Electrification Revolution in the AI Era

Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai

Current Positions & Chair Professorships

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University: Chair Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU): Yushan Fellow and Lifetime Chair Professor, International College of Semiconductor Technology.

Honors & Fellowships

National Academy of Inventors: Elected Fellow.

International Academy of Artificial Intelligence: Fellow.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): Life Fellow.

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Date:2026/5/27

Time:14:30 - 16:00

Venue:International Conference Room (Jiao 202), Education Building

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Agenda

• 14:00 - 14:30
  Registration
• 14:30 - 16:00
  Distinguished Lecture & Interactive Q&A

Abstract

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), as the most promising technology that revolutionizes the world in the 21st century, is facing significant challenge on its electric power supplies. With computing, reasoning, and deep learning capabilities continue to grow exponentially, the AI graphical processor units (GPUs) power demands also proportionally increase, and thus challenging the existing electrical system infrastructure. The first challenge demanded by the AI industry is to change the traditional AC distribution system that was established and demonstrated by Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse over 135 years ago to an 800-V DC distribution system. The second challenge is to replace the high-voltage AC transformers with a new-generation solid-state transformer that can provide 800-V DC directly from the utility grid. The combination of these two recent challenges allows the data center rack power capability to go from traditional 10’s of kilowatts to 100’s of kilowatts and with the goal of megawatts in a near future. The “current war” between AC and DC camps that happened over a century ago is now entering the revolutionary stage with the AI push. This talk will give the overview of such an electrification revolution and discuss the future power electronics technology innovations.

About the speaker

• Dr. Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai is the James S. Tucker endowed Chair Professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. He was a visiting professor at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. Currently, he is also a Yushan Fellow and Lifetime Chair Professor of National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU).
• He is an elected Fellow of National Academy of Inventors (NAI), Fellow of International Academy of Artificial Intelligence Science (AAIS), and Life Fellow of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE).
• His research areas are mainly in high-power power-electronics technologies and wide bandgap semiconductor applications including the EV traction motor drive system, high-voltage solid-state transformers, bidirectional chargers, and EV fast charging systems.
• Prof. Lai has published over 540 refereed papers, owned more than 30 patents, received more than 44,600 citations and H-index of 90 in the Google Scholar.
• URL: www.feec.ece.vt.edu