency, according to Zaira Nazario, director of Science and Technology in the Office of the Director of IBM Research. \n\n\n![YKT_Quantum_Shot_01(1).jpg](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/YKT_Quantum_Shot_01_1_773292029a.jpg\n\"The IBM Quantum System Two installed in the lab. It's meant to be modular, and there's space for a second system to be installed as needs grow.\")\n\nMany quantum computations don’t need classical computers next to them to carry out their tasks — that can happen through the cloud. \"There are some, however, where you need them very close to each other, because you need to be able to run things in a matter of hundreds of nanoseconds or microseconds,\" Nazario said. \"The time scale and the classical computing requirements that need to be brought to quantum computing depend on the problem at hand, the needs of different types of developers, and the level of abstraction at which you’re working.\"\n\n\"Those are the ones that we would like to discover — the bits, qubits, and neurons story — and for those, co-location of the systems becomes important,\" she said.\n\nThe space also serves to highlight how the nature of computing itself is changing. In the past, supercomputers and datacenters have primarily consisted of endless rows of server blades. Today, we’re starting to see new chips and processors enter the fray, from GPUs and [AI accelerators](https://research.ibm.com/blog/spyre-for-z) for handling the burgeoning AI workloads the world is using, and [chiplets](https://research.ibm.com/blog/what-are-computer-chiplets) to tackle how we move beyond Moore’s Law. We’re seeing datacenter owners and national labs reconsider what high-performance computing (HPC) systems look like with the AI explosion — but this is just the start. \n\n![10_Think Lab Theater.jpg](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/10_Think_Lab_Theater_8d1930565d.jpg \"The new theater in the Think Lab, designed as a space to showcase the latest innovations to visitors, researchers, and other IBMers.\")\n\n## The datacenter of tomorrow\n \n\"What do data centers that support these big missions start to look like in the future? These facilities will have the three types of systems in order to support users,” Nazario said. And these systems won’t always be interconnected, either — if you’re a large facility supporting many users, some will likely only be interested in access to quantum systems, some will want to run traditional HPC or AI workloads — and some will be after some combination of all three. \n\n![Think Lab Quantum System One.png](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/Think_Lab_Quantum_System_One_b4f8825a5c.png \"Researchers working near the Quantum System One installed in the lab.\")\n\nIn the Think Lab, the team set out to build a space that could accommodate the modular new [IBM Quantum System Two,](https://www.ibm.com/quantum/blog/quantum-roadmap-2033) along with a cluster of IBM’s prototype [AIU chips,](https://research.ibm.com/blog/ai-hardware-forum-2023) and even future Z systems. The space isn’t meant to look the same forever, but rather adapt to the needs of researchers and those who visit the lab, according to IBM Research Creative Director Mark Podlaseck. Tables and chairs can be wheeled away or pulled over to sketch something out, the AIU computing cluster is extensible, and there’s even room for an entire second System Two to be installed if need be — even that system was installed under the expectation that it could be modified or expanded. \n\nIt’s a vision that could be replicated at any institution that would see value in adopting these new forms of computation. “You could be a national lab, or a pharmaceutical company that has a large research division, and you would need different types of systems to support the simulations that you need to do to discover drugs, and you want that to be modular so that it grows with user need,” Nazario said. “We also wanted to be modular so that is easier to upgrade as advances come in.” \n\n:::image-gallery{layout=full-width}\n![YKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures.jpg](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/YKT_AI_Shot_01_0071_Figures_26733667cd.jpg\n\"The AIU cluster, with engineers working on updating server blades installed inside. Work can carry on in the rest of the lab without disruption.\")\n:::\n\nThe lab even has space to adapt beyond the systems that are in there now. The AIU cluster that’s been installed is working on real workloads for IBM right now, including hate, abuse, and profanity (or HAP) filtering for [watsonx AI models](https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-ai/foundation-models), using less energy to do so than many similar AI computing systems would. The cluster is set up on standard PCIe cards, meaning new versions can be easily installed. And for all the systems installed today, they’re meant to be easily worked on, Podlaseck said. The lab does not need to be shut down to do maintenance on the Quantum System Two, or the AIU cluster. \n\nThe AIU, [first unveiled](https://research.ibm.com/blog/ibm-artificial-intelligence-unit-aiu) in 2022, is a prototype chip design where computation and memory are tightly intertwined on the chip to reduce the latency in for deep learning and AI computations. It came out of the research that went into the [Telum](https://research.ibm.com/blog/research-powering-ibmz16)CPU first built for IBM’s z16 in 2021. \n\n![IBM_AIU_Node_08.jpg](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/IBM_AIU_Node_08_aa1ee2b81e.jpg \"IBM Researcher JohnDavid Lancaster working on one of the AIU nodes in the Think Lab.\")\n\nAs AI gets embedded into ever more business processes, the team is working to take the insights from deploying Telum and the AIU for the next generation of Z systems, which will have a home at the Think Lab in the future. This includes the recently announced [Spyre AI Accelerator](https://research.ibm.com/blog/spyre-for-z).\n\nThe new lab is much about building the platforms for researchers to create what’s next in computing as it is redefining the notion of what a datacenter looks like in the future. It’s a combination of some of the most cutting-edge technology in the world, and a space that’s meant to honor IBM’s design history, including that of the building it’s in. \n\n## Informed by the past to design the future\n\nThe IBM Research headquarters was designed by the storied architect Eero Saarinen and is filled with furniture designed by Ray and Charles Eames. Podlaseck said in designing the new lab, they wanted to “embrace as much as possible the infrastructure of the old building, its rawness and honesty.” \n\n![Think_Lab_06A_2.jpg](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/Think_Lab_06_A_2_bd575485f1.jpg \"Installed on the fieldstone Saarinen first laid for the entrance to the Yorktown lab now sits renderings of chips for a neuromorphic computer, a quantum computer, and an AI accelerator — all designed by IBM Research, and underlining the vision of bits, neurons, and qubits that will be powering the future of computing.\")\n\nWhen Saarinen was designing the office, he wanted to use the natural beauty in the area as inspiration for the researchers who would work in the office. Some 4,000 tons of local Westchester fieldstone were used inside and out in building the lab, and Saarinen put massive windows along the entire perimeter of the lab, to allow researchers constant refreshing nature breaks between their intensive work sessions. At the same time, he designed libraries, a large central cafeteria, and meeting nooks throughout the facility to ensure that people could, perhaps with a little serendipity, come across others who worked on completely different tasks and find new ways to be inspired. That’s something that the new Think lab has tried to maintain within its design. \n\nIt was unclear whether the original concrete from 1961 would be stable enough to host these massive new systems, as any slight fluctuation in stability can throw off the extremely delicate quantum computations happening inside this System Two. Podlaseck said they did countless tests to ensure the space would be able to support everything that was envisioned for it, and in the end, the team was surprised how well the concrete and rock used in Saarinen’s original designs have held up. The IBM Quantum System Two is clad with polished anodized aluminum and surrounded by 70/30 glass, creating the impression that the system exists within an infinity of reflections — and the vast multidimensional spaces that quantum computing operates within. \n\nYou get a similar sense of grandiosity when first walking into the lab today. Although the systems are monolithic and demanding of your gaze, Podlaseck and team have ensured that the space is welcoming — and befitting of the wider lab. The furniture that was added fits the Mid-Century era in which the lab was built. There’s a record player off to the side that was spinning Coltrane when I came to speak to Podlaseck. You can make yourself an espresso, sit and listen to the quantum computer’s rhythmic thrum between meetings. It’s inviting, encouraging folks to drop in and see what’s new, and perhaps make a new connection with a colleague in doing so. As former CEO Thomas Watson Jr. once said, “Good design is good business.” \n\n![Think Lab Lounge area.png](https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/Think_Lab_Lounge_area_aeecf46aba.png \"The lounge area just inside the entrance to the Think Lab is a cozy respite on a cold day.\")\n\nThe lab is as much a testament to how IBM has approached building new technologies over its lifetime as it is a space to answer the latest burning questions in computing. And it will grow and evolve, much like IBM itself has over the decades, as we begin to unlock the answers to some of those questions. \n\n“This is not a static lab — it was built as a lab, not as a showroom,” Nazario said. “As our research evolves, the lab will change.” ","content_is_small_type_size":false,"seo":{"__ref":"ComponentSharedSeo:1728"},"blog_cta":{"__ref":"BlogCta:2"},"tags":[{"__ref":"Tag:5"},{"__ref":"Tag:7"},{"__ref":"Tag:51"},{"__ref":"Tag:1"},{"__ref":"Tag:90"}],"blog_authors":[{"__ref":"BlogAuthor:514"}],"blog_category":{"__ref":"BlogCategory:41"},"interactive_modules":[],"redirect":null},"BlogCategory:8":{"__typename":"BlogCategory","id":"8","name":"Explainer","slug":"explainers"},"UploadFile:5751":{"__typename":"UploadFile","id":"5751","url":"https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/the_short_nov_25_3_49751cd708.jpg","alternativeText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},"Tag:8":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"8","name":"AI Hardware","topic":{"__typename":"Team","slug":"ai-hardware"}},"Tag:36":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"36","name":"Exploratory Science","topic":{"__typename":"TeamCollection","slug":"exploratory-science"}},"BlogAuthor:1744":{"__typename":"BlogAuthor","id":"1744","name":"Peter Hess"},"BlogAuthor:889":{"__typename":"BlogAuthor","id":"889","name":"Kim Martineau"},"BlogPost:3925":{"__typename":"BlogPost","id":"3925","slug":"the-short-nov-26","title":"Accelerating discoveries with new AI tools, powerful chips — and turkey","blog_category":{"__ref":"BlogCategory:8"},"cover_image":{"__ref":"UploadFile:5751"},"publish_at":"2024-11-26T13:00:00.000Z","read_duration":null,"tags":[{"__ref":"Tag:5"},{"__ref":"Tag:8"},{"__ref":"Tag:36"}],"blog_authors":[{"__ref":"BlogAuthor:514"},{"__ref":"BlogAuthor:1744"},{"__ref":"BlogAuthor:889"}]},"BlogCategory:2":{"__typename":"BlogCategory","id":"2","name":"Research","slug":"research"},"UploadFile:5736":{"__typename":"UploadFile","id":"5736","url":"https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/Automated_materials_discovery_f_55d81a2877.png","alternativeText":"On the left is an unlabeled molecular structure diagram. On the right is a stack of three patent documents, and the top one has several molecular structures, including the one shown on the left. That one is highlighted in green.","width":1920,"height":1080},"Tag:78":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"78","name":"Materials Discovery","topic":{"__typename":"Team","slug":"materials-discovery"}},"Tag:6":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"6","name":"Science","topic":{"__typename":"TeamCollection","slug":"science"}},"BlogPost:3921":{"__typename":"BlogPost","id":"3921","slug":"patcid-tool-for-accelerating-materials-discovery","title":"A new tool for accelerating the discovery of new materials","blog_category":{"__ref":"BlogCategory:2"},"cover_image":{"__ref":"UploadFile:5736"},"publish_at":"2024-11-20T12:30:00.000Z","read_duration":null,"tags":[{"__ref":"Tag:5"},{"__ref":"Tag:90"},{"__ref":"Tag:78"},{"__ref":"Tag:6"}],"blog_authors":[{"__ref":"BlogAuthor:1744"}]},"BlogCategory:1":{"__typename":"BlogCategory","id":"1","name":"News","slug":"news"},"UploadFile:5740":{"__typename":"UploadFile","id":"5740","url":"https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/Granite_Keynote_cover_4_2x_7dcae38026.png","alternativeText":null,"width":7680,"height":4320},"Tag:167":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"167","name":"Foundation Models","topic":{"__typename":"Team","slug":"foundation-models"}},"Tag:25":{"__typename":"Tag","id":"25","name":"Natural Language Processing","topic":{"__typename":"Team","slug":"natural-language-processing"}},"BlogPost:3923":{"__typename":"BlogPost","id":"3923","slug":"Granite-adapter-experiments","title":"IBM Granite has new experimental features for developers to test","blog_category":{"__ref":"BlogCategory:1"},"cover_image":{"__ref":"UploadFile:5740"},"publish_at":"2024-11-19T17:30:00.000Z","read_duration":null,"tags":[{"__ref":"Tag:5"},{"__ref":"Tag:167"},{"__ref":"Tag:25"}],"blog_authors":[{"__ref":"BlogAuthor:889"}]},"UploadFile:5737":{"__typename":"UploadFile","id":"5737","url":"https://research-website-prod-cms-uploads.s3.us.cloud-object-storage.appdomain.cloud/the_short_nov_18_ad43c095c0.jpg","alternativeText":null,"width":1920,"height":1080},"BlogPost:3922":{"__typename":"BlogPost","id":"3922","slug":"ibm-the-short-nov-19","title":"The path to more powerful — and efficient — AI systems","blog_category":{"__ref":"BlogCategory:1"},"cover_image":{"__ref":"UploadFile:5737"},"publish_at":"2024-11-19T12:00:00.000Z","read_duration":null,"tags":[{"__ref":"Tag:5"},{"__ref":"Tag:8"},{"__ref":"Tag:7"}],"blog_authors":[{"__ref":"BlogAuthor:514"}]},"ROOT_QUERY":{"__typename":"Query","blogPostBySlug({\"slug\":\"think-lab-ibm-research-yorktown\"})":{"__typename":"BlogPostWithContext","main":{"__ref":"BlogPost:3718"},"related":[{"__ref":"BlogPost:3925"},{"__ref":"BlogPost:3921"},{"__ref":"BlogPost:3923"},{"__ref":"BlogPost:3922"}]}}},"ssrDateString":"2024-12-02T16:26:33.818Z"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/blog/[bid]","query":{"bid":"think-lab-ibm-research-yorktown"},"buildId":"iOcPTflN99LxtqEOvJ5Aj","isFallback":false,"gssp":true,"locale":"en-US","locales":["en-US"],"defaultLocale":"en-US","scriptLoader":[]}</script></body></html>