AI and World Models: B2Twin
Goals
Explore the co-evolution of human and machine intelligence
Biosphere 2 is the world’s largest and most complex controlled environment, continuously evolving over the past 35 years. This VIP (and associated course) offers a unique and unprecedented opportunity to create a Digital Twin of such a complex system for the first time. By modeling the intricate interactions of Biosphere 2’s diverse biomes and engineered infrastructure, students will gain hands-on experience in advancing digital twin methodologies, data integration, and systems-level understanding of coupled natural and human-made environments.
Digital twins open up modeled space based on our physical realities. Our VIP team centered on creating a Biosphere 2 digital twin (B2Twin) encourages hands-on exploration and problem solving on the frontiers of AI, XR, and Robotics. We challenge you to think like a technologist.
Unlike traditional coursework, you won't study the future—you'll build it. Working alongside a transdisciplinary team of innovators, you'll contribute to a real-world product that has profound implications for predicting the response of Earth systems to future changes, sustainable technology, and improving our understanding of complex living systems.
Our plans for 2026 include students spending a transformative week one-site at Biosphere 2, living in the Biosphere 2 Casitas, and working directly with the facility's seven biomes while building lifelong bonds with your cohort.
Issues Involved or Addressed:
These are questions we seek to answer:
- How can we rapidly prototype and bring to market a scientifically rigorous virtual replica of Biosphere 2's built environment, its sensors and living biomes?
- What are the implications for humans and our natural world of artificial intelligence with spatial awareness, mobility, and autonomy?
- How can we make science and technology more understandable through communications?
Methods and Tech
- NVIDIA Omniverse for industrial metaverse development
- NVIDIA Cosmos for world foundation models
- Unreal Engine 5 for photorealistic environmental visualization
- Cursor AI IDE for AI-assisted development
- GitHub for professional collaborative workflows
- LiDAR & Photogrammetry systems for 3D capture
- Digital Twin Pipeline Platforms for real-time data integration
- Python & Node.js for backend agent development
- Industrial IoT Sensors for real-time environmental monitoring
- Studio and location film equipment for recording and live streaming
- Adobe Creative Cloud apps and Media Asset Management for postproduction
Academic Majors of Interest
Open to all majors, with particular interest in:
- Honors College
- Computer Science
- Computer Engineering
- Information Science
- Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Product Development, Marketing & Entrepreneurship
- Agriculture and Environmental Science
- Architecture, Planning, Landscape Architecture
- Film and Television
- Journalism
Preferred Interests and Preparation
Skills:
- Generative AI and LLMs
- Application Program Interface
- Database
- 3D Modeling and Game Design
- Business
- Film, Television, Media Arts
Attributes:
- Total commitment to team cohesion
- Intellectual curiosity
- Independent
- Motivated
- Interested in the co-evolution of machine and human intelligence
Application Process
If you are a W.A. Franke Honors College Student and would like to be considered for this project, please fill out this interest form. If you are not in the Franke Honors College, but would like to be considered for B2Twin, please fill out the VIP Interest Form and select "AI and World Models: B2 Twin."
Additional Information:
Fall 2025 Weekly Structure (For students selected as art of the initial leadership cohort)
● Weeks 1-5: Foundations in digital twin theory, Biosphere 2 systems, and core technologies
● Weeks 6-14: Project sprints with your team, developing specific components
● Week 15: Showcase and integration into the B2Twin system
Honors Program Alignments:
● Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation (BCII)
● Future Earth Resilience Minor
● Quest Project
● Honors Thesis
● Spring 2026 Study Away
● Compton Lab Exploratory Mini-grants
Honors Multi-Semester Pathway:
● Semester 1: Foundation skills and first contribution to B2Twin
● Semester 2: Lead a sub-team, mentor new members
● Semester 3+: Drive innovation, potentially qualify for Spring Study Away
● Senior Year: Transform your work into Honors Thesis or BCII Capstone