The third edition of the Cleveland Discovery and Innovation Forum, organized by Cleveland Clinic in collaboration with IBM, showcased advancements in the application of quantum computing and artificial intelligence in healthcare and life sciences research. This event gathered prominent figures from around the world in the fields of healthcare, science, and technology to exchange ideas on how cutting-edge computing technologies are expediting research and influencing future patient care.
Taking place today at Cleveland Clinic’s Main Campus, the forum featured over 30 speakers from diverse sectors, including academia, industry, non-profits, venture capital, and government. The discussions emphasized the significant role of AI and quantum computing in addressing some of the most intricate challenges faced in healthcare and life sciences.
Lara Jehi, M.D., Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Research Information Officer, remarked, “The Cleveland Discovery and Innovation Forum demonstrated how AI and quantum computing are enhancing research at every phase of disease, from prevention and early detection to treatment.” She highlighted Cleveland Clinic’s pioneering efforts in leveraging quantum computing for life sciences, emphasizing that through both this forum and its extensive research initiatives, the institution is helping to delineate how advanced computing can reveal new scientific insights and ultimately enhance patient care on a global scale.
The forum also celebrated five years of the partnership between Cleveland Clinic and IBM through their Discovery Accelerator initiative, which is dedicated to accelerating biomedical research using high-performance computing, AI, and quantum technology. Since its inception, the Discovery Accelerator has facilitated over 50 projects, contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications, and developed a forward-thinking educational curriculum designed to cultivate the skilled workforce essential for future advancements in the field.
Alessandro Curioni, Ph.D., IBM Fellow and Vice President of Algorithms and Applications at IBM Research, commented on the collaboration, stating, “As we celebrate five years of partnership with Cleveland Clinic, we’re witnessing how quantum technology and AI can synergize to revolutionize biomedical research—whether it’s through modeling molecular interactions, enhancing machine learning for tailored care, or expanding the horizons of what’s possible in healthcare and life sciences.”
The agenda featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, and informal conversations led by executives from Cleveland Clinic and IBM, alongside global leaders. Notable speakers included Eric Isaacs, Ph.D., from the Research Corporation for Science Advancement; Curtis Priem of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and co-founder of NVIDIA; MIT’s Alex Shalek, University of Oxford’s Sergii Strelchuk, Cleveland Clinic’s Serpil Erzurum, IBM's Alessandro Curioni, and Pfizer’s Percy Carter.
Sessions covered various topics, including the practical applications of quantum computing in establishing a premier research and healthcare framework, exploring the intersection of AI and quantum technology to unlock the potential for personalized therapy, and a discussion on visionary leadership and the use of advanced computational strategies in healthcare.
The forum also showcased projects from Cleveland Clinic and IBM researchers, spotlighting their recent accomplishments in simulating a protein composed of over 12,000 atoms, marking the largest protein structure yet modeled on a quantum computer. These developments highlight the increasing capability of quantum computers as vital scientific instruments in addressing fundamental biological, chemical, and life sciences issues.
Throughout the event, several research updates and announcements were made, underscoring Cleveland Clinic’s ongoing efforts to advance quantum computing applications in medicine while fostering the Ohio Discovery Corridor through its Cleveland Innovation District. Among these was the introduction of the 2026 Global Quantum + AI Challenge, an international competition launched by Quantum Insider and Cleveland Clinic. This year-long initiative aims to close the gap between quantum theory and practical applications, bringing together companies, startups, and research teams to catalyze the use of advanced computing technologies across industries driven by innovation. The specific challenge from Cleveland Clinic is titled “Unlocking Undruggable Targets: Quantum Simulation of Allosteric Signal Propagation,” offering a total prize pool of $200,000 across five enterprise challenges, with each challenge receiving $40,000. Applications for the challenge are currently open at the dedicated portal.
