Agencies

Sparking curiosity in the future semiconductor workforce

Published: 17 June 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

The United States semiconductor industry is projected to have between 60,000 and 100,000 unfilled jobs by 2030. As the need for semiconductor technicians, engineers and scientists continues to increase, there is also a growing demand for innovative ways to train this anticipated workforce. But such training typically requires expensive clean rooms and advanced equipment, resources that many schools don’t have access to.

A team of researchers, which included high school and community college students, found a solution to this challenge by using artificial intelligence-powered virtual reality (VR) to create simulations as a cost-effective alternative for people to learn about the process of semiconductor fabrication. The results of their research, which is supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Micro Nano Technology Education Center at Pasadena City College (PCC), in collaboration with the University of California, Irvine (UCI), are available in the Journal of Advanced Technological Education.

“Many students, especially those at underfunded schools, never get to see or touch the real semiconductor fabrication tools,” said Kristal Hong, a member of the research team and a computer science major at UCI. “I, myself, was a community college student without access to a cleanroom, so I know how that gap can dampen student enthusiasm.”

By using AI-powered VR to create cleanroom simulations, the team is offering a learning channel outside of traditional classrooms and

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Training AI to see more like humans

Published: 17 June 2025
Categories: National Science Foundation

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

At Brown University, an innovative new project is revealing that teaching artificial intelligence to perceive things more like people may begin with something as simple as a game. The project invites participants to play an online game called Click Me, which helps AI models learn how people see and interpret images. While the game is fun and accessible, its purpose is more ambitious: to understand the root causes of AI errors and to systematically improve how AI systems represent the visual world.

Over the past decade, AI systems have become more powerful and widely used, particularly in tasks like recognizing images. For example, these systems can identify animals, objects or diagnose medical conditions from images. However, they sometimes make mistakes that humans rarely do. For instance, an AI algorithm might confidently label a photo of a dog wearing sunglasses as a completely different animal or fail to recognize a stop sign if it’s partially covered by graffiti. As these models become larger and more complex, these kinds of errors become more frequent, revealing a growing gap between how AI and humans perceive the world.

Recognizing this challenge, researchers funded in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation propose to combine insights from psychology and neuroscience with machine learning to create the next generation of human-aligned AI. Their goal is to understand how people process

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Disaster Recovery Centers in Hart, Nelson Counties To Close Permanently; Help is Still Available

Published: 17 June 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

FRANKFORT, Ky. –The Disaster Recovery Centers in Hart and Nelson counties are scheduled to close permanently June 14 at 7 p.m. Kentucky survivors who experienced loss as the result of the April severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides can still apply for FEMA assistance. 

The Disaster Recovery Center in Hart County: 
Community Center, 7035 Raider Hollow Road, Munfordville, KY 42765
Working hours for June 14 are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT.

The Disaster Recovery Center in Nelson County:

Boston Community Center, 61 Lebanon Junction Road, Boston, KY 40107
Working hours for June 14 are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

Disaster Recovery Centers are one-stop shops where you can get information and advice on available assistance from state, federal and community organizations. You can get help to apply for FEMA assistance, learn the status of your FEMA application, understand the letters you get from FEMA and get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance. 

FEMA is encouraging Kentuckians affected by the April storms to apply for federal disaster assistance as soon as possible. The deadline to apply is July 25.

You can visit any Disaster Recovery Center to get in-person assistance. No appointment is needed. To find all other center locations, including those in other states, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. 

You don’t have to visit a center to apply for FEMA assistance. There

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What to Expect After You Apply for FEMA Assistance

Published: 17 June 2025
Categories: FEMA News

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

If you were affected by either of two recent federally declared disasters in Missouri – March 14-15 or May 16 – you may be eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

How to Apply

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, call toll-free 800-621-3362, or download the FEMA App.

What to Expect After Applying

A FEMA inspector may contact you to schedule a home inspection. To be prepared for the visit, please have the following documents:

Identity: Social Security number, state driver’s license, state ID, or voter registration card.Proof of ownership and occupancy.Receipts of any items purchased prior to inspection.Pictures of any damage that may now be repaired or cleared off the property.

During the appointment, FEMA inspectors will:

Present their official FEMA ID badges.Confirm your FEMA case number.Review structural and personal property damage.

FEMA inspectors will not:

Determine eligibility.Take any money or ask for credit card information.Take the place of an insurance inspection.

If you suspect that someone is not a legitimate FEMA inspector, do not provide your personal information, and contact local law enforcement about your concerns. 

Your Determination Letter
After the inspector’s visit, you will be sent a determination letter from FEMA either by mail or email. FEMA will explain in the letter whether you are eligible for assistance, how much, and how the assistance must be used.

If your letter says your application cannot be approved, it does not mean

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