Penn Engineers Develop AI Tool to Design Peptides That Turn Signals On or Off

News / July 9, 2026

A new Penn-led AI framework could help accelerate peptide drug discovery by generating candidates predicted to have specified effects, such as activating or blocking receptors involved in metabolism, addiction and cancer.

A laptop shows code and the words "target" and "antagonist." In the background, a screen shows a 3D model of a peptide molecule.

Opening AI’s Black Box

News / July 7, 2026

Danaé Metaxa’s new book explains how tech companies, journalists and policymakers can prevent AI decision making from going wrong.

A diptych: on the left, a faculty member in a polo shirt smiles at the camera. On the right, a cover of a book titled "Auditing AI" with a black background and white and orange text and graphics.

Transforming Healthcare Logistics With Low-Cost AI

News / June 25, 2026

By forecasting demand and correcting for missing data, researchers from Wharton and Penn Engineering developed a low-cost AI tool that helps get life-saving medicines to the communities in Sierra Leone that need them most.

A busy street facing a hospital in Sierra Leone.

FireANTs Brings AI Speed and Geometric Precision to Medical Imaging

News / June 9, 2026

Open-source algorithm combines AI optimization and geometry to speed medical image matching from days to minutes.

Testing AI Against Public Health’s Existing Tools

News / June 8, 2026

Penn-led study found that AI chatbots made vaccine-hesitant parents more likely to say they would vaccinate their children against HPV, but did not outperform materials from government health agencies, whose effects also lasted longer.

A vial labeled "HPV" vaccine and a syringe sit in front of a phone with a chatbot interface.

Innovation & Impact Podcast Episode 12: Driving the Future with Benedetto Vigna

News / May 26, 2026

Episode 12 of the Innovation & Impact podcast features Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, whose career spans from engaging in cutting-edge semiconductor research to leading one of the world’s most iconic brands. In this episode, host Vijay Kumar, Nemirovsky Family Dean of Penn Engineering and Professor in Mechanical Engineering and...