Instant Pot Corn Chowder

Name: Instant Pot Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 6 ears fresh sweet corn (see Note 1); 6 strips bacon (sliced into ½” lardons, see Note 2); 1 large sweet onion (diced to ½”, about 1 cup); 2 medium carrots (diced to ½”, about ½ cup); 2 stalks celery (diced to ½”, about ½ cup); 4 cloves garlic (minced); 1 pound russet potatoes (about 2 large potatoes) (peeled and diced into 1.5 chunks); ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon ground pepper; 1 sprig fresh thyme; 1 whole bay leaf; 2 tablespoons cornstarch; ¾ cup heavy cream; chopped fresh chives (to garnish)