Binghamton University has received the largest academic gift in its history, establishing the Center for AI Responsibility and Research — the first independent AI research center at a public university in the United States.
The $30 million philanthropic gift comes from a group of donors led by Tom Secunda, a Binghamton University alumnus and co-founder of Bloomberg LP, who also serves as the independent chair of the Empire AI consortium board. The gift is complemented by a $25 million research capital investment from SUNY, supporting advanced infrastructure and cutting-edge artificial intelligence research.
The new center is expected to position Binghamton University at the forefront of AI research and innovation, advancing both academic inquiry and practical applications in emerging technologies.
Binghamton University President Anne D’Alleva said, “The Center for AI Responsibility and Research will bring together innovative research and scholarship, ethical leadership, and public engagement at a moment when all three are urgently needed. I am deeply grateful to Governor Hochul and the State Legislature for their visionary support, and to Tom Secunda for his extraordinary generosity and continued commitment to his alma mater. Together, we are creating a research environment that ensures AI will strengthen communities, build our economy, and earn the public’s trust.”
