The NTU Center for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Robotics (AIROBO) was established in 2018 by Professor Li-Chen Fu of the Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering. The Center promotes cross-disciplinary collaboration and technological advancement in artificial intelligence across the University, spanning areas such as robotics, smart manufacturing, intelligent healthcare, and digital humanities. At the same time, the Center actively expands international collaboration with universities, research institutes, and global organizations. Its partners include the University of Tsukuba, Tohoku University, CentraleSupélec, and the Autoware Foundation.
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding at the end of 2017 between the AIROBO Center and the Research Institute of Electrical Communication at Tohoku University, the two institutions agreed to host a bilateral academic forum on a rotating basis. The first forum was initiated and organized by Associate Director Professor Su-Ling Yeh of the Center and was held in 2017 at NTU’s Department of Psychology. In the following year, members of the Center traveled to Tohoku University for the forum there. Since then, the two universities have continued the tradition of alternating as host each year. Each forum features lectures by dozens of distinguished scholars and experts from both institutions, fostering lively and wide-ranging discussions on topics related to artificial intelligence.
The 2024 NTU─Tohoku University Symposium on AI and Human Studies was held on March 2 at NTU’s Barry Lam Hall, hosted by Professor Li-Chen Fu, Director of AIROBO. The symposium featured sixteen distinguished scholars from NTU and Tohoku University, representing diverse fields including electrical engineering and computer science, mechanical engineering, psychology, biotechnology, education, and finance. They delivered engaging presentations and participated in-depth discussions on topics related to artificial intelligence. A highlight of this year’s event was the inaugural inclusion of student presentations from both universities, providing a platform for faculty and students to engage in mutual exchange and collaboration in the AI domain.
The 8th Forum between the AIROBO Center and the Research Institute of Electrical Communication at Tohoku University was held on March 1, 2025, at Tohoku University in Japan. The forum covered topics including next-generation communications, AI chips, and humanities research, with a total of ten invited lecture sessions. The 9th Forum took place on November 23, 2025, at the Alan Turing Auditorium in NTU’s MK Innovation Hall, co-hosted by the Graduate School of Advanced Technology and the AIROBO Center. Tohoku University was represented by Professors Masanori Natsui, Takahiro Hanyu, and Shigeo Sato, all of whom delivered keynote lectures. This forum focused on the challenges and developments of semiconductors in edge computing.
The AIROBO Center will continue to advance cross-disciplinary collaboration and technological development in artificial intelligence, showcasing NTU’s soft power in the AI field.