Investing in AI at Penn Engineering

How did Penn Engineering become a leader in AI? It began with the support of philanthropically minded alumni and friends of Penn Engineering like Rajendra Singh (PAR’10, PAR’11), Harlan Stone (C’80, PAR’13) and Warren Center Founding Donor Fred Warren (ME’60, WG’61, PAR’87, PAR’19)

Does simple guesswork lead to more cooperation than complicated calculus?

In two papers, one published in PLoS Computational Biology and the other in the Journal of Theoretical Biology, Erol Akçay and other researchers explored how reasoning strategies can be effectively modeled and applied to enhance biologists’ understanding of social dynamics.

• Biology

Exploring AI in Engineering

Surbhi Goel and Chris Callison-Burch joined this episode of the Innovation & Impact podcast to discuss how AI is accelerating discovery in fields such as Bioengineering and Computing while also bringing unexpected new challenges in areas such as security.

• Computer and Information Science

Surbhi Goel Explains How ChatGPT Actually Works

How do large language models (LLMs), which power chatbots like ChatGPT, actually work? Few are better qualified to answer this question than Surbhi Goel, who completed her doctoral dissertation on understanding how neural networks work, of which LLMs are just one prominent example.

• Computer and Information Science

Chris Callison-Burch Talks Empowering Tomorrow’s AI Engineers

Through programs like the Raj and Neera Singh Program in Artificial Intelligence, Penn Engineering is addressing the critical demand for specialized engineers and empowering students to be leaders in AI’s responsible use. Chris Callison-Burch shares his own vision of an AI-integrated future.

• Computer and Information Science

What to know: 2024 total solar eclipse

Penn Today met with astronomers Gary Bernstein and Bhuvnesh Jain to learn more about the mechanics of an eclipse, the coming one’s significance, and how eclipses have historically informed scientists understanding of the nature of the universe.

• Physics and Astronomy

Sampath Kannan Will be Next Associate Director of the Simons Institute

Congratulations to Sampath Kannan, who will be the next associate director of the Simons Institute starting July 1, 2024. Sampath succeeds Sandy Irani, who has served as the Institute’s associate director since 2022.

• Computer and Information Science

Energy and Sustainability

In the most recent episode of Penn Engineering's Innovation & Impact Podcast Benjamin C. Lee discusses how AI, tech, population growth, and other factors will impact the future of energy and sustainability, while also exploring how educational institutions like Penn can lead the way.

• Computer and Information Science

Penn Engineering launches first Ivy League undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence

The new degree will push the limits on AI’s potential and prepare students to lead the use of this world-changing technology. “The timing of this new undergraduate program comes as AI poses one of the most promising yet challenging opportunities the world currently faces,” says Vijay Kumar.

Once a spy satellite, now a telescope with an eye on the cosmos

Researchers from Penn’s School of Arts & Sciences, including Warren Center affiliate Bhuvnesh Jain, are part of a collaboration to develop Hubble’s wide-eyed cousin, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope.

• Physics and Astronomy