Stony Brook Appointed Inaugural Chair for AI Department
The appointment marks a strategic push to analyze the economic and social impacts of artificial intelligence.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in People
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Stony Brook University named Donghee Yvette Wohn as the inaugural chair of the Department of Technology, AI and Society on September 1, 2026. The department, housed within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, will focus on the intersection of AI and its societal implications.
Why it matters
As businesses increasingly integrate machine learning, academic research into how these tools reshape the economy becomes a vital signal for operators managing digital transformation. The creation of this department provides a new hub for AI-related innovation within the state.
The new department launched with a $5 million SUNY grant spanning a three-year period. This capital supports the inaugural leadership role filled by Donghee Yvette Wohn, who joins the university from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
The players
Donghee Yvette Wohn
The inaugural chair of the Department of Technology, AI and Society who previously served as the PhD director at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Stony Brook University
A major public research institution and part of the State University of New York system focused on advancing engineering and applied sciences.
The details
The university established the Department of Technology, AI and Society to investigate how artificial intelligence systems influence cultural and economic structures. Through an extensive search, the institution selected a leader with prior experience at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and research history at institutions including Harvard and Northwestern. The department aims to organize and expand the existing community of researchers and innovators across the Stony Brook campus.
Timeline
September 1, 2026: Donghee Yvette Wohn began her role as the inaugural chair.
Three-year period: The duration for which the $5 million SUNY grant is allocated.
Market Landscape
The launch of this department follows the trend of state-funded initiatives like the SUNY Empire Innovation Program, which prioritize specialized technical research hubs. It positions the university to formalize academic inquiry into AI's economic shifts alongside established global research programs.
Operators should monitor this department for future insights into how AI-driven labor and economic shifts might alter regional markets. The research output over the next three years could signal emerging operational standards for companies utilizing automated systems.
The takeaway
The addition of dedicated AI-societal research to the state's academic portfolio provides a valuable lens for understanding long-term technology adoption. Keep a close watch on future white papers or industry roundtables published by the department to track how AI integration affects local labor metrics.
Further reading
For more on shifts in institutional leadership, see the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TBR News Media.
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