Greg Morrisett, the Jack and Rilla Neafsey Dean and Vice Provost of Cornell Tech, has been named interim co-director of the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research (NYCAIRR), a new statewide initiative launched by Gov. Kathy Hochul to advance artificial intelligence science and safety.Morrisett will lead the center with Jeannette Wing, executive vice president for research at Columbia University. Based at the State University of New York’s Binghamton University, the center will bring together more than 80 scientists from colleges and research institutions across New York state to independently evaluate advanced AI systems, develop new approaches to testing their safety and security, and advance the science needed to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI capabilities.The center was announced in early 2026 with a $30 million philanthropic gift from a group of donors led by Binghamton alumnus and Bloomberg LP co-founder Tom Secunda, paired with an initial $25 million investment from SUNY and operating capital from New York state.“I’m grateful to Gov. Hochul for recognizing that independent research is essential to making AI safer and more secure,” Morrisett said. “Having worked with the private sector, I know AI companies care about safety. But they’re also competing to build ever more powerful technology, and safety is one priority among many. At this center, safety and security will be our only focus.“Jeannette Wing and I are honored to take on this responsibility at a moment when the science must keep pace with the technology. Researchers, policymakers and the public need to know what these systems can do and whether they can be trusted.”Morrisett and Wing will guide the center’s scientific agenda, oversee its independent evaluation and help build a statewide network of researchers who will continue working at their home institutions. The initiative will be supported by the advanced computing resources of Empire AI, New York’s $500 million public-private initiative to advance AI research for the public good.The center will evaluate the safety of today’s AI systems while developing the scientific tools, measurements and standards needed to assess increasingly powerful systems as the technology evolves. The findings will also help inform public policy and oversight of frontier AI developers, building on New York’s recently enacted RAISE Act, which establishes safety, transparency and reporting requirements for large AI developers.“Artificial intelligence is one of the most consequential technologies of our time, and shaping its responsible use requires leadership that brings together technical expertise, interdisciplinary research, and a commitment to the public good,” said Provost Kavita Bala. “Cornell’s university-wide AI Initiative advances research that addresses both the technology’s tremendous potential and the complex challenges it presents to society. Greg’s appointment reflects the depth of expertise at Cornell Tech, and we are proud to see him helping lead this important work across New York state.”Sarah Marquart is a writer for Cornell Tech.
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