Darío Gil, senior vice president and director of research at IBM Research, oversees one of the largest corporate research laboratories in the world. Under his leadership, IBM Research drives groundbreaking innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud, quantum computing, and exploratory science. Born in Spain, Gil attended high school at Los Altos High in California before earning his PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is also a distinguished member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Currently serving as chair of the National Science Board (NSB), which supervises the National Science Foundation, Gil holds a unique vantage point from which to assess the state and trajectory of the U.S. scientific enterprise. He is a strong advocate of collaborative research models and currently co-chairs the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab, a partnership focused on advancing fundamental AI research. He also helped establish the International Science Reserve, a global network of open scientific communities designed to provide resources for addressing urgent and complex global challenges. In a recent interview with Issues editor Molly Galvin, Gil shared his insights on the biggest challenges facing scientific research, the increasing geopolitical influence of science and technology, and his vision for reshaping the way research is conducted.
Early Influences and the Spark of Scientific Curiosity
Growing up in Spain within a family deeply rooted in the arts, Gil’s initial interests diverged from his family’s creative pursuits. “I’m the youngest of four brothers, and my family is artistic—my brothers leaned toward architecture and design, and my uncle was a painter,” he explains. “I always had an affinity for math and science, so part of my interest came from finding a path that was uniquely mine.”
Gil’s early curiosity was further nurtured by inspiring teachers and mentors. In Europe, students as young as 14 are required to choose between tracks in science and engineering or liberal arts. Gil embraced this choice as an opportunity to carve his own path, a decision that ultimately set him on the course for a career in research and innovation.
The Role and Vision of the National Science Board
As chair of the NSB, Gil emphasizes two primary responsibilities. First, the board provides oversight and support for the National Science Foundation, ensuring the success and continued impact of one of America’s most vital scientific institutions. Second, the NSB advises both the administration and Congress on policies that strengthen the U.S. research enterprise in science, engineering, and education. “Part of this work involves understanding how the landscape of research and development has changed over the past 75 years and adapting for the future,” Gil notes.
Reflecting on the seminal Science: The Endless Frontier report by Vannevar Bush, which guided U.S. science policy for decades, Gil stresses the need for a new vision. “The model that got us here won’t necessarily take us to where we need to be. Business, government, philanthropy, and universities all play increasingly intertwined roles. Coordinating across these sectors is challenging but essential for achieving ambitious goals.”
The Evolving Roles of Industry and Government
Gil points to a dramatic shift in R&D funding, noting that the business sector now invests approximately $600 billion annually—double the figure from 15 years ago. Despite this growth, federal support remains critical, as does philanthropic investment for high-risk exploratory research. “To achieve great things as a nation, we must learn to work effectively across sectors,” he explains. “Collaboration among government, universities, philanthropy, and industry is no longer optional; it’s necessary.”
Building a Robust STEM Workforce
A key pillar of a strong research enterprise is cultivating talent in STEM fields. Gil highlights the bipartisan consensus around the urgent need to enhance K–12 STEM education. “The U.S. has long been able to attract extraordinary talent, but retaining it remains a challenge. Strengthening domestic STEM education is critical, particularly at the K–12 level.”
Gil advocates for a modernized National Defense Education Act (NDEA 2.0), a federal initiative designed to support state and local educational programs, provide funding for students and teachers, and build infrastructure to nurture scientific talent. He also envisions incentives that encourage cross-sector collaboration, such as partnerships with businesses and ongoing professional development opportunities for STEM professionals.
Addressing concerns about the use of federal and state funds, Gil emphasizes the geopolitical and economic stakes. “Technology is now a form of national power, on par with trade or military alliances. Talent is the most important input for technological leadership, and investing in education ensures that the U.S. maintains global competitiveness while promoting equity and opportunity at home.”
Reimagining How Science is Conducted
Gil argues that the traditional “ivory tower” model of science, where researchers operate in isolation, is no longer sufficient. Greater citizen engagement and cross-sector collaboration are critical. “We need to ask communities what problems they want solved with science and technology,” he explains. “We must rethink how research flows from universities to industry, understanding that linear models rarely reflect reality.”
This philosophy underpins initiatives such as the International Science Reserve, a global network of 15,000 scientists established during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inspired by the success of the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium, the reserve aggregates expertise and resources across sectors to respond to crises and advance scenario planning. “The reserve allows scientists to maintain dual identities—continuing their regular work while contributing to urgent challenges when needed,” Gil notes.
Toward a Global Science Alliance
Looking ahead, Gil advocates for the creation of a NATO-style framework for global science, a cooperative network to manage technology and scientific collaborations while addressing geopolitical concerns. “Science and technology are increasingly the currency of power. We need structures that enable international collaboration while safeguarding sensitive technologies,” he explains.
Gil emphasizes that exploratory science should remain a global endeavor, fostering knowledge advancement worldwide while carefully balancing security and export considerations. “Science and technology are intertwined like a DNA helix,” he says. “We must protect global collaboration while navigating legitimate constraints on technology.”
Priorities for the Future of American Science and Technology
As co-chair of the Vision for American Science and Technology Task Force, Gil advocates for a bipartisan approach to strengthening the U.S. scientific enterprise. He cites recent successes, including the National Quantum Initiative Act and the CHIPS and Science Act, as examples of effective cross-party support. “We need to continue investing in our people, infrastructure, and research capabilities while encouraging innovative funding mechanisms, such as R&D tax credits and coordinated investment across sectors,” he emphasizes.
Corporate Research Labs: Driving Innovation
From his vantage point at IBM Research, Gil celebrates the enduring contributions of corporate laboratories to scientific advancement. “Next year, IBM Research will mark its 80th anniversary, with over 100,000 scientific publications and six Nobel Prizes to date,” he notes. Industrial labs, he argues, complement universities and federal institutions, driving breakthroughs in fields ranging from quantum computing to AI.
Gil describes the current era as one of unprecedented opportunity in computing: “We’re witnessing a convergence of bits, neurons, and qubits—semiconductors, AI, and quantum computing coming together. The pace of change in the next five years may surpass what we’ve seen in the past 40 to 50 years.”
He emphasizes that advancing science and technology requires a holistic view that celebrates every contributor—philanthropy, academia, industry, and government alike. “The question is not who deserves credit, but how we can collaborate to achieve ambitious goals. Working together, we can drive extraordinary accomplishments for decades to come.”
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