Stony Brook University announced on Apr. 14 that it is moving forward with the creation of a new Department of Technology, AI and Society (DTAS) within its College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The department is being established with $5 million in funding from the State University of New York (SUNY), reflecting an ongoing effort to expand artificial intelligence research, education, and integration across the university.
The initiative comes as part of a broader strategy to make artificial intelligence a core component at Stony Brook. University leaders say DTAS will serve as a foundation for integrating AI not only in education but also in research and operations throughout the college.
“We’ve made AI a part of a larger ecosystem at Stony Brook,” said Andrew Singer, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. “There are so many ways that AI is integrated into our College, not just in education but operations and research. We see DTAS as being foundational to everything we do in CEAS. It could end up being one of the most impactful departments in the college.”
Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost, said Stony Brook has long been active in developing AI tools across multiple departments: “With this new department, we are building on that foundation by bringing students in interdisciplinary scholarship together with leading work in the arts, humanities and social sciences to broaden both the scope and impact of our efforts.” Lejuez added: “Establishing this department that will be focused on how AI can be used ethically, objectively and in service of society is a natural next step… It is a step that we are taking following deep, thoughtful conversations with faculty and leaders across Stony Brook.”
The university plans for DTAS to begin operating in the fall after extensive planning involving faculty from various disciplines. The hiring process for a department chair is underway alongside proposals for new bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs focused on technology and artificial intelligence.
Other recent developments include expanding graduate programs related to data science—now enrolling nearly 200 students—and introducing undergraduate courses designed around data analytics, machine learning, computer vision or robotics. Overseas collaborations have also begun with SUNY Korea aimed at integrating artificial intelligence into technology systems management curricula.
Klaus Mueller—interim chair overseeing DTAS’s formation—noted: “AI is too important to leave to the computer scientists alone… In the end we want to amplify the human. We want to empower the human to be more capable.”
Research efforts continue through entities such as Stony Brook’s Institute for AI-driven Discovery & Innovation (AI3), which recently became an institute serving all university divisions. Director Lav Varshney said: “What struck me was not only strength of AI research but opportunity connect that strength across university… What is exciting …is that AI is not developing here as an isolated specialty; it is becoming part how Stony Brook researches teaches engages society.”
As part of its approach toward responsible adoption, Stony Brook Libraries have introduced credit-bearing courses covering data literacy or ethical use generative technologies while supporting workshops led by newly appointed resource librarians specializing in artificial intelligence.
“When I arrived …we deliberately decided treat AI infrastructure Libraries,” said Karim Boughida dean Libraries “This positions SBU Libraries national leader how research libraries engaging with AI.”
When launched this fall DTAS expected join wider campus-wide effort analyze importance risks emerging technologies keeping ethical considerations forefront.
