Purdue University

Purdue graduate student Megha Bisht recently attended the 2025 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco with support from the university’s Women in High-Performance Computing group.

Bisht, a first-year student in the Master of Engineering Management program, said the experience was both inspiring and eye-opening.

“The energy, creativity and innovation in every session and booth were contagious,” Bisht says. “Being surrounded by passionate individuals who are redefining what’s possible in the gaming world was truly motivating.”

A highlight of the conference for Bisht was the session “AI in Games Won’t Work Like You Expect,” presented by representatives from Inworld AI, Little Umbrella and Wishroll. The panel explored the technical and operational challenges of integrating artificial intelligence into live games and highlighted how studios have optimized performance and cost at scale.

“What stood out to me was how studios like Little Umbrella and Wishroll scaled AI-powered games to millions of users by reducing AI costs by up to 95% while still delivering high-quality, responsive gameplay,” she says. “It deepened my understanding of product design, infrastructure and player experience and gave me a clearer view of where I’d like to grow professionally.”

She emphasizes that the support from Purdue’s WHPC was instrumental in making the experience possible.

“Without the scholarship, attending GDC would have been financially challenging,” says Bisht. “Beyond covering travel expenses, WHPC made me feel valued as a woman aspiring to make an impact in tech and gaming. It gave me the confidence to fully engage and take advantage of the opportunities at the conference.”

Though this was her first involvement with WHPC or the Rosen Center for Advanced Computing (RCAC), Bisht said the experience left a lasting impact.

“I would absolutely recommend the WHPC scholarship program to other Purdue students,” she says. “It’s more than financial assistance—it’s a gateway to professional growth; transformative experiences and a supportive community that wants to see you succeed.”

Purdue’s Women in High-Performance Computing group is part of RCAC and supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers and research in advanced computing fields.

To learn more about Purdue Women in HPC or be added to the mailing list, contact whpc@purdue.edu.