Eight State University of New York campuses are developing departments, centers, and institutes of AI and Society to engage diverse disciplines and communities, broaden AI development to prepare students for the future, and advance the use of AI for the public good. According to Governor Kathy Hochul, through this program, the state has provided $5 million in funding to foster collaboration across disciplines to promote inclusive AI research, address ethical concerns in the use of AI, and advance responsible data use.
“The progression of AI research in New York State is going to inspire other states to follow our path,” Governor Hochul said. “Investing in AI within the SUNY system is an investment in our students to expand their knowledge about what the future will bring. We are not just preparing students for AI – we’re shaping how AI serves society, ensuring it strengthens communities and our economy.”
Investments announced Monday will launch the following projects:
- University at Albany- Launching a new AI & Society College & Research Center
- Binghamton University- Creating the Institute for AI and Society
- University at Buffalo- Creating the Department of AI and Society
- SUNY Downstate- Establishing the Global Center for AI, Society and Mental Health
- SUNY ESF- Establishing the Center for Artificial Intelligence, Society, and the Environment (AISE) (seed funding)
- SUNY Poly- Developing an Institute for AI and Society (seed funding)
- Stony Brook University- Creating the Department of Technology, AI and Society
- Upstate Medical- Forming the AI for Health Equity, Analytics, and Diagnostics (AHEAD) Center (seed funding)
Projects are up and running at the first “alpha” phase of the Empire AI computing center, housed at University at Buffalo (UB) and Empire AI brings together researchers from SUNY’s four University Centers – the University at Albany, Binghamton University, UB, and Stony Brook University – as well as the City University of New York, Cornell University, Columbia University, New York University, the Flatiron Institute, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Governor Hochul’s yet-to-be-passed Executive Budget provides additional resources to expand Empire AI’s computing capacity and provide additional computing resources for SUNY researchers. Early SUNY projects include:
- Binghamton University is conducting research on large language models and antisemitism on social media in order to detect hateful content. Another project is on 3D foundation models for high-throughput characterization of metal-organic frameworks for climate change applications.
- A team at UB is working on a comprehensive solution to characterize and treat every disease.
- Stony Brook University researchers have a project on transforming how vaccines are developed by creating an innovative AI-driven platform for antigen design.
In addition, SUNY has also updated its General Education Framework to incorporate AI as part of the Information Literacy core competency.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, SUNY researchers, faculty, and students are leading the way in using AI to advance the public good. SUNY’s commitment to academic excellence includes making it possible for students from a wide range of disciplines to come together, explore new ideas, and develop the skills that will lead to lifelong success.”
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