When solar-powered libraries meet edge-powered AI, you don’t just bridge the digital divide — you step right over it.
Two teams at Arizona State University — ASU Next Lab and the ASU SolarSPELL Initiative — are working together to bring AI-enabled learning to communities around the world where connectivity and electricity are not guaranteed.
Bringing AI to the Edge
At Next Lab, student innovators have developed EDge AI, an offline engine that runs AI experiences locally on low-power devices. These systems don’t rely on the internet or the cloud, making them uniquely suited for places where access to technology remains limited.
EDge AI enables:
- Offline AI experiences for learning and translation
- Low-power and portable deployment across devices
- Localized content and adaptive learning support
A Partnership for Global Learning Access
Through this new collaboration, EDge AI is being integrated into SolarSPELL’s solar-powered digital libraries, which are already transforming access to education in remote regions.
SolarSPELL’s model combines solar energy, offline digital resources, and community-centered design to make education possible anywhere sunlight reaches. Now, with AI embedded at the edge, these libraries can also support interactive, intelligent learning experiences that respond to local languages, needs, and cultures.
“Together, we’re building systems that don’t just bring technology to people — they meet people where they are, powered by sunlight and imagination.”
This collaboration represents the next step in ASU’s charter commitment to accessibility and innovation, ensuring that education and technology serve every learner, everywhere.
Empower 2025: Technology in Action
The partnership was recently showcased at Empower 2025, where over 500 technology professionals from across ASU gathered to explore how digital innovation can enhance the student, faculty, and community experience. The initiative reflects ASU’s broader effort to connect sustainability, design, and equity in every layer of its technology ecosystem.
Learn More
🔗 EDge AI from ASU Next Lab → https://nextlab.asu.edu/edge-ai/
🔗 ASU SolarSPELL Initiative → https://solarspell.org/
🎥 Watch the story → https://youtu.be/LQH0eHHEAlU
