SUNY Oneonta is partnering with Binghamton University and the University at Albany to provide research experiences, professional development, microcredential courses and other opportunities for students and faculty to effectively and ethically use artificial intelligence (AI).
In late January, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that SUNY’s four university centers would be teaming up with campuses throughout the SUNY system to advance AI research and education. Empire AI, a partnership of New York campuses with $500 million in funding, will support the collaborations.
“Through Empire AI, New York is ensuring the power of AI is harnessed responsibly,” Gov. Hochul said. “By bringing together SUNY institutions through these campus partnerships, we are furthering the use of AI for the public good and shaping a brighter future for all New Yorkers.”
SUNY Oneonta – along with two regional schools, Cobleskill Ag & Tech and Hudson Valley Community College – will partner with the University at Albany to offer AI-related research opportunities for both students and faculty. SUNY Oneonta received $150,000 from Empire AI funding to support the U Albany partnership.
SUNY Oneonta is also one of several SUNY schools partnering with Binghamton University on its Advancing AI for the Public Good initiative, a comprehensive, multi-campus collaboration designed to expand AI education, research and workforce development opportunities across the SUNY system. SUNY Oneonta’s partnership with Binghamton will focus on development of an AI career prep microcredential that will connect AI literacy directly to skills employers are seeking.
“Our students will be pivotal in moving artificial intelligence forward through both its adoption and its ethical use,” said SUNY Oneonta President Alberto Cardelle. “As a campus of teacher-scholars, we create spaces to follow curiosity, ask ethical questions, and explore how this transformative technology can be applied in ways that serve society.”
The partnerships will also leverage the Empire AI supercomputer, housed at the State University of New York at Buffalo, to increase access to AI for research and professional development for SUNY students and faculty.
Project Details
The SUNY AI Partnership outlines a master plan framework consisting of three collaborative projects designed to enhance AI education and application across partner institutions. These initiatives focus on faculty training, course development and student engagement through interdisciplinary challenges. The fourth project is being offered by UAlbany’s AI & Society College and Research Center. SUNY Oneonta Chief Information Officer Steve Maniscalco will serve as secondary lead on all four projects for coordination, recruiting and communication.
AI Preparedness Academy and Faculty Learning Community
Led at Oneonta by Assistant Professor of Secondary Education and Educational Technology Gina Solano, this project employs a train-the-trainer model to build AI teaching capacity by offering a hybrid six-week course involving in-person and online sessions. Partner institutions select faculty participants and future trainers, with badges awarded upon completion. The project includes phases for planning, logistics, course delivery, and identification of trainers for the subsequent year.
Visiting/Affiliated Faculty Program
Led at Oneonta by Assistant Professor of Elementary Education and Reading Shawna Taylor, this initiative enables faculty from partner campuses to co-create AI-infused curricula and instructional materials, fostering cross-campus learning. It involves calls for applications, team building, and two in-person convenings to share projects and plan implementations for future years. Responsibilities include participant recruitment, organizing events and developing collaborative spaces.
“AI for Good” Challenge
Led at Oneonta by Assistant Professor of Secondary Education and Educational Technology Gina Solano, this annual “hackathon” brings together interdisciplinary student and faculty teams from multiple institutions to design AI solutions addressing local social challenges. The project involves planning, recruitment, securing sponsors, team formation and a culminating two-day event featuring presentations and awards. Key roles include organizing committees, judges from diverse sectors and active faculty and student participation.
AI Plus Collaborative Research Experience (AI Plus CoRE)
Led at Oneonta by Professor of Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics Sen Zhang, this program connects undergraduate students, graduate assistants and faculty in interdisciplinary AI research teams, offering credit-bearing internships, summer intensives, and mentorship to support research and graduate study pathways. Key elements include:
- Holistic AI integration approach: UAlbany's AI Plus initiative expands supercomputing capacity and combines AI & Society College and Research Center efforts to provide foundational and interdisciplinary AI education and research focused on societal impacts.
- Inclusive access for Pell-eligible students: The partners enroll substantial Pell-eligible populations (around 39-47%), enhancing equitable access to AI learning and research opportunities.