This week with NSF Director Panchanathan

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan has just concluded several days filled with impactful activities. Highlights included joining first lady Dr. Jill Biden in North Carolina to announce two of the first-ever NSF Regional Innovation Engines, leading a media briefing for the official launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot, and traveling to India to attend the seventh India-U.S. Forum 2024.

On Friday, Jan. 26, the Director and first lady launched the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine and the North Carolina Sustainable Textiles Innovation Engine. Each project will receive up to $15 million for two years and up to $160 million over 10 years. This groundbreaking investment in place-based science and technology research and development will spur economic growth and catalyze breakthrough technologies in regenerative medicine and textile manufacturing. A total of 10 new flagship NSF Engines were announced on Monday to power innovation and jobs across the country, part of President Joe Biden's Investing in America agenda under the bipartisan "CHIPS and Science Act of 2022."

The Director also delivered remarks to members of the media, sharing how the NAIRR pilot will lead the way in creating a trustworthy, democratized U.S. artificial intelligence ecosystem. NAIRR will help strengthen the ability of academia, local and federal governments, students and businesses large and small to investigate new AI directions and develop AI tools and systems that keep the nation at the leading edge of AI innovation.

Over the weekend, the Director traveled to New Delhi to attend the India-U.S. Forum and speak at the "Trustpolitik: Converging Values in R&D and Tech" session. The forum is a platform for leaders of both countries to exchange ideas and shape the future of the U.S.-India strategic partnership through dialogue and collaboration.