Tompkins Cortland Community College is joining a statewide partnership aimed at expanding access to artificial intelligence education and research for students and faculty across the State University of New York system.
The initiative, known as the Empire AI campus partnerships, was recently announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul. It connects SUNY’s four university centers — Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Stony Brook — with smaller colleges and community colleges to promote the educational use of artificial intelligence.
The partnerships will use the Empire AI supercomputer, housed at the University at Buffalo, to support research, professional development, and new learning opportunities for students and faculty.
Under the program, TC3 will partner with Binghamton University and several other SUNY campuses to develop a free, online, non-credit microcredential called AI Prep for Careers. The program is designed to introduce students to basic artificial intelligence concepts, workforce applications and ethical considerations.
“Through Empire AI, New York is ensuring the power of AI is harnessed responsibly,” Hochul said. “By bringing together SUNY institutions through these campus partnerships, we are furthering the use of AI for the public good and shaping a brighter future for all New Yorkers.”
TC3 Professor of Computer Science Ken Whitener is leading the college’s participation in the project.
“We are pleased to be partnering with Binghamton University on this initiative, which we see as a tremendous benefit to our students,” Whitener said. “AI continues to redefine both the world we live in and the future we are preparing our students for.”
Other colleges in the partnership include SUNY Cortland, SUNY Delhi, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Broome Community College.
