IBM is joining the ranks of companies promising major investments in the USA over the coming years. 150 billion US dollars are to be invested over the next five years, i.e. by 2030.
IBM is not currently commenting on the purpose of the majority of the investment. The announcement merely states that more than 30 billion dollars will flow into the research and development of mainframe systems and quantum computers. Spread over five years, this corresponds to at least 6 billion dollars per year.
IBM already spent almost 7.5 billion dollars on research, development and engineering (RD&E) in 2024. In 2023, it was just under 6.8 billion dollars. The company writes: “These costs are predominantly research and development costs related to scientific research and the application of scientific knowledge to the development of new and improved products and their use, and to services and their application.”
IBM has offices around the world. The Thomas J. Watson Research Center and two other research facilities are located in the USA. Most RD&E costs are therefore likely to be incurred in the USA. Further investment seems logical, especially in quantum computers, should they approach commercially viable practical use in the next few years.
Pandering to the government
Other tech giants have already attracted attention with big numbers in order to win the favor of the US government. Apple promised US investments of 500 billion dollars over the next four years. However, this also includes normal operating expenses, such as the production of chips in TSMC’s new Arizona semiconductor plant. Other investments, however, including a new production facility, had been planned for some time.
Nvidia plans to have AI servers with a sales value of 500 billion dollars manufactured in the USA over the next four years. To this end, partners Foxconn and Wistron announced new US plants as early as 2024. US President Donald Trump misunderstood the announcement and meanwhile spoke of investments amounting to 500 billion dollars.
(mma)
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This article was originally published in
German.
It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.