Thanks to a historic academic gift – the largest in University history – Binghamton is poised to become a national leader in responsible artificial intelligence.
A record-setting $55 million commitment from a Binghamton University alumnus and New York state will establish the Center for AI Responsibility and Research, the first-ever independent AI research center at a public university in the U.S. Research conducted via the new center will build upon Binghamton research that advances AI for the public good.
Part of the Empire AI project, an initiative to establish New York as 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 and vice chairman of Bloomberg LP, who is a key private sector partner and philanthropist involved in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s Empire AI consortium. This will be coupled with a $25 million capital investment from Gov. Hochul and the New York State Legislature.
“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,” 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 the technology influences everything we do, we need to be just as nimble in making sure AI works for New Yorkers safely and responsibly,” Gov. Hochul said. “The Center for AI Responsibility and Research will be that independent arm of research that gives New Yorkers transparency to ensure AI is used for the public good.”
Binghamton University is one of the first members of the Empire AI Consortium, whose campus researchers are using Empire Alpha, the supercomputer housed at the State University of New York at Buffalo, until the full-scale Empire AI computing is completed. Binghamton has 10 projects approved, led by faculty researchers and their students utilizing Empire Alpha and working to advance AI for the public good in New York.
“SUNY is on the move, and thanks to Gov. Hochul and our State Legislature, and private donors like Tom Secunda, our talented faculty members and students are being equipped with a top-tier independent research environment to support our efforts and move New York forward,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “This historic investment is part of Governor Hochul’s ongoing commitment to double research at SUNY and ensure we are at the cutting edge of emerging technologies, including AI. There’s truly no better place for this work than right here in the SUNY family.”
The center will build upon the research of Binghamton faculty, who are using machine learning and data science to solve real-world challenges – everything from delivering better healthcare to improving information security. Most recently, Yu Chen, professor of electrical and computer engineering, won $50,000 from the SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF) to support the development of technology that flags deepfake content and AI images.
“Responsible AI is about making technology that we can trust, and our SUNY campuses have the best tools to offer our outstanding faculty and aspiring student researchers,” said the SUNY Board of Trustees. “Our deep thanks to Gov. Hochul, state leaders and Tom Secunda for their outstanding commitment to AI research and innovation.”
