New York Expands Empire AI Consortium with $90 Million Investment

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a significant expansion of New York's Empire AI Consortium with a $90 million investment, announced in a press release. This funding, part of the Governor's FY26 Executive Budget, aims to increase the computing power of the Empire AI supercomputer and broaden access for researchers from SUNY institutions.

The expansion will include new consortium members such as the University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology, and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. These additions are expected to enhance AI research capabilities, particularly in medical and educational fields. The initiative will be supported by $50 million in private funding from new members and $25 million in SUNY operating funding over the next decade.

The Empire AI Consortium, launched last year, has already seen over 200 researchers engage in projects ranging from medical breakthroughs to climate modeling. With this expansion, the consortium aims to further its mission of advancing AI research for the public good, positioning New York as a leader in the global AI landscape.