IBM Teams Up with Marist University for AI Research Incubator

IBM has partnered with Marist University in New York to establish an Innovation Incubator. The initiative involves deploying an IBM z17 mainframe, a powerful server designed for artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

The z17 features an on-chip AI accelerator and a 32-core IBM Spyre accelerator, allowing it to process 50% more AI inference operations per day than its predecessor, the z16. This technology will support research projects across multiple faculties at Marist University, focusing initially on AI use cases in marketing, business, financial management, and civic engagement.

The partnership aims to address societal, business, and community challenges through collaborative research between university students and researchers with IBM subject matter experts. The first z17 mainframe was unveiled in April 2022, after five years of development. This marks a significant step forward for Marist University's academic programs and its commitment to applied learning experiences.

IBM has long-standing relationships with many academic institutions, including Marist University. By combining IBM's technological expertise with the university's dedication to innovation and student success, they are creating new pathways for research, learning, and workforce development that prepare students for future careers in AI and related fields.