RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK – IBM says it will invest $2 billion in artificial intelligence and other projects across New York state. And the tech giant will receive additional funding support from state as well as other public sector entities.

The expansion was announced Thursday.

“AI will transform the world in dramatic ways in the coming years. IBM is pushing the boundaries of AI faster – for the benefit of industry and society,” said Mukesh Khare, Vice President for Semiconductor and AI Hardware at IBM Research. “By expanding our partnership with New York State, we are creating a global hub of AI hardware research with an ecosystem to innovate, incubate, and lead in the development of disruptive technologies.”

Key to the expansion is an “AI Hardware Center” that will be established at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute campus in Albany.

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IBM says it will invest “at least $30 million” in cash and in-kind contributions as part of the AI program with SUNY offering as much as $25 million in matching funds.

New York’s Empire State Development is providing a $300 million grant over five years to the Research Foundation of SUNY for the purchase and installation of “tools” for the center, IBM said.

“New York has always been at the forefront of emerging industries, and this private sector investment to create a hub for artificial intelligence research will attract world-class minds and drive economic growth in the region,” Governor Cuomo said. “Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform how we live and how businesses operate, and this partnership with IBM will help ensure New York continues to be on the cutting edge developing innovative technologies.”

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IBM also said it would “expand and extend” a partnership with the SUNY Poly for the Center for Semiconductor Research that was to expire in 2021.

Last year, IBM and North Carolina State University teamed up for a quantum computing research center.

IBM also conducts a good deal of Watson artificial intelligence work at its campus in RTP.

Read the full details of Thursday’s announcement online.