IBM unveils over $10B bet on quantum computing and AI security

IBM ↘5.05% disclosed plans to invest over $10 billion in quantum computing over five years, targeting a fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029.reuters
The company also launched Project Lightwell with Red Hat, a $5 billion effort deploying 20,000 engineers and AI tools to secure open-source software for enterprises.ibm
IBM shares surged after the announcements, which build on a recently signed deal to create Anderon, America’s first quantum chip foundry backed by federal CHIPS Act funding.aol

IBM Unveils $10 Billion Quantum Computing Push Alongside $5 Billion Open-Source Security Initiative

IBM on Thursday announced plans to invest more than $10 billion in quantum computing over the next five years, targeting what it says would be the first large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computer by 2029. The disclosure, made in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, sent shares climbing as much as 5.3% in morning trading.reuters

The investment will span research and development, capital expenditures, ecosystem partnerships, manufacturing expansion, and mergers and acquisitions tied to quantum technologies, according to the filing.thequantuminsider

A Quantum Foundry Takes Shape

The announcement builds on a deal revealed last week in which IBM and the U.S. Department of Commerce signed a letter of intent to create Anderon, America’s first purpose-built quantum chip foundry. Headquartered in Albany, New York, Anderon will operate as a standalone company running a 300-millimeter quantum wafer fab and offering manufacturing services to competing quantum hardware vendors.tomshardware

Under the terms of that arrangement, the Department of Commerce will provide a proposed $1 billion CHIPS Act R&D award while IBM contributes a matching $1 billion in cash, along with intellectual property, assets, and staff. The federal investment was the centerpiece of a broader $2 billion quantum portfolio split among nine companies — the largest single quantum R&D commitment in U.S. history.ibm

Project Lightwell: $5 Billion for Open-Source Security

Separately on Thursday, IBM and Red Hat announced Project Lightwell, a $5 billion commitment deploying more than 20,000 engineers and advanced AI capabilities to help enterprises secure open-source software. The initiative will establish a “clearinghouse” — a security coordination layer where companies can confidentially report flaws, receive validated patches, and share fixes with the broader open-source community.ibm

The service, available through commercial subscriptions, aims to address growing threats posed by AI models capable of discovering and exploiting software vulnerabilities.freemalaysiatoday

A $15 Billion Strategic Bet

Together, the quantum and open-source announcements represent a combined $15 billion technology push — a sweeping wager on quantum infrastructure and AI-era cybersecurity. IBM has repeatedly stated it expects large-scale fault-tolerant quantum systems to emerge near the end of the decade, and the investment timeline aligns with that roadmap. Citigroup is among the initial collaborators on Project Lightwell.gurufocus