Physical AI

Purdue University is building a world-leading program in artificial intelligence (AI). Leveraging Purdue’s signature strengths in materials science, engineering, microelectronics, computer science, agriculture and life sciences, the Institute for Physical AI (IPAI) is committed to solving the world’s toughest challenges.

The Purdue-led team of Kaushik Roy, Edward G. Tiedemann Jr. Distinguished Professor of ECE, Anand Raghunathan, Silicon Valley Chair Professor of ECE, and Sumeet Gupta, Elmore Family Associate Professor of ECE, with collaborating partners Everspin Technologies, Georgia Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratories, University of Michigan, and Northrop Grumman has recently been awarded a $21M grant from the Microelectronics Commons program of the US CHIPS and Science Act. Their project explores a CMOS+X strategy that leverages magnetic random- access memory (MRAM) to develop efficient in- memory computing hardware.

This initiative seeks to transform AI system performance and efficiency while facilitating the transition from lab research to fabrication. Additionally, Kaushik Roy and Anand Raghunathan are leading the newly established Purdue University Institute of Chips and AI, which advances the symbiotic relationship between semiconductor chips and AI by creating new chip technology to enable future AI capabilities and optimizing chip design processes using AI. This virtuous cycle not only fosters cutting-edge advancements but also addresses the increasing complexities and costs of developing state-of-the-art semiconductors.

Researchers use real-world applications and advanced testing platforms to guide and measure their progress. By bringing together top experts in areas such as artificial intelligence, neuroscience, computer science, robotics, and autonomous systems, Purdue ECE hopes to achieve breakthroughs that would be hard for each field to accomplish on its own. These are just a couple of examples of ECE’s impact on the Advancing Physical Artificial Intelligence goal of Purdue Computes!