imec.AI-labs, the substrate of intelligence
Architecting the future of AI at the intersection of software and hardware—with a center of excellence in Paris, France.
Architecting the future of AI
We are a Paris-based center of excellence that is part of imec, a world-leading research and innovation hub in advanced semiconductor technologies. We focus on the future architecture of artificial intelligence, uniquely positioned at the intersection of software and hardware.
We are dedicated to creating breakthrough AI models, methodologies, and applications. We focus on the next generation of intelligent systems rather than incremental improvements to today’s architectures.
The end of easy scaling is an engineering fact many teams now live with. For years, progress in large models leaned on bigger clusters, larger batches, and more parameters; returns are diminishing: each step costs more energy and silicon area while gains in capability shrink. Memory bandwidth, interconnect congestion, and cooling limits bite before raw FLOPs do. Reliability and cost of inference at the edge expose how fragile “scale alone” can be when products must run under fixed power and latency.
That is why we treat co-design of algorithms, software stacks, and hardware substrates as the default path forward: We need workloads and architectures shaped together to head into a decade where AI is not only bigger, but also more sustainable.
This mission provides a compass for the entire stack. By defining and prototyping novel systems early, we accelerate the discovery of system-level constraints and trade-offs and create pathways for sustainable, scalable AI.
We aim to:
- push the boundaries of AI with fundamentally new models and learning paradigms.
- define and prototype next-generation AI systems aligned with future societal and technological needs.
- co-optimize algorithms and hardware architectures to address emerging system challenges.
- deliver impactful breakthroughs grounded in demonstrators and real-world utility.
- build a world-leading AI research ecosystem that attracts exceptional talent.
Our foundational pillars
- Frontier research — we work on the fundamentals: the math and physics of intelligence.
- Open source — we release models and prototypes publicly when possible so others can build on our work.
- Impact-driven — our work is validated by its effect on applications that matter to people, including healthcare and intelligent infrastructure.
- Fun and trust — breakthroughs come from teams of researchers and engineers that enjoy their day-to-day work, evolving in a safe environment where members take care of each other.
We build as well as publish: the lab develops influential research together with first-of-a-kind prototypes and demonstrators that turn vision into tangible impact.
Our work methodology
Our methodology is built around fast, iterative, and prototype-driven research cycles. We operate in an incubation mode designed for focus, speed, and novelty creation while building long-term scientific impact.
At the center of our workflow are 4-week milestone cycles. These short loops enable continuous reassessment, early identification of promising directions, and rapid termination of unproductive paths. We prioritize both fundamental and applied problems that are currently unsolvable with existing technologies.
A key methodological focus is the development of deep reinforcement learning-based multi-agent systems that integrate autonomous agents with human operators. This supports advances in domains such as design, sensing, and compiler technologies.
We follow a prototype-first philosophy: prototypes are validation tools, communication assets, and vehicles for user feedback. Publications are outcomes of milestone-driven progress rather than primary targets.
Join us
We’re hiring researchers and engineers who want to work at the intersection of hardware and software, with the backing of a strong institute and the chance to shape a new lab from the start.
- Hardware meets software — deep-tech hardware research and open-source software in one place.
- Shape the lab — join early and help set values and scientific direction.
Explore our projects and team.
Contact: ludovic.denoyer@imec.be
About imec
Imec is a world-leading center for research and innovation in nanoelectronics and digital technologies. We translate deep scientific research into real-world value and provide the hardware backbone of the digital world. Our ecosystem spans advanced semiconductor research, system technology co-optimization, and partnerships across industry and academia—so work on AI at imec is never “software only”: it sits on top of decades of process, packaging, and chiplet know-how.
Learn more on imec’s international site.