NSF AIRFoundry opens at One uCity Square

The University of Pennsylvania officially celebrated the grand opening of the National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence-Driven RNA BioFoundry (AIRFoundry) on March 31 at One uCity Square, marking a significant milestone for Philadelphia’s life sciences and innovation ecosystem. Led by AIRFoundry Director Daeyeon Lee, PhD, the AIRFoundry is a major new national resource at the intersection of artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and biotechnology, bringing together leaders across academia, industry, and government to advance the next generation of discovery.

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the AIRFoundry is designed as a state-of-the-art user facility that harnesses AI-driven discovery, high-throughput bioengineering, and advanced manufacturing to accelerate innovation in RNA-based technologies. Its applications span human health, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and biotechnology manufacturing. As Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering, shared during the ceremony, “There is an ecosystem surrounding this, going from molecular level to microscopic level and AI is the connective tissue that brings things together,” underscoring the facility’s role in linking disciplines and scaling innovation.

The grand opening event welcomed attendees for tours and conversations with the scientific leadership team, highlighting opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and workforce development. Reflecting on the project’s early days, Dean Kumar added, “we knew AI was going to be a big thing, even back in 2019 when we started fundraising for the AI building. at that time, we didn’t know how big it was going to be or how widespread it would be… and now we’re seeing it play out in the AIRFoundry project.” This momentum continues to build across campus, with Penn celebrating AI Month at Penn in April, further elevating the visibility and impact of artificial intelligence across disciplines.

The significance of the moment was also reflected in the setting itself. As Jonathan A. Epstein, MD, Dean of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine and Executive Vice President of the University of Pennsylvania for the Health System, shared during the event, “It’s gratifying to see this happening and to celebrate it in this building [at One uCity Square]. This is an unusual building for Penn. It happens to be a place where engineering and medicine come very close together and also where the private sector has a seat at the table, and I think all those pieces are necessary to see the fulfillment of the dreams that you’re laying out today.” Located in the heart of uCity Square, the AIRFoundry strengthens Philadelphia’s position as a national leader in life sciences and inclusive innovation, bringing together the partnerships needed to drive meaningful breakthroughs across industries.