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Deep Tech at Duke brings together leaders in science, policy, and innovation to shape the technologies defining our future.
Deep Tech at Duke reflects the university’s commitment to be a global leader in cutting-edge technologies that require significant breakthrough research and have transformative potential across multiple sectors.
We lead multidisciplinary research and collaborations that support the development of—and explore the effects of—technical domains such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, renewable energy, and cybersecurity.
These technologies are reshaping our world, from geopolitical relations to the way we work. At Duke, we recognize the importance of holistically understanding the opportunities and risk they pose to critical national interests such as economic security, technological leadership, and environmental sustainability.
In addition to their direct effects, these technologies are increasingly spurring nations around the world to rewrite their supply chains, geopolitical partnerships, and economic policies to capture and promote their development domestically and among nations with shared interests.
This “reindustrialization” process has featured not only disruptive supply chain reorganizations but also catalytic investments, with landmark legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act the CHIPS and Science Act laying the groundwork for rebuilding advanced manufacturing capabilities in the United States.
Understanding this transition requires a broad approach that unites leaders across hard sciences, applied technology, geopolitics, economics, policy, and more.
We are here to bridge those disciplines.
Leading with purpose
We have already laid the foundation for this work, hosting major events on the future of the global semiconductor industry and financing the energy transition. In the spring of 2025 we launched a partnership with OpenAI on metascience research, helping accelerate the pace of scientific discovery and innovation.
Duke is uniquely positioned to undertake a holistic approach to this new paradigm. We are a world-leading academic institution in a state that has strong connections to the manufacturing sector, the military, and research and development laboratories. In Durham, we are based in one of the most innovative cities in the world. And, critically, our faculty reflects a deep commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving required to tackle the future of deep tech.
To learn more about Deep Tech at Duke, we invite you to explore our events and blog.
Focus Areas
Deep Tech at Duke's work is driven by the following focus areas: