$30 million gift from Bloomberg co-founder Tom Secunda to build a national center for responsible AI

The State University of New York at Binghamton is entering a defining new chapter, buoyed by a landmark act of generosity that speaks as much to purpose as it does to possibility.

With a record-setting $30 million philanthropic gift—matched by a $25 million research capital investment from the State University of New York system—the university is poised to establish the Center for AI Responsibility and Research, the first independent artificial intelligence research center at any public university in the United States.

At the heart of this moment is Tom Secunda, a Binghamton alumnus whose career has been shaped by the transformative power of information, technology, and trust. As a co-founder of Bloomberg LP and the independent chair of the Empire AI Consortium, Secunda has long understood that innovation, untethered from responsibility, can erode public confidence. His leadership of a group of donors behind this gift reflects a deeply held conviction: that artificial intelligence must be developed not only to be powerful, but to be worthy of public trust.

The new center will be devoted to research on the safety, security, and transparency of AI systems—areas increasingly recognized as essential as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in daily life, public institutions, markets, and democratic processes. Rather than chasing novelty for its own sake, the center’s mission is grounded in stewardship: ensuring that AI serves the public good, strengthens civic life, and advances shared prosperity.

For Secunda, the purpose is clear. He has described the center as a place where rigorous, independent research will shape the tools, standards, and talent pipeline needed to guide AI’s future. It is an investment in long-term public confidence—an acknowledgment that trust, once lost, is difficult to regain, and that universities have a unique role to play in safeguarding it.

That philosophy aligns closely with New York State’s broader ambitions. Governor Kathy Hochul has emphasized that as artificial intelligence accelerates, public institutions must move just as quickly to ensure its responsible use. The center will be a cornerstone of that effort, positioning New York as a national leader in ethical, transparent, and secure AI development.

 Binghamton University’s role is equally intentional. As a founding member of the Empire AI Consortium, the university already collaborates with leading public and private research institutions across the state, sharing access to advanced computing resources and attracting top-tier talent. The new center will deepen that collaboration, serving as a magnet for researchers, faculty, and students committed to aligning technological advancement with human values.

The partnership with the State University of New York underscores the scale of the commitment. SUNY’s $25 million capital investment signals confidence not only in Binghamton’s academic leadership, but in the idea that public universities can—and should—set the national standard for responsible innovation. Together, the donor-led gift and public investment form a rare alignment of private philanthropy and public purpose.

Beyond research, the center is expected to translate evidence-based findings into real-world practices, influencing policymakers, industry leaders, and institutions grappling with AI’s rapid adoption. A national search for center leadership and affiliated faculty will begin immediately, with an emphasis on independence, interdisciplinary rigor, and real-world impact.

Even the university’s forthcoming rebranding, more closely aligning Binghamton with the SUNY name and logo, reflects a broader sense of momentum. It is a signal that the institution is stepping forward with clarity and confidence, ready to take on a larger role on the national stage.

In an era often defined by anxiety about artificial intelligence—its speed, its opacity, its power—this gift offers a different narrative. It is a story of donors who believe that foresight matters, that public trust is a civic asset, and that universities remain one of society’s most reliable guardians of the common good. Through the Center for AI Responsibility and Research, Binghamton University is not simply keeping pace with technological change; it is helping to shape a future in which innovation and responsibility advance together.