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CMU, NUS, and IBM partner to harness AI and quantum for real-world research in Thailand

Nurdianah Md Nur
Nurdianah Md Nur • 3 min read
CMU, NUS, and IBM partner to harness AI and quantum for real-world research in Thailand
The alliance will equip Thai researchers with cutting-edge tools to empower researchers to address climate, agriculture, and public health challenges using technology. Photo: Pexels
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Thailand’s Chiang Mai University (CMU) has signed multiple memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with IBM and the National University of Singapore (NUS) to deepen research collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

Under the first agreement, CMU will participate in the IBM–NUS Research and Innovation Centre to establish an AI-centric compute infrastructure. It will leverage prototype IBM Spyre Accelerators to enable the efficient tuning and inferencing of fine-tuned models.

The move aims to make AI more accessible and affordable in Thailand, with plans to develop AI-powered geospatial models to tackle natural disasters, air pollution (PM2.5), and flooding.

In a separate MOU, CMU initiated its membership in the IBM Quantum Network as part of the IBM Quantum Innovation Centre at NUS. This will provide its researchers with cloud access to IBM’s quantum computing systems and research resources. The collaboration will also include hands-on training and research programmes in AI and quantum computing to equip the next generation of Thai innovators.

“These plans, as outlined in the MOU,s will not only enable our researchers and students to work with experts and access cutting-edge technologies but also establish a solid foundation for Thailand to become a leader in deep technology within the region. We are committed to producing high-quality research and graduates who can drive the nation forward,” says Professor Pongruk Sribanditmongkol, president of CMU.

Together, these agreements lay the foundation for joint research, co-innovation, and knowledge exchange on AI and quantum technologies. The partnership will explore how integrating AI and quantum capabilities can unlock breakthrough applications, while aligning with Asean priorities such as climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and public health.

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“Working together, we aim to strengthen regional cooperation — including with leading universities in the Asean University Network — and translate cutting-edge research into practical, powerful solutions for real-world problems. Sustainability is a key priority for NUS, and a particularly exciting focus of this strategic collaboration will be leveraging foundation models to address challenges from climate change to disaster management. We look forward to working closely with Chiang Mai University and IBM to deliver tangible impact for society and industry across Asean,” says Professor Tan Eng Chye, president of NUS.

Catherine Lian, general manager and technology leader, IBM Asean, adds: By combining world-class research with local talent development, we would be bringing this capability to Thailand through the NUS-CMU partnership, fostering the next breakthroughs in AI-driven and quantum-enabled solutions that would be designed to directly support the region’s competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability.”

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