Tompkins Cortland Community College is joining a new SUNY partnership aimed at expanding artificial intelligence education and research for the public good.
The initiative connects SUNY campuses across the state through Empire AI, a high-powered supercomputer housed at the University at Buffalo. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the partnerships as part of her push to make AI more accessible to students and faculty statewide.
“Through Empire AI, New York is ensuring the power of AI is harnessed responsibly,” 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’s four university centers — Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, and Stony Brook — will work with university colleges, technology colleges, and community colleges. The goal is to expand research opportunities, professional development, microcredentials, and ethical use of AI.
TC3 will partner with Binghamton University alongside SUNY Cortland, SUNY Delhi, SUNY New Paltz, SUNY Oneonta, and SUNY Broome Community College. Together, the group plans to create a free, online, non-credit microcredential called AI Prep for Careers.
The program will introduce students to core AI concepts, workforce applications, and ethical considerations.
“We are pleased to be partnering with Binghamton University on this initiative, which we see as a tremendous benefit to our students,” said TC3 Professor of Computer Science Ken Whitener. “AI continues to redefine both the world we live in and the future we are preparing our students for.”
Whitener said the collaboration will help students better understand AI and the opportunities it creates across industries.
Empire AI brings together public and private universities from across New York to support safe, equitable, and accessible AI research. The consortium includes SUNY, CUNY, Cornell University, Columbia University, and several other major institutions.
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