Cognition, Agency, & Intelligence

ABOUT US

The Cognition, Agency, and Intelligence Center (CAIC) uses cutting edge cognitive science to understand different kinds of intelligent agents and the real-world consequences of their actions.

- Cognition: thinking, learning, and other forms of high-level information processing
- Agency: acting, initiating and taking actions in the pursuit of specific aims and outcomes
- Intelligence: using cognition to act successfully

Cognitive science is inherently interdisciplinary. Cognitive scientists recognize that minds may be realized in a range media, and are well-equipped to study their capacities in any of the variety of forms they might take, both natural and artificial. CAIC fosters the interdisciplinary study of thinking, action, and intelligence in all their diverse forms.
A discussion taking place in a classroom.

CAIC LAUNCH EVENT

Cognition Agency Intelligence - April 2-3, 2026 - Purdue Memorial Union - East Faculty Lounge

COGNITION
AGENCY
INTELLIGENCE
CONFERENCE

April 2-3, 2026
Purdue Memorial Union

Schedule of events can be found HERE.

Space is limited:

Please RSVP using this LINK

Poster contents:
Cognition Agency Intelligence
Interdisciplinary Conference in Cognitive Science
April 2-3, 2026
Purdue Memorial Union, East Faculty Lounge
Please visit our website for event details
Grace Lindsay, New York University, Psychology & Neural Sciences
Jenann Ismael, John Hopkins University, Philosophy
Colin Allen, UC Santa Barbara, Philosophy
Gregor Schöner, Ruhr University Bochum, Institute for Neuroscience
Judith Fan, Stanford University, Psychology
Leslie Valiant, Harvard University, School of Engineering & Applied Sciences
Chandra Sripada, University of Michigan, Philosophy
Shaun Nichols, Cornell University, Philosophy
Purdue University | Cognition, Agency and Intelligence Center
CAIC.CENTERS.PURDUE.EDU

New Cognitive Science major

A digital render of microscopic neurons.

New Cognitive Science major

Cognitive Science at Purdue

The brand new Bachelor of Arts degree in Cognitive Science is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary program designed to explore the intricate workings of the human mind and intelligence. Through a combination of philosophy, psychology, computer science, biology, linguistics, behavioral economics, and more, this program offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the mechanisms underlying perception, learning, memory, decision-making, language, and problem-solving.

Artificial Intelligence major

An electric, robotic AI hand on the left, and a human hand on the right, both reaching towards the center, and both touching a brain in the center with their index fingers. The brain is one half electronic and one half organic. Highly stylized.

Artificial Intelligence major

AI at Purdue

Human and machine interactions are evolving fast — just ask Siri or Alexa. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in artificial intelligence (AI), explore how technology, big data and AI are shaping the world — and what it means to build technology responsibly. If you’re drawn to big questions and proficient in calculus, this major lets you dive into issues like privacy, bias and the ethics behind algorithms while gaining programming and data skills employers want. Blend computer science with eight specialized philosophy courses to build a strong technical foundation and a deep understanding of the human side of AI.