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Leading the Charge in AI Innovation

September 5, 2024

Dear Stony Brook Community, 

Rarely a day goes by without AI making headlines, propelled by advancements in generative AI tools like ChatGPT in recent years. The applications for AI are numerous and growing rapidly, with potential to affect all corners of our personal, learning and working lives. At the same time, in recognition of these developments, the state and SUNY are making significant investments with initiatives like Empire AI, SUNY STRIVE for AI, and the SUNY IBM Alliance. 

At Stony Brook, we are well-positioned to take a leadership role in these developments. We are home to faculty and research centers and institutes that are renowned nationally and internationally for their work in AI. As such, I am pleased to share updates on efforts to enhance Stony Brook’s capabilities as a leader in AI research and application. 

Launching a University-Wide AI Innovation Institute

Last spring, the Office of the Provost led a group of over 30 faculty, staff, and administrators to consider how we can expand and leverage our strengths in AI research and discovery. The resulting recommendation was to launch a university-wide AI Innovation Institute (AI3), which would expand the Institute for AI-driven Discovery and Innovation established in 2018 from a department-level institute within the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) to the university-wide AI Innovation Institute reporting to the provost.

As a university-wide enterprise, the AI Innovation Institute (AI3) is intended to accelerate, coordinate and organize AI innovation and education across Stony Brook. The institute will serve to empower the entire university community and beyond, catalyzing core AI research, curriculum innovation, and societal change in the ever-evolving landscape of knowledge work.

Interim Director Named, National Search Launched

As a first step toward establishing the AI Innovation Institute, we are launching a national search to identify the inaugural director. The search will be co-chaired by Steve Skiena (a distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science and director of the Institute for AI-driven Discovery and Innovation), and Robert Harrison (professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics and Director of the Institute for Advanced Computational Science; IACS). The broader search committee membership draws from diverse departments and disciplines across our institution, as well as a representative from Brookhaven National Laboratory. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive search process for our visionary AI leader. The full search committee membership can be viewed on the Provost’s Office website. National search firm Opus Partners will support the committee in this search

While we conduct the search, Dr. Skiena has agreed to serve as the interim director of the university-wide institute. As interim director, Dr. Skiena will focus on efforts that will establish a basic framework for the institute’s operations so the inaugural director will be able to begin immediately with implementing vision and strategy to elevate the institute. Interim Director Skiena will begin hiring staff support for the institute, as well as oversee internal funding to support projects developed by teams of faculty/staff. 

AI Seed Grant Opportunity

In line with our commitment to advancing AI, AI3 Interim Director Skiena will soon announce an AI Seed Grant opportunity designed to support collaborative AI projects across three tracks: Collaboratory Research in AI, Technical Support for Discipline-Centric Research, and Seed Grants for AI Education and Service. The grant will provide funding to facilitate innovative projects and further integrate AI into research and education. Please stay tuned for the official announcement and detailed guidelines regarding the seed grant application process.

AI Town Hall

We are also excited to announce and invite you to an AI Town Hall, led by AI3 Interim Director Skiena. This open house will provide an overview of the major AI initiatives on campus, including the new AI Seed Grant program and Stony Brook’s role in New York State's Empire AI program. The session will include time for questions and discussion about the future of AI at Stony Brook.

    AI Town Hall
    Wednesday, September 11, 2024
    1 to 2 p.m.
    New Computer Science, Room 120 or Zoom
    Click here to add the event to your calendar

I look forward to your participation and engaging discussions as we work together to shape the future of AI at Stony Brook.

Sincerely,
Carl

Carl Lejuez
Provost and Executive Vice President