Stony Brook University has secured a $5 million investment from New York State to reshape its Department of Technology and Society into the newly proposed Department of Technology, AI and Society. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the funding, which will be spread over the next three years, as part of an initiative to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) studies and applications.
The investment aims to fund faculty recruitment, research, internships, and fellowships, as well as procure new technology. The new department will also explore AI's societal impact, according to Carl W. Lejuez, Stony Brook's executive vice president and provost. Lejuez highlighted the university's role as a "flagship and top public university," stating that the department will be a "first-choice destination for faculty and students who will lead the responsible shaping of the societal impact of artificial intelligence."
Andrew C. Singer, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, described the department's interdisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise from fields such as computer science, medicine, psychology, political science, and philosophy. He expressed enthusiasm about its potential growth and impact on the campus ecosystem.
The Provost’s Office and the CEAS Dean’s Office are currently working on establishing the department through various working groups. They aim to propose new undergraduate and graduate programs to attract students both nationally and internationally.
Klaus Mueller, interim chair of the Department of Technology and Society, emphasized the transformative impact of AI on how the world is experienced and explored. He regards the development as a chance to expand and innovate within the existing department.
Stony Brook is part of a broader state initiative, receiving funding alongside seven other SUNY campuses to promote AI-focused departments or institutes. Governor Hochul expressed expectations that New York State's focus on AI research will inspire similar efforts nationwide. She sees the investment as not only educational but as a means to shape AI's role in society and strengthen local communities and the economy.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. praised Governor Hochul's dedication, noting that the SUNY system's approach to AI is aligned with academic excellence and public good advancement.