Training the Next Generation of AI and Microelectronics Innovators

Tamzidul Hoque, an assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of Kansas, is leading a significant initiative to train high school students in artificial intelligence and microelectronics. Through a $1.4 million National Science Foundation grant, with $350,000 allocated to KU, Hoque and his team will develop educational modules focused on edge AI, enabling students to create and run AI code on low-power TinyML devices. This project aims to bridge the gap between AI software and hardware, providing students with hands-on experience in both coding and microelectronics. In partnership with Shawnee Mission West High School and other schools across Kansas, Florida, and Texas, the program will engage 500 students and 25 teachers in real-world projects, fostering interest in these critical technology fields.

Hoque's work emphasizes the development of cost-effective edge devices, priced under $45, to ensure accessibility for schools with limited resources. He is also focusing on integrating altruistic, community-centered projects into the curriculum, showcasing how engineering can address societal needs, such as fire detection or agricultural support. By aligning the curriculum with industry demands through an advisory board, Hoque aims to prepare students for high-paying careers in AI and microelectronics, thereby strengthening the domestic workforce and supporting the goals of the CHIPS and Science Act. 

This initiative not only addresses the need for skilled professionals in these sectors but also ensures national security by promoting domestic microchip development and production.