Thanks to a historic academic gift – the largest in the university’s history – Binghamton is poised to become a national leader in responsible artificial intelligence.
A record $55 million commitment from a Binghamton University and New York State alumnus will create the Center for AI Responsibility and Research, the first-ever independent AI research center at a public university in the United States. Research conducted through the new center will build on Binghamton research that advances AI for the public good.
Part of the Empire AI Project, an initiative to make New York a leader in responsible AI research and development, the center will be supported by a $30 million commitment from Tom Secunda ’76, MA ’79, co-founder of Bloomberg LP, who is a key private sector partner and philanthropist involved in Governor Kathy Hochul’s Empire AI consortium. This will be coupled with a $25 million capital investment from Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
“The Center for AI Accountability and Research will bring together innovative research and scholarship, ethical leadership, and public engagement at a time when all three are urgently needed,” said President Anne D’Alleva. “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.”
“Artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly, and as technology influences everything we do, we must be equally agile to ensure AI works for New Yorkers safely and responsibly,” said Governor Hochul. “The Center for AI Responsibility and Research will be that independent research arm that gives New Yorkers the transparency needed to ensure AI is used for the public good.”
Binghamton University is an early member of the Empire AI Consortium, whose campus researchers use Empire Alpha, the supercomputer hosted at the State University of New York at Buffalo, until large-scale computing of Empire AI is completed. Binghamton approved 10 projects, led by university researchers and their students using Empire Alpha and working to advance AI for the public good in New York.
“SUNY is on the move, and thanks to Governor Hochul and our state legislature, as well as private donors like Tom Secunda, our talented faculty and students are equipped with a leading independent research environment to support our efforts and move New York State forward,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “This historic investment is part of Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to doubling research at SUNY and ensuring that we are at the cutting edge of emerging technologies, including AI There is truly no better place for this work than here in the SUNY family.
The center will build on the research of Binghamton faculty who use machine learning and data science to solve real-world challenges, from providing better health care to improving information security. More recently, Yu Chen, professor of electrical and computer engineering, won $50,000 from SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF) to support the development of technology that flags deepfake content and AI images.
“Responsible AI is about creating technology we can trust, and our SUNY campuses have the best tools to offer our exceptional faculty and budding student researchers,” the SUNY Board of Trustees said. “Our deep thanks to Governor Hochul, state leaders and Tom Secunda for their exceptional commitment to AI research and innovation. »