AI News

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

Cornell leads project putting robots to work in US orchards

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.

Cornell expands AI Critical Literacy Program for incoming students

After a successful pilot launch in the spring, Cornell’s AI Critical Literacy Program will be offered in the fall to all incoming students as well as other interested students, faculty members and staff.

Strike a pose: Creating more realistic multi-person images

A Cornell research group has devised a way to generate an image of multiple people, incorporating the poses of all individuals to inform the image generation and make the scene more believable and accurate.

Weak AI regulation may backfire, making products less safe

A new modeling study finds no regulation of AI products and services may be safer than weak regulation.

Inside baseball: AI-enabled enforcement tech takes time, testing

Training artificial intelligence to enforce even seemingly straightforward rules – like balls and strikes in Major League Baseball – is a messy, dynamic process that takes time and careful evaluation of the technology.

Via: Associated Press

Will AI models achieve the ability to improve autonomously? Leading labs say the scenario is near

September 19, 2026

John Thickstun, an assistant professor of computer science, provides perspective on the ongoing practice of using previous AI generations to develop new models.

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AI in education initiatives emphasize experimentation, balanced use

September 17, 2026

Two new initiatives involving artificial intelligence in Cornell classrooms will encourage experimental and balanced use, while exploring ways to deploy AI that align with the teaching needs and strategies of individual academic fields.

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Teaching an AI to Remember: What I Learned Building a Wiki LLM

September 16, 2026

Blog post from Ido Efrati, Programming Analyst Specialist, about building a Wiki LLM.

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Boucher: Why are the scientists building AI also warning us about it?

September 15, 2026

Ayham Boucher, executive director of AI Strategy and Innovation, explains why the same people behind the AI boom are now calling for its potential slowdown.

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Cornell Statistical Consulting Unit to host workshop on AI in scientific research

September 15, 2026

CSCU will host “Ask the Statisticians: AI in Scientific Research,” a free virtual session to discuss how Cornell researchers are integrating AI into their statistical workflows.

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NSF grant to explore whether AI can support students’ critical thinking

September 14, 2026

Cornell has received a $750,000 grant to study AI-powered reflection tools that build student critical thinking skills.

Students viewing the sunset on LIbe Slope

Via: Inside Higher Ed

When Are Students Better Off Offline?

September 14, 2026

Cornell University’s new initiative asks students to rethink their tech habits—and when screens may interfere with learning, attention and social connection.

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A&S offers new science, technology and society major

September 14, 2026

An innovative major in the College of Arts & Sciences is being expanded and refined to highlight its combination of science, social science and the humanities and its relevance to careers today.

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Can AI boost open-mindedness? Team wins $1.49M grant to find out

September 14, 2026

A $1.49 million award from the John Templeton Foundation will enable Cornell researchers Gordon Pennycook and David Rand ’04 to explore whether artificial intelligence can be used to understand and increase open-mindedness.

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