MIT and GlobalFoundries Partner to Advance Chip Research for AI

MIT and GlobalFoundries Collaborate to Advance Research and Innovation in Essential Chips for AI

In a significant move to bolster semiconductor research and development, MIT and GlobalFoundries (GF) have announced a collaboration aimed at advancing the fundamental technologies underpinning essential chips for artificial intelligence (AI) and other critical applications. This partnership seeks to accelerate innovation in semiconductor manufacturing and design, crucial for meeting the growing demands of the AI industry.

The collaboration will leverage MIT’s cutting-edge research capabilities and GF’s advanced manufacturing expertise to explore new materials, device architectures, and fabrication techniques. The goal is to create chips that are more powerful, energy-efficient, and cost-effective.

“This collaboration with GlobalFoundries represents a powerful synergy between academic research and industrial innovation,” said Anantha P. Chandrakasan, dean of the MIT School of Engineering. “By combining MIT’s strengths in fundamental research with GF’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing, we can accelerate the development of next-generation chips that will drive advancements in AI and other critical fields.”

GF will provide MIT researchers with access to its state-of-the-art fabrication facilities and process technology, enabling them to prototype and test new chip designs in a real-world manufacturing environment. This hands-on experience will be invaluable for translating research breakthroughs into practical applications.

“We are excited to partner with MIT to push the boundaries of semiconductor technology,” said Thomas Caulfield, president and CEO of GlobalFoundries. “This collaboration will enable us to explore new avenues for innovation and develop the next generation of chips that will power the AI revolution.”

The initial focus of the collaboration will be on developing chips for AI accelerators, which are specialized processors designed to speed up AI workloads such as machine learning and deep learning. These chips are essential for enabling AI applications in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, and transportation.

The partnership will also explore new materials and device architectures that can improve the performance and energy efficiency of chips. This includes research into novel semiconductors, such as gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC), which have the potential to outperform traditional silicon-based chips in certain applications.

This collaboration between MIT and GlobalFoundries signifies a commitment to advancing semiconductor technology and ensuring that the United States remains a leader in the global chip industry. By fostering innovation and collaboration, this partnership has the potential to drive significant advancements in AI and other critical technologies.