NVIDIA has announced the launch of its inaugural AI Tech Community in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, establishing a strategic platform to bridge academia, industry, and public-sector entities for advancing artificial intelligence innovation. This initiative was unveiled during the NVIDIA AI Summit in Washington, D.C., according to the NVIDIA Blog.

Collaborations with Academic Leaders

The initiative involves collaborations with prestigious institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of Pittsburgh. These partnerships aim to enhance public-private cooperation and leverage Pittsburgh’s potential for technological transformation through AI. Two joint technology centers will be established to tap into the region’s expertise.

At CMU, known as the nation’s top AI university by U.S. News & World Report, the Joint Center for Robotics, Autonomy, and AI will provide faculty, students, and researchers access to cutting-edge technologies, boosting innovation in AI and robotics. The University of Pittsburgh’s Joint Center for AI and Intelligent Systems will focus on computational opportunities in health sciences, applying AI in clinical medicine and biomanufacturing.

Technological Advancements and Support

NVIDIA’s full-stack AI platform and accelerated computing expertise will be integral to these centers, preparing future technology leaders for next-generation innovations. The centers will utilize NVIDIA’s AI platforms such as NVIDIA DGX for AI training, NVIDIA Omniverse for simulation, and NVIDIA Jetson for edge computing.

Additionally, CMU and Pitt will have access to NVIDIA’s latest AI software and frameworks, including NVIDIA Isaac Lab for robot learning, NVIDIA Isaac Sim for designing and testing robots, and NVIDIA NeMo for custom generative AI. These resources are made available through the NVIDIA AI Enterprise software platform.

Fostering Cross-Industry Collaboration

The AI Tech Community initiative also involves increased engagement with local startups and companies. NVIDIA is collaborating with Pittsburgh-based members of the NVIDIA Inception program, which supports AI startups, and the NVIDIA Connect program for software development companies.

Innovative companies like Lovelace AI and Skild AI are already utilizing NVIDIA’s accelerated computing and AI frameworks to enhance their technological solutions. Skild AI, for instance, is developing a scalable robotics foundation model, Skild Brain, using NVIDIA’s Isaac Lab framework.

Commitment to Workforce Development

Through the NVIDIA Deep Learning Institute, which has trained over 650,000 individuals globally, NVIDIA is committed to advancing AI workforce development. This initiative underscores NVIDIA’s dedication to fostering an ecosystem that supports AI innovation and commercialization across sectors.

NVIDIA’s engagement with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network and technology accelerators like AlphaLab further emphasizes its commitment to the city’s burgeoning robotics and AI ecosystem. This collaborative effort aims to accelerate the commercialization of advanced technologies and support local startups focused on AI, robotics, and autonomy.

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