CC* Regional Computing: The California State University System Technology Infrastructure for Data Exploration

The Technology Infrastructure for Data Exploration (TIDE) creates a pioneering computational core facility within the California State University (CSU) system, focused on machine learning and AI research. The computational core will include substantial GPU, CPU, and storage capacity to be housed at San Diego State University for researchers.

TIDE's primary objective is to enable scientific drivers across the CSU system, including artificial intelligence for humanoid robots, computational chemistry for tetrapyrrolic molecules, hyperdimensional computing for deep neural networks, and digital archeology featuring photogrammetric analysis. This foundational computational asset also addresses the lack of equitable access to cyberinfrastructure, a significant barrier to the democratization of science identified by the National Science Foundation.

The CSU system is the largest and most diverse higher education system in America. It enrolls 460,000 students, provides 50% of all bachelor degrees in California, and 21 of the 23 CSU campuses are Hispanic-serving institutions. The broader impact of TIDE includes democratizing GPU access, thus facilitating full participation in the AI revolution.

The initiative will also help diversify the field of science by engaging ethnically diverse and first-generation college students. Additionally, TIDE is expected to attract faculty, boost research productivity, and enhance student engagement and success, amplifying CSU's core educational and research missions.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.