Stony Brook University’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT), in collaboration with the New York State Digital Equity Network (NYSDEN), hosted the second annual NYSDEN Conference on August 5. The event, titled “Advancing Access Through Collective Advocacy,” aimed to address digital inclusion across New York State.
More than 100 participants attended, representing elected officials, nonprofit leaders, workforce and healthcare professionals, digital equity practitioners, funders, and municipal agencies. The conference featured talks from experts and panel discussions covering topics such as funding, artificial intelligence (AI), accessibility, workforce integration, and coalition-building. Organizers emphasized the need for collective advocacy and policy support to bridge gaps in digital access.
Michael Kinch, Chief Innovation Officer at Stony Brook University, highlighted ongoing research at the institution: “We have a lot going on in AI research at Stony Brook, but we’re actually pioneering the world in quantum internet, which is the next generation of internet,” said Kinch. “Even though we are in difficult times, we’ve doubled down on our commitment to address these challenges.”
Revati Prasad, executive director of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and keynote speaker at the event, discussed the broader implications of digital inequity: “Digital equity is not a technological challenge, it is a political one,” said Prasad. “The communities most affected by the digital divide — Black, brown, indigenous, low-income, rural people with disabilities — are the same communities that have long been underrepresented in decision-making spaces. It’s not just that broadband hasn’t been built in these communities. It’s that the people who live there haven’t had a voice in how policy is made, or in how resources are allocated, or in what success looks like.”
Josh Breitbart from ConnectALL at Empire State Development addressed infrastructure developments: “We’ve already built thousands of miles of new fiberoptic infrastructure that reaches from the urban areas to the most rural areas, and we’re working to serve the remaining locations in the state that do not have a reliable connection,” said Breitbart. “There’s also an equally essential social component to the infrastructure so that everyone is engaged with and contributing to the internet, and benefiting from it for education, economic opportunity, health, access to government services, and civic engagement. That is digital equity.”
The ConnectALL initiative—mandated by state legislation—oversees New York’s statewide digital equity plan and manages more than $1 billion in public investments focused on underserved areas.
Breitbart further commented on current priorities: “The work that you do to close the digital divide has never been more important as AI quantum technologies accelerate technological transformation,” he said. “It is truly a mistake that digital equity is not a priority at the federal level, but digital equity is a priority for the state of New York.”
A panel during the morning session explored AI integration within nonprofit organizations. Liam Albright from Cornell University stressed urgency around AI adoption: “It isn’t necessarily a question of whether organizations are ready and willing,” said Albright. “There’s such a massive push for AI tools that they have to be ready. Everything from Microsoft and Amazon and Google incorporates AI at almost every level of those products. So the time is now.”
CJ Banks of Villa Maria College compared organizational readiness for AI implementation to parenthood: “Asking if you’re ready to engage AI is almost like asking if you are ready to be a parent,” said Banks. “So the question is not if they’re ready but are they willing? Because there’s got to be a lot of learning…Because if we’re not ready as organizations then the communities that need us are not going to be ready either.”
Attendees received insights into rapid changes affecting technology access.
Matthew Salzano from Stony Brook’s School of Communication and Journalism reflected on New York’s leadership role: “As someone new to the digital equity space it was inspiring to learn about leadership New York state has taken in digital equity efforts across access adoption literacy…My hope is that Stony Brook continues to be a key part of this coalition especially as AI will continue to change how we relate to technology—with inequitable impacts.”
Kinch shared his personal perspective about equitable access stemming from his childhood experiences: “But I had access to television which gave me access to Schoolhouse Rock,” he said. “…Back then it was Schoolhouse Rock but now it’s internet access…that helps deliver knowledge…And knowledge truly is power.”
Rong Zhao of CEWIT emphasized opportunities created by emerging technologies: “AI is reshaping every corner of our daily lives…and as educators we must meet this moment by opening doors through opportunities like hackathons robotics camps…and hands-on learning experiences…The promise of AI will only be realized if we commit to equity…”
