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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

Greg Morrisett to co-lead new NYS AI safety research center

The center is a new statewide initiative launched by Gov. Kathy Hochul to advance artificial intelligence science and safety.

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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.

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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.

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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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Good vibes: Phones promote shared space, not silos, in Arts Quad installation

September 10, 2026

“Vibe Coating” integrates green-screen technology and AI to visualize participants' prompts as an immersive, continuously changing environment.

From article, vote button as globe

Via: Axios

September 10, 2026

Sarah Kreps, director of Cornell's Tech Policy Institute, comments on voters' desire for authenticity and skepticism toward AI-generated content in political ads.

Title and details of the meeting

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Cornell AI Initiative Town Hall Scheduled for Sept. 25

September 9, 2026

Faculty and staff are invited to a town hall on Friday, September 25, from 9 to 10 a.m. to learn more about the Cornell AI Initiative and help shape its future. The session will provide updates on programs designed to address the opportunities and challenges of AI across research, education, operations, and engagement. Leadership will also share the initiative’s strategy, discuss plans to expand access to AI tools, and seek feedback on a draft mission statement.

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Cornell Unplugged encourages mindful tech use, social connection

September 9, 2026

New event asks the community to decrease technology use, increase face-to-face interaction and consider that every AI chat, doomscroll and text message has a water, energy and carbon footprint. 

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Cornellians to address AI, NY energy future at Climate Week NYC

September 9, 2026

Cornell and global leaders will come together at Climate Week NYC Sept. 20-27 to discuss some of the world’s most pressing sustainability challenges, including harnessing AI’s power while mitigating its negative impacts.

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AI reveals new class of cellular ‘off switch’ linked to cancer pathways

September 9, 2026

Cornell researchers have used artificial intelligence to uncover a previously unknown way cells control how proteins move inside them, a process essential for growth, communication and movement, and one that is often disrupted in cancer.

artist rendering of robot in office setting

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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

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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.

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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.