Economic Development Now

IBM is embarking on a multiyear collaboration with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to develop a diverse quantum computing workforce.

The IBM-HBCU Quantum Center will provide a network of 13 schools with access to IBM quantum computers via the cloud, educational support for students learning open source software development, and funding for undergraduate and graduate research. Schools participating in the program include Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Morehouse College, and Texas Southern University.

In addition, IBM will be donating $100 million in technology and resources, including guest lectures, curriculum content, digital badges, software, and faculty training, to a separate cohort of HBCUs.

"We believe that in order to expand opportunity for diverse populations, we need a diverse talent pipeline of the next generation of tech leaders from HBCUs," said Carla Grant Pickens, IBM's chief global diversity and inclusion officer. "Diversity and inclusion is what fuels innovation, and students from HBCUs will be positioned to play a significant part of what will drive innovations for the future like quantum computing, cloud, and artificial intelligence." (Philanthropy News Digest)

Currently only 5 percent of working scientists and engineers are Black. HBCUs educate 27 percent of Black graduates with STEM degrees and nearly 30 percent of Black graduates of science and engineering doctorate programs.

Quantum computing is an innovation driver that could create breakthroughs in science, medicine, and machine learning. The quantum computing market was valued at $507.1 million in 2019 and is projected to grow to nearly $65 billion by 2030 (GlobeNewswire).