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Multi colored and connected polygons shaped of human brain symbolizing neural connections in brain and artificial intelligence © iStock

A step towards understanding machine intelligence the human way

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EPFL

EPFL researchers have discovered key ‘units’ in large AI models that seem to be important for language, mirroring the brain’s language system. When these specific units were turned off, the models got much worse at language tasks.

Graphic novel explains the environmental impact of AI

09.05.25NewsEPFL

EPFL’s Center for Learning Sciences (LEARN) is releasing Utop’IA, an educational graphic novel that explores the environmental impact of artificial intelligence. The book, developed in association with author and illustrator Herji, will be launched at a public event at the Rolex Learning Center at 6:30pm on Tuesday, 20 May.

Eco-friendly aquatic robot is made from fish food

08.05.25NewsResearch

An edible robot made by EPFL scientists leverages a combination of biodegradable fuel and surface tension to zip around the water’s surface, creating a safe – and nutritious – alternative to environmental monitoring devices made from artificial polymers and electronics.

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Profiles

“We need to stimulate curiosity and nurture a culture of observation”

08.05.25EPFL

How can we encourage students from different backgrounds to pursue careers in science and engineering and better support them through their studies? According to Nicolas Grandjean, a physics professor at EPFL and the School’s Associate Vice President for Education since 1 January 2025, the key is to promote greater interaction between students and teachers. We spoke with him about his vision, in which research and knowledge sharing are closely linked.

“I live vicariously through the researchers and their experiments”

05.05.25EPFL

Kevin Sivula is driven by curiosity to understand the nature of chemical systems for direct solar to fuel energy conversion. His love of color change has been a common thread throughout his endeavors.

"In industry, my job was to mitigate problems. Now I look for causes"

01.05.25EPFL community

Eunok Yim is head of EPFL’s new Hydro Energy & Applied fluid Dynamics Lab. Her path to academia was illuminated by a four-year stint at General Electric, where she worked on optimizing hydropower mechanical performance.

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Couverture du 16e numéro du magazine Dimensions. Sur la couverture, un renard, de face, dessiné à la main

Taming generative AI

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At universities like EPFL, researchers are developing new models and strategies for ensuring GenAI remains useful for society.

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EPFL

Located in Switzerland, EPFL is one of Europe’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan science and technology institutions.

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Through five schools and two colleges, EPFL community tackles the biggest challenges of our time through education, research and innovation.

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At the heart of beautiful Switzerland, EPFL is a world of curiosity, collaboration and learning.

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EPFL Memento

Towards a Sustainable Space: Addressing the Challenges of the Final Frontier

Sustainability Series with Christophe Bonnal, Space Debris and Launcher Expert, MaiaSpace Summary of his talk: "Anything that goes up will eventually come down… In the case of launchers and satellites in Low Earth…

27-05-202527-05-2025

Place and room: RLC E1 240
Category: Conferences – Seminars

Breast Cancer Prevention: A Dialog Among Medical Experts, Researchers, and Start-ups

12-05-202512-05-2025

With: Cathrin BRISKEN : Associate Professor, ISREC, School of Life Sciences, EPFL, the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Center, the Institute of Cancer Research London, UK Stéphanie LACOUR: VP for Support to Strategic Initiatives, EPFL Dr. Khalid ZAMAN: Assistant Physician, Head of Breast Cancer Center, Department of Oncology, UNIL, CHUV Wolfgang HACKL: Founder & CEO of OncogenomX
Place and room: Rolex Learning Center
Category: Conferences – Seminars