STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As artificial intelligence continues to creep into all industries and facets of life, New York is investing hundreds of millions of dollars to remain at the forefront of the latest technology.
On Thursday, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced plans to expand the research and utilization of artificial intelligence on State University of New York (SUNY) campuses, building on previous efforts to expand artificial intelligence research in the state, including the recent establishment of the Empire AI consortium.
“We are not waiting to start bringing the power of AI to our students,” Hochul said. “Empire AI will position New York at the forefront of this burgeoning industry, with SUNY students pioneering the research that will transform the way that New Yorkers live their lives for the better.”
The state will launch the Innovative Network for SUNY’s Pioneering AI Research and Excellence Center, or SUNY INSPIRE Center, to scale artificial intelligence research and attract federal research grants at University at Albany, Binghamton University, University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University.
Select SUNY campuses will also create designated Departments and Centers of AI and Society, designed to increase community involvement in artificial intelligence research and address any ethical concerns that may arise with the developing technology.
The Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund will create 45 paid summer research internships for SUNY students looking to work with artificial intelligence in ways that serve the public good.
Additionally, all SUNY students will have access to a chatbot that will help develop projects and provide on-demand artificial intelligence-based tutoring services around the clock.
“Governor Hochul is setting the stage for New York State to capitalize on artificial intelligence, bringing forth innovation in education, driving research, and empowering economic leadership in this global space. SUNY researchers and faculty are poised to support this work—with significant New York State investment and resources in the Empire AI consortium and the SUNY INSPIRE Center—and SUNY system and our campuses are eager to proceed with this technology, ethically and strategically,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr.
The Empire AI consortium, funded by over $400 million in public and private investment, will allow some of the state’s top research institutions to work collaboratively on pushing the bounds of artificial intelligence.
The group’s founding institutions include Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the State University of New York, the City University of New York and the Flatiron Institute.
“AI is proving to be one of the most revolutionary technologies of our lifetime. New York is making investments to ensure the state is a leader in these innovations, all with a focus on ethical applications. Today’s announcement complements Governor Hochul’s Empire AI initiative by further empowering the state’s world-class university system to pursue responsible advancements in AI to create the jobs of tomorrow, and attract investments to New York,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight.
