IBM plans to invest over US$10 billion in the next five years to develop the first large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer, aiming for completion by 2029 [1, 2]. The funds will cover research and development, capital expenditures, manufacturing scale-up, partnerships, new facilities, and acquisitions to boost its quantum capabilities [1, 2].
The company has already deployed more than 90 quantum computers worldwide, exceeding the combined total of its competitors [1, 2]. Quantum computers rely on qubits, which can represent both 0 and 1 at the same time, enabling massive parallel processing power that traditional computers cannot match [2].
Current quantum machines are mostly error-prone and used for research. IBM’s goal is to create a reliable, error-correcting quantum computer that can perform practical tasks [2]. To support this, IBM signed a letter of intent with the US Department of Commerce to build Anderon, a dedicated quantum chip factory in the United States. Both IBM and the US government will contribute US$1 billion each to this project [2].
The US government’s support follows the 2022 approval of the CHIPS Act, which enables funding for domestic semiconductor and quantum technology production [2].
Quantum computing has become a global race, with major investments underway in countries like France, Germany, China, the UK, and Canada [2]. US tech giants Google and Microsoft are also competing in quantum research breakthroughs [2]. Consulting firm McKinsey estimates that quantum computing could generate US$2.7 trillion in economic value worldwide by 2035 [2].
IBM said the investment will "spend more than US$10 billion (RM40 billion) over the next five years on quantum computing — a cutting-edge technology that could one day make today’s most powerful computers look slow and limited" [2].
IBM filed its SEC announcement of the investment plans on May 28, 2026, and the quantum chip factory letter of intent followed on May 29, 2026 [1, 2]. The company’s next major milestone will be advancing the Anderon chip factory construction, scheduled under the new public-private funding.
