August 8, 2025 — The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is enhancing its artificial intelligence research through a new off-campus supercomputer named “Betty.”
Developed by NVIDIA and housed at a data center in Collegeville, about 30 miles from Penn’s campus, Betty integrates high-performance GPUs and CPUs to handle complex AI workloads. It can process massive datasets and continuously optimize results over time. The system adapts to researchers’ needs, offering powerful computational support for advanced projects.
Kenneth Chaney, Associate Director of AI and Technology at Penn’s Advanced Research Computing Center (PARCC), emphasized that Betty was a collaborative achievement involving the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Perelman School of Medicine, and the School of Arts and Sciences, among others.
“The scale of modern AI research has grown beyond what any single school can support,” Chaney explained.
“This shared platform allows researchers to tackle new problems that require the computational power Betty provides.”
Marylyn Ritchie, Vice Dean of AI and Computing at the Perelman School of Medicine, sees Betty not only as a practical tool but also as a catalyst for interdisciplinary collaboration.
“In the future, AI will be used across all areas of research,” Ritchie said.
“While GPU computing is currently critical in only certain fields, I believe it will become standard in most disciplines.”
Transitioning to a Shared High-Performance Computing Model #
Betty represents Penn’s shift away from the traditional lab-owned, self-managed server model toward a shared high-performance computing (HPC) approach. Ritchie highlighted that the old model was costly and inefficient.
“Most lab computers aren’t running 24/7; they often sit idle,” she noted.
“A centralized system like Betty allows the research community to pool resources, maximizing efficiency and enabling computation at a scale no single lab could achieve.”
Why an Off-Campus Facility? #
Placing Betty in Collegeville was a strategic decision. The system requires specialized cooling and power infrastructure, including 1 megawatt of electricity—something not feasible within Philadelphia’s urban setting.
Despite being off-campus, Betty and all future PARCC systems are fully accessible through Penn’s network.
“As long as you can connect to Penn’s network, you can access Betty,” Ritchie confirmed.
Honoring a Computing Pioneer #
The supercomputer’s name pays tribute to Frances “Betty” Holberton, one of the six original programmers of ENIAC, the world’s first electronic digital computer, developed at Penn in the 1940s. The naming underscores the university’s historic role in computing innovation.
Early Applications and Future Outlook #
Currently in pilot operation, Betty is already being used by 10 research labs and 47 researchers. Early projects include:
- Project Eureka — led by Dinesh Jayaraman, Assistant Professor of Computer and Information Science.
- Large-Scale Models for Biomolecular Methods — developed by Pranam Chatterjee, Assistant Professor of Bioengineering and Computer & Information Science.
- NSF AIRFoundry — led by Zack Ives, Department Chair and Adani President’s Distinguished Professor of Computer and Information Science.
Chaney sees this as just the beginning:
“The launch of Betty marks a bright future for Penn’s supercomputing initiatives, opening new opportunities for resources and collaboration.”