Latest stories, updates, and announcements that highlight the people, research, and progress of AI throughout Cornell.

Want your news listed here? Email us.

AI Headlines from Around the University

Project to rebuild trust in AI era lands Laude’s $10M ‘moonshot’ award

A $10 million “moonshot” grant from Laude Institute will help Cornell researchers realize the potential of artificial intelligence, while giving online communities control over AI’s role.

New initiative will explore AI’s role in society, humanities

With AI transforming how societies function, a new program in the College of Arts and Sciences aims to meet the urgent need to understand AI’s implications for culture, governance, ethics, communication, creativity, labor and social organization.

New CoPAIR program connects Cornell researchers with AI tools, training and community

The new Communities of Practice for AI-enabled Research (CoPAIR) program gives researchers access to emerging AI tools, hands-on training and collaborative communities where they can share best practices, develop disciplinary norms for appropriate AI use and non-use, and evaluate new tools for research. 

‘A seat at the table’: Cornell expands access to multiple AI tools for faculty, staff, students

Most faculty, staff and students will have free access to a range of AI platforms – an effort to level the playing field, spur exploration and reduce the costs and vulnerabilities of individual consumer licenses.

Cute robots, historical chatbots: AI in the classroom grows more sophisticated

Instructors across Cornell are working to strike a balance in the classroom – using AI as a teaching tool but also making choices to prevent its use and preserve the learning experience.

artist rendering of robot in office setting

Via:

AI’s Impact on Professional Work to be Examined by CAROW Yang-Tan Incubator Initiative

September 4, 2026

Much attention has been given to artificial intelligence displacing lower-skilled workers, but less is known about AI’s impact on professional work in high-skill fields, such as legal, finance, journalism and design, according to ILR Professor Sarosh Kuruvilla.

woman sitting on couch looking at laptop

Via:

The Science Behind the Scroll: Donghui Li’s Path from Cornell Tech to TikTok

September 3, 2026

When a user discovers TikTok through an ad, a friend’s recommendation, or a chance scroll through the app store, it might feel like a simple moment. For Cornell Tech alumna Donghui Li, though, it’s a complex data problem hiding in plain sight — and solving it at global scale is what drives her.

Via:

Cornell leads project putting robots to work in US orchards

September 3, 2026

A Cornell-led research project is developing robots that can perform labor-intensive orchard operations; it’s supported by a four-year, $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative. 

This cartoon contrasts older ways of preventing protein activity with a newer degrader approach, which destroys and recycles the target. Image generated by Kimi AI on Aug. 19, 2026.

Via:

Model Helps Scientists Build Better Protein-Degrading Therapies

September 1, 2026

A team of Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has developed a computer model that will help scientists more efficiently develop protein-destroying therapies, a newer type of treatment that is particularly promising for cancer. The study was published July 13 in Nature Communications.

Via:

What happened when we put AI to work?

August 28, 2026

Thirty participants from 23 units across eight colleges gathered in early August to explore what an AI-enabled future of software development might look like at Cornell.  They expected to share tools, compare approaches, and test new ideas. Instead, many left talking about something else entirely: people.

Cornell University seal

Via:

Campaign closes with record support for students and research

August 27, 2026

Cornell’s To Do the Greatest Good campaign surpassed its goal of raising more than $5 billion and engaging more than 200,000 alumni – achievements that will enhance opportunities for students and accelerate critical faculty research.

Via: Ars Technica

How Much of a Problem Is AI’s Water Use?

August 27, 2026

Fengqi You, energy systems expert at Cornell University, discusses methods to reduce AI data centers’ water use.

Via:

Two Undergrads Are Using AI to Help Students Learn Calc and More

August 27, 2026

The Class of ’26 computer science majors are currently on leave to continue building their successful startup, MathGPT.

Via:

‘Hitting dead ends and rethinking everything’ – BURE summer scholars explore research life

August 26, 2026

This summer, 60 undergraduates participated in the Bowers Undergraduate Research Experience, a 10-week, paid program where undergraduate students do real-world research alongside Bowers faculty.