February 10, 2026
New opportunities are coming to SUNY Cortland thanks to the university’s partnership in advancing AI across the state for public good initiatives.
Cortland will work with lead institutions Binghamton University, SUNY Broome College, Derry, New York, NY, New Paltz, NY, Oneonta, NY, and Tompkins Cortland Community College to find ethical and effective uses for the growing field of artificial intelligence in scholarship and research.
part of new york Empire AI The program provides students with detailed information on topics such as workforce applications and ethical considerations, and allows partner schools to collaborate to create free, non-credit AI Prep for Careers microcredentials.
Microcredentials will be developed this spring and are expected to be available to students by the fall semester.
Professor Chris Badurek, Chair Department of GeographyCo-coordinator of t and university computer application program (CAP) was approached by colleagues in Binghamton to add Cortland to the group. He described this new initiative as a great opportunity for students in CAP, an interdisciplinary minor aimed at providing computing skills. The curriculum will be updated through new resources in the partnership.
“One of the required courses for the minor was previously called CAP 104: Computers in Society, and we are changing the name and content of that course to AI, Technology, and Society,” said Badurek, who is also co-director of NYU Cortland College. Regional Geographic Information System Laboratory. “The focus will be more aligned with the curriculum conversations that are part of the AI for the Public Good initiative. We’re moving forward with that now, and it will have an immediate impact on campus.”
propsHe noted that the use of AI is one of the most relevant and in-demand technical skills across a variety of careers. Generative AI models like Chat GPT and Claude allow users to speed up everyday work tasks. Another aspect of AI research involves algorithm development.
“We have students who do quantitative research,” Badurek said. “And they can apply algorithmic functions to quantitative data in any case, whether it’s business, healthcare, or sports management. And they learn how to apply those functional tools in ways that bring value to the workplace.”
In total, Cortland will receive nearly $100,000 in state funding, including money used to support two new appointees. Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Through initiatives.
Those students will work on their projects at Binghamton, with mentorship from faculty advisors at Cortland. As an example of what the fellowship looks like, Badurek pointed to his current work leading an undergraduate research project that integrates AI and geographic information systems to better understand how housing development impacts water quality in the Finger Lakes.
in JanuaryNew York Governor Cathy Hochul announced that Binghamton will be home to the nation’s first independent university artificial intelligence research center.
The statewide effort will also be supported by the Empire AI supercomputer planned at the University at Buffalo. Its computing power is planned to facilitate advanced research and learning across New York University.
“Through Empire AI, New York City is ensuring the power of AI is harnessed responsibly,” said Hochul. “By bringing together NYU institutions through these campus partnerships, we advance the use of AI for the common good and shape a brighter future for all New Yorkers.”
State University of New York President John B. King Jr. said the Empire AI program positions the state as a leader in AI and provides students with great experience in the technology.
“SUNY is proud to leverage the nation’s most comprehensive system of public higher education to enable more students to advance research and advance innovation,” said Professor King.
