Researchers across SUNY schools will have a new AI tool to use thanks to the launch of Empire AI Beta.
In an Aug. 5 press release, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the tool, which she called the “most powerful academic research computer” in the United States. The announcement comes one day after the reveal of a $100 million initiative seeking to expand AI resources throughout the country thanks to the National Science Foundation.
A $55 million investment to create the Center for AI Responsibility and Research at Binghamton University was announced in January. The center’s establishment was funded by the largest academic donation in university history, as well as $25 million from the state.
SUNY Expands AI processing power drastically with new Empire AI Beta
SUNY’s Empire AI Beta is hosted at SUNY Buffalo, and consists of an NVIDIA-powered supercomputer totaling $40 million. The computer will help all future AI-assisted projects, including the more than 300 already in line to use the system.
According to Hochul, it will greatly increase computing power for researchers throughout the state compared to the previous system, Empire AI Alpha, which launched in 2024. Empire AI Beta will increase AI-training capacity 11-fold, data storage 8-fold and increase AI inference by a whopping 40 times.
The NSF program will help establish several AI Infrastructure Hubs throughout the country, which the agency says will help bring together industry and research leaders to ultimately help researchers in the United States. The initial investment will support up to 10 hubs — a designation New York will undoubtedly push to receive.
“New York State built Empire AI to show that artificial intelligence can be developed for the public good and with Empire AI Beta officially online, New York is giving our researchers the most powerful academic AI research computer in the country,” said Hochul. “The National Science Foundation’s new hubs embrace the same core principle behind Empire AI — when government, universities, philanthropy and industry come together, they can deliver outstanding results.”
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Binghamton researchers gain access to powerful new AI tool
Reporting by Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Riccardo Monico, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin | USA TODAY Network
