IBM and ETH Zurich announced on March 31 a decade-long partnership to develop new algorithms at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing. The collaboration aims to advance algorithmic foundations needed for emerging technologies in science, industry, and society.
The initiative is significant as it seeks to address complex challenges by creating hybrid algorithmic approaches that combine classical, AI-driven, and quantum computation. These advancements could help unlock practical value from current quantum hardware and redefine problem-solving methods across multiple sectors.
As part of the agreement, IBM will support professorships and research projects at ETH Zurich. The research will focus on optimization problems, differential equations, linear algebra simulations, and complex system modeling—areas considered crucial for progress in both AI and quantum computing.
Alessandro Curioni, IBM Fellow and Vice President of Algorithms and Applications at IBM Research said: “Algorithms have always been the true drivers of computing revolutions and are at the core of our history at IBM Research. I strongly believe that the future of computing will be written not only in hardware or software, but in the algorithms that connect the two. As AI and quantum computing converge, we are witnessing the dawn of a new algorithmic era —and shaping this future requires both industry and academic scientific depth. IBM and ETH Zurich have a long and distinguished history of working together at the frontiers of science and technology. With this agreement, we are committing to inventing the algorithmic foundations of the future.”
Prof. Dr. Joël Mesot, President of ETH Zurich said: “ETH Zurich and IBM share a longstanding commitment to excellence in research, and our focus in developing pioneering technologies is anchored in long-term societal benefits. The partnership with IBM reflects our ambition to co-create groundbreaking technology and to empower the next generation of AI and quantum computing experts.”
Both organizations have established legacies within their fields; IBM has contributed major breakthroughs such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithms as well as advances like Deep Blue artificial intelligence systems while ETH Zurich counts numerous Nobel laureates among its alumni along with influential contributions to mathematics, physics, computer science theory—and programming languages still used today.
