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 impacts not only high-tech disciplines but is pervasive technology affecting everyone.
“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 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: research, education, and services. “Research is the biggest of these three pillars,” he stated. He 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 to 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 AI program was another key point of discussion. As part of this initiative, the university will contribute to the state’s broader efforts to establish itself as a leader in AI research and application alongside programs such as SUNY STRIVE for AI and SUNY IBM Alliance.
Skiena also discussed constructing a NeuroAI building as part of a reimagined engineering complex. With a scheduled completion date of 2027, it will house computer labs with offices for faculty, staff, graduate students, and post-doctoral students.
As interim director, Skiena has already begun laying the foundation for future success by hiring support staff and preparing the institute for its next phase under a permanent director. A national search for this inaugural director is currently underway with a committee co-chaired by Skiena and Robert Harrison—professor of Applied Mathematics and Statistics—and director of the Institute for Advanced Computational Science.
With establishing AA3—the launch of the AA Seed Grant program—and Stony Brook's active role in statewide AA initiatives—the university aims towards leading future AA advancements.
“AA is going impact how we teach—and what we teach—it’s important advance efforts here” said Skiena “AA providing new opportunities some things do at university better”
— Beth Squire & Robert Emproto