Purdue University receives funding from $26.7 Million NSF initiative to forge the future of Open Knowledge Networks
Purdue University researchers are part of a team creating knowledge graphs and educational materials for an open knowledge network through the NSF’s Proto- OKN program. This network will be a publicly-accessible set of data repositories and knowledge graphs aimed at data-driven, AI-based solutions for societal and economic challenges.
Jing Gao, Associate Professor of ECE, leads the project “A Knowledge Graph Warehouse for Neighborhood Information.” The goal is to collect and organize neighborhood data, including demographics, land use, local incidents, and proximity to trauma centers, in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice and other experts.
“This grant allows our interdisciplinary team to develop a fundamental data infrastructure that can empower decision-makers with essential tools and information,” said Gao. “The infrastructure aims to break down data silos, integrate data, and potentially support transformative research discoveries.”
Gao’s team will compile data from local records and census data into a centralized, enhanced database. They will also develop software to manage and facilitate searches and trend analysis. The system is designed to expand and incorporate new data continuously.
The project includes an educational component to integrate outcomes into course content, mentor students, and promote inclusivity and diversity in STEM programs. The Proto-OKN will benefit government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, researchers, and others by providing integrated information for various uses, such as evidence-based policies and novel AI capabilities. It aims to be a crucial public data infrastructure, transforming the nation’s ability to derive actionable insights from linked data.
Jing Gao, Associate Professor of ECE
Badesha Santokh
Distinguished Professor of ECE