Suffolk Reporter

Stony Brook University recently announced the launch of its new AI Innovation Institute (AI3), expanding the Institute for AI-Driven Discovery and Innovation established in 2018 from a department-level institute within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences to a university-wide endeavor.

AI3 Interim Director Steve Skiena, a distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science, led a virtual Town Hall on September 11 to discuss Stony Brook’s AI initiative in more detail. Skiena began by noting that AI is not limited only to high-tech disciplines but is pervasive technology that affects everybody.

“Besides the people who work in core and foundational areas of AI, there’s also a world where these tools are revolutionary, changing the way people do business in all disciplines,” said Skiena. “The vision for the AI Innovation Institute is to serve both sides.”

Highlighting the growing prominence of AI, driven by groundbreaking tools such as ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies, Skiena said AI is now integrated into every facet of our lives, from healthcare to education, and continues to expand. He emphasized Stony Brook’s unique position to lead in AI innovation, thanks to its world-class faculty and research centers that are already renowned nationally and internationally for their contributions to AI.

Central to the Town Hall discussion was the announcement of the university’s ambitious plan to establish and develop AI3. “The goal of AI3 is to promote AI, stimulate research, attract funding, and make Stony Brook a more attractive place for AI-oriented students and faculty,” said Skiena.

Now reporting directly to the Office of the Provost, AI3 is designed to accelerate, coordinate, and enhance AI innovation and education across the entire Stony Brook campus, across departments and disciplines.

Skiena said AI3 will focus on three core pillars: “There is a research component, an education component, and a services component,” he said. “Research is the biggest of these three pillars.” Skiena stressed that the institute will not be an academic department.

One key announcement from the Town Hall was launching the AI Seed Grant program. The initiative will provide financial support for interdisciplinary AI projects across three distinct tracks: Collaboratory Research in AI; Technical Support for Discipline-Centric Research; and Seed Grants for AI Education and Service. The grants aim to inspire collaborations between computational AI experts and faculty from non-technical fields focusing on solving complex problems across all areas of study.

“The AI Seed Grant program is expected to fund at least six projects in its first year with a focus on initiatives that could lead to larger funding opportunities,” said Skiena.

Stony Brook’s participation in New York State’s Empire State Development's broader efforts was another key point of discussion. As part of this initiative, the university will contribute alongside programs such as SUNY STRIVE for Artificial Intelligence (AI)and IBM's partnership with SUNY system called SUNY IBM Alliance.

Skiena also discussed constructing a NeuroAI building as part of a reimagined engineering complex. With a scheduled completion date of 2027,the building will house computer labs with offices for faculty staff graduate students post-doctoral students

As interim director Skienahas already begun laying foundationfor future success hiring support staff preparing next phase under permanent director A national search inaugural director currently underway committee co-chaired by Robert Harrison professor Applied Mathematics Statistics director Institute Advanced Computational Science

With establishment launch active role statewide initiatives university dares lead way future

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— Beth Squire & Robert Emproto

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