Stony Brook University is launching the AI Innovation Institute (AI3), an expansion of its Institute for AI-driven Discovery and Innovation, established in 2018. The new institute will report directly to the provost and aims to enhance the university's leadership in AI research and application.
Provost and Executive Vice President Carl Lejuez announced the launch on September 5 via email to the university community. Last spring, over 30 faculty, staff, and administrators were led by the Office of the Provost to explore how to expand Stony Brook’s strengths in AI research. The recommendation was to establish AI3, aligning with recent investments by New York State and SUNY through initiatives like Empire AI, SUNY STRIVE for AI, and the SUNY IBM Alliance.
“As a university-wide enterprise, the AI Innovation Institute (AI3) is intended to accelerate, coordinate and organize AI innovation and education across Stony Brook,” Lejuez stated. “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.”
A national search will be conducted to find the inaugural director of AI3. The search will be co-chaired by Steve Skiena, distinguished professor in the Department of Computer Science and director of the Institute for AI-driven Discovery and Innovation, along with Robert Harrison, professor in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics and director of the Institute for Advanced Computational Science (IACS). The committee includes members from diverse departments across Stony Brook as well as a representative from Brookhaven National Laboratory. National search firm Opus Partners will support this process.
Skiena will also serve as interim director until a permanent leader is appointed. “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,” Lejuez explained. Skiena's initial tasks include hiring staff support for AI3 and overseeing internal funding for projects developed by faculty/staff teams.
An upcoming announcement will detail an AI Seed Grant opportunity designed to support collaborative projects across three tracks: Collaboratory Research in AI, Technical Support for Discipline-Centric Research, and Seed Grants for AI Education and Service. This grant aims to fund innovative projects integrating AI into research and education.
Additionally, an AI Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 11 from 1 pm to 2 pm in New Computer Science Room 120 and via Zoom. Led by Skiena, this event will cover major campus AI initiatives including details about the new seed grant program and Stony Brook’s involvement in New York State’s Empire AI program. The session will allow time for questions regarding Stony Brook's future in AI.