MIT and GlobalFoundries Partner to Advance AI Chip Technology

In a significant push to enhance the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) through advanced semiconductor technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and GlobalFoundries (GF) have announced a new research agreement. This collaboration aims to drive innovation in essential chips vital for AI applications, focusing on improving their performance and efficiency.

The partnership will be spearheaded by MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories (MTL) and GF Labs, the research and development arm of GlobalFoundries, a leading semiconductor manufacturer. The initial projects will leverage GF’s specialized silicon photonics technology, which integrates radio frequency silicon-on-insulator (RF SOI), CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor), and optical features onto a single chip. This integration promises to enhance power efficiencies for data centers. Additionally, the collaboration will explore GF’s 22FDX platform, known for its ultra-low power consumption in edge computing devices.

Tomás Palacios, director of MIT MTL and the Clarence J. LeBel Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, emphasizes the importance of this academia-industry cooperation. “The collaboration between MIT MTL and GF exemplifies the power of academia-industry cooperation in tackling the most pressing challenges in semiconductor research,” Palacios stated, highlighting his role as the MIT faculty lead for the initiative.

Gregg Bartlett, chief technology officer at GF, echoed this sentiment, noting GF’s dedication to innovation and talent development within the semiconductor industry. “By bringing together MIT’s world-renowned capabilities with GF’s leading semiconductor platforms, we are positioned to drive significant research advancements in GF’s essential chip technologies for AI,” said Bartlett.

Anantha P. Chandrakasan, dean of MIT’s School of Engineering, chief innovation and strategy officer, and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, highlighted the broader impact of this partnership. “This collaboration allows MIT’s exceptional research community to leverage GlobalFoundries’ wide range of industry domain experts and advanced process technologies to drive exciting innovations in microelectronics across domains — while preparing our students to take on leading roles in the workforce of the future.”

The agreement was officially signed at MIT, marking a continuation of GF’s engagement with the university through MTL’s Microsystems Industrial Group and GF’s University Partnership Program. These initiatives focus on joint semiconductor research, prototyping, and workforce development, including participation in the Northeast Microelectronics Coalition, a U.S. Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons Hub.

This collaboration between MIT and GlobalFoundries signifies a crucial step toward advancing semiconductor technology for AI, promising innovations that could reshape the future of computing and intelligent devices.