Cornell University

Cornell AI Initiative

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

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AI Headlines from Around the University

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. 

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‘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.

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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.

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Any student, any major: ‘Everyday AI’ course to launch spring 2027

In spring 2027, Cornell Bowers will launch a new course that is open to all entitled, “Everyday AI: Learning to use AI effectively and responsibly.” 

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Who is Elias the lighthouse keeper? AI fiction tells the same old story

For AI agents instructed to write fiction, that tale usually involves lighthouses and a keeper named Elias, according to new Cornell research. 

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AI tools to help vision-impaired are good, but could be better

April 16, 2026

Artificial intelligence is touching nearly every aspect of life, including assistive technology for vision-impaired individuals. And just like in other arenas, the AI used to assist them is good, but far from perfect.

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Making AI safer for victims of intimate partner violence

April 16, 2026

Conversational AI tools denied blunt requests for harmful content by researchers posing as intimate partner abusers, but these guardrails were easily circumvented, a new Cornell Tech study has found.

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‘Moonshot’ project aims to restore trust in the digital public sphere

April 15, 2026

Researchers have received a seed grant for $250,000 and a chance at a $10 million award to support a project aimed at using artificial intelligence to establish a foundation for trustworthy AI-mediated communication across online platforms.

Hands on a laptop

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WCM Investigators Empowering Cancer Researchers with AI

April 13, 2026

A team of Weill Cornell Medicine investigators is working to cross-train the next generation of cancer researchers in cancer biology and the use of artificial intelligence tools for research.

Three founders standing on the stairs

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Qualcomm acquires Cornell AI software startup

April 9, 2026

Exostellar, a startup born from Cornell research, has achieved an outcome many entrepreneurs dream of – acquisition by a Fortune 500 company. Qualcomm acquired the eight-year-old company in March.

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Decoding great teaching and more: New app analyzes conversational data at scale

April 6, 2026

The National Tutoring Observatory is releasing a new app that lets researchers analyze large datasets of text with the help of AI, for learning about effective teaching and other social science questions.

Smart watch on wrist

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Sonar on stock smartwatches leads to hand-tracking breakthrough

April 6, 2026

WatchHand, a wearable tech device developed by Cornell Bowers and Korean researchers, equips off-the-shelf smartwatches with AI-powered micro sonar capable of tracking hand movements.

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Decoding great teaching and more: New app analyzes conversational data at scale

April 6, 2026

The National Tutoring Observatory is releasing a new app that lets researchers analyze large datasets of text with the help of AI, for learning about effective teaching and other social science questions.

Reflection of researchers in mirrors held by Robot

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MirrorBot: fostering human connection

April 2, 2026

Cornell researchers developed a dual mirror-equipped robot, MirrorBot, that spurred conversations, playful exchanges and other interactions between strangers sparked by initial eye contact made in the mirrors.