Augmented reality systems can assist people with complex tasks, such as fixing a car or administering CPR. But their visuals can also distract from or cover important objects, either accidentally or through external malicious attacks. See how Maria Gorlatova’s lab is partnering with DARPA to craft defenses that keep AR systems reliable.

Dear Colleagues,

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping science and technology, and one question we are grappling with is to what end? At Duke ECE, our faculty are defining AI with purpose: systems that connect disciplines, extend intelligence to the edge and protect users as technology becomes more autonomous.

In the stories linked in this newsletter, you'll learn how our faculty are reshaping how people and machines work together. Across fields, they're advancing safer augmented reality systems and developing AI that's more trustworthy. In the lab, AI is emerging as both a collaborator and a catalyst—powering instruments, sparking ideas and speeding discovery. These efforts embody Duke Engineering’s mission to advance technology responsibly, ensuring that progress benefits science and society alike.

Hai "Helen" Li, PhD
Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
Marie Foote Reel E’46 Distinguished Professor

Emily Wenger studies how AI systems can fail and designs strategies to make them safer, more transparent and more responsible. Get to know Prof. Wenger and why she says that all of today's AI models have big implications for human creativity.

Willie Padilla’s group shows how agentic systems of large language models can tackle complex inverse design problems, fast-tracking discoveries once thought to take years. Find out how they did it.

Haozhe "Harry" Wang and his team built an AI‑driven optical system that can analyze 2D materials as precisely as experts—turning hours of work into seconds. See why their innovation could find its way into a lab near you.

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