In 2025, Samsung Electronics had 7,054 patent grants in the U.S. alone. Apple Inc. had 2,277, and Google/Alphabet, Inc., received 1,782. And, it is estimated that more than 152,000 patent applications specifically related to artificial intelligence  were recorded in the U.S. last year with Google, Microsoft and IBM leading the charge. Add to that the thousands of innovators and researchers across the country filing individual patents every day, and it’s apparent why patent agents and patent attorneys are in high demand.

The College of Law’s (ILC) received a gift from Rodney A. Ryan L’97 that will be used to officially establish a patent law program in summer 2026 to academically and financially assist students preparing for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) registration examination, commonly known as the patent bar. Passing the patent bar is a significant achievement as doing so gives students credentials to become a patent agent who can draft, file and prosecute patent applications. It is a necessary step to becoming a patent attorney.

To be eligible for the new program, students must have an undergraduate degree in science, engineering or tech-related fields; complete required coursework and be actively engaged in the ILC.

For prospective students, the program represents a rare opportunity to enter the legal profession already credentialed as a patent agent and positioned for immediate career impact at law firms, corporations and startups.

“We are very grateful for this gift, which will allow the ILC to formally establish a patent law program and reimburse students for the patent bar preparation and exam—removing a financial barrier that will open this opportunity to even more qualified students,” says Professor of Practice Brian J. Gerling L’99, executive director of the ILC. “The program is designed so students will complete the patent bar exam well before having to study for state bar exams after graduation, while also giving them the opportunity to hone those skills as a patent agent during law school.”

The patent agent law program at the ILC will also assist early stage entrepreneurs through filing of provisional patent applications, thereby avoiding public disclosure bars or risking their ideas to commercial theft.

Students Work as Patent Agents at Local Firm

Carl J. Graziadei L’26 and Madison McCarthy L’26 helped pilot the idea for the formalized program. Both have already passed the patent bar and are currently working as senior research assistants at the ILC and part-time law clerks at local law firm Bond, Schoeneck & King, PLLC.

Graziadei earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in electrical engineering at Clarkson University and passed the patent bar right out of college. When researching law schools that allowed him to mesh his engineering background with the legal field, he discovered Syracuse Law’s ILC.

“Professor Gerling is really the reason I decided on Syracuse, as he showed me how my engineering background would be a great fit for the ILC,” Graziadei says. “He confirmed my belief that going into patent law was the right move and explained the demand was high, and the opportunities were endless in law firms, corporations and startups.”

McCarthy studied biological sciences and neuroscience as an undergraduate at the University of Buffalo and also came to Syracuse with the goal of becoming a patent attorney. While working in the ILC, she passed the patent bar as a second year student.

Both excelled through the ILC, honing their research and writing skills and building confidence communicating with actual clients, while also gaining experience through internships. Graziadei interned at Lallemand, a French company optimizing natural fermentation processes. McCarthy was an extern in patent litigation at Kiklis Law Firm, PLLC, in Virginia, which focuses on trials at the USPTO’s Patent Trials and Appeals Board, and a general counsel extern at Upstate Medical University.

“I fell in love with the faculty and the ILC because I had so much freedom and the chance to interact with entrepreneurs and innovators about their inventions through the law,” says McCarthy, who is currently editor-in-chief of the .

As third-year law students, McCarthy and Graziadei are senior research assistants at the ILC helping second years assist clients. Both are also working part-time at Bond, Schoeneck & King, using their skills as patent agents. They each have been offered positions as full-time associates at the firm upon graduating this spring.

“Because I am already a patent agent, I will be a licensed patent attorney once I pass the New York State bar, and the experience I have had through Syracuse Law has been incredible preparation,” says McCarthy. “I’m grateful to have found a program where I could combine my interests in science, innovation and the law, and I look forward to what’s ahead.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how governments operate, how universities teach and how public institutions make decisions.

That was the central message of a recent fireside chat hosted by the . Dean moderated the conversation which brought together two leaders working at the forefront of AI adoption: , commissioner of the New York State Office of General Services (OGS), and , Syracuse University’s senior vice president for digital transformation and chief digital officer.

“The question before us is not whether AI will transform public life,” Van Slyke said. “It’s whether our institutions are ready to lead that transformation thoughtfully, equitably and effectively.”

Personalizing Learning and Expanding Access

Rubin opened the March 26 event with a claim about the stakes for higher education: AI, he said, has the potential to transform how universities teach in ways not seen in 200 years. “The idea of a professor standing in front of a room, lecturing—and students taking notes and then being assessed through projects, papers and exams—that model has not shifted,” he said. “What AI allows you to do is personalize learning.”

Personalization at scale has long been a challenge because no instructor can simultaneously tailor a course to every student’s pace and needs, he said. AI changes that equation.

Rubin shared how Syracuse has deployed more than 30,000 AI licenses across campus to drive equitable access and data security. Some students had already purchased AI tools on their own, while others could not afford them, he pointed out. Faculty and staff also needed a secure environment for uploading sensitive documents without routing data through commercial platforms.

Rubin also highlighted a less-discussed dimension of the University’s AI work: a private wireless network, built in partnership with JMA Wireless, that supports thermal sensors in academic buildings across campus. The sensors detect occupancy without capturing identifying information, allowing the University to optimize janitorial services, plan building capacity and, eventually, adjust heating and cooling based on actual use patterns.

A Measured Approach to Government AI

Moy noted that the state’s deliberate pace of technology adoption is a necessary safeguard rather than a liability. “I would contend that it’s important that government is risk-averse,” she said. “The information that we hold is really important—Medicaid data, health data, testing information. The importance of that stewardship becomes paramount.”

Her office oversees roughly 30 million square feet of state real estate, manages 1,500 procurement contracts valued at $44 billion and administers a design and construction portfolio of approximately $5.7 billion. Moy described the agency’s AI strategy as a measured approach. It involves first identifying low-risk, high-value applications, then building the data infrastructure to support them, and ensuring legal and operational frameworks are in place before scaling.

Moy said one of OGS’s most tangible AI investments is in procurement search. Agencies and municipalities navigating the state’s contract catalog often struggle to find what they need, undermining the efficiency those contracts are designed to provide. Moy said AI-assisted search is a logical starting point: low risk, no job displacement and an immediate opportunity to test what the technology can do.

The agency is also piloting AI-powered document summarization tools for bid documents and contract histories which are reported to save up to three hours per day.

Moy noted that backlogs present another opportunity, as they are a universal challenge across the public sector. She explained that while AI could help alleviate some of those challenges, agencies must be cautious; they cannot hand out productivity tools to every worker without first creating the right frameworks.

Jobs, Regulation and What Comes Next

Both speakers addressed audience concerns about AI’s impact on jobs—a topic that has gained urgency in New York following Governor Kathy Hochul’s , which is tasked with studying AI’s effects on the labor market.

Rubin cited research suggesting that less than 1% of the 1.2 million layoffs recorded in 2025 were directly attributable to AI, arguing that economic factors and structural business decisions are doing more to reshape the workforce than the technology itself. He expressed confidence that AI will ultimately create more jobs than it displaces, though he acknowledged that every job will change.

“If you don’t know how to incorporate AI into your domain and discipline, you will be at a disadvantage,” he said. “Students need to have the tools and the classes.”

Moy recalled the dot-com era and the transformation of publishing that upended models at institutions like the Brooklyn Public Library, where she once served as chief strategy officer. The fear and exuberance that accompanied those transitions, she said, mirrors what society is experiencing today.

“We want to make sure that we’re thinking about it ethically, that we’re balancing it according to public need,” she said. “And we’re having active conversations about those trade-offs.”

Both panelists returned repeatedly to the theme of transparency in AI systems, government data and institutional communications.

Rubin pointed to Anthropic’s practice of publishing system prompts as a model for responsible AI deployment and noted that Syracuse recently launched an AI-powered course search tool, called , that similarly makes its operating parameters visible. He also raised the challenge of AI-generated media and the difficulty of distinguishing real content from fabricated content online.

An Open and Ongoing Dialogue

The conversation drew questions from the audience.

A first-year Maxwell student and member of the University’s United AI club asked what precedent a recent court ruling holding social media platforms liable for algorithmic harm to minors sets for the future of AI regulation and whether platforms like ChatGPT should face similar oversight.

Rubin was direct: “We made the mistake with social media. These companies should have an obligation to have guardrails.”

Moy pointed to Hochul’s recent policy proposals targeting addictive technology, including requirements for more restrictive default settings on children’s accounts. She acknowledged that government is often a step behind rapid technological change, but argued that intervention becomes necessary when innovation results in public harm.

A second student raised concerns about AI’s potential to enable fraud, including falsified documents and biased algorithms.

“These are very real questions,” she said, emphasizing that OGS is working to understand its uses and risks. She argued that the answer isn’t avoiding AI but understanding it well enough to spot its misuse. “If we don’t understand it, we will fall behind.”

Rubin agreed, framing the detection challenge as both technological and philosophical: As AI becomes embedded in everything from autocomplete to document editing, defining what counts as “AI-generated” becomes increasingly difficult. “My gut is almost every piece of content out there will have some AI piece to it, assisting us,” he said. “So, it’s a technology challenge and a societal challenge.”

Van Slyke closed by noting that Maxwell’s role in preparing students for public service has always meant equipping them not just with technical knowledge, but with the ability to navigate the policy, governance and ethical dimensions that accompany it.

“The question is not what will AI do to our institutions,” he said. “It’s what will we choose to do with it.”

When Tyler Neary ’27and Orion Goodman ’27 scattered flyers across campus last spring advertising a new AI club, they saw a critical need: students needed to be included in conversations about a technology that would fundamentally reshape their futures.

“AI was at the point where it could help people in every single major, in every single profession, in every single job,” says Neary, a civil engineering major who co-founded United AI with Goodman, a biomedical engineering major, both in the (ECS). “We realized this was no longer just a computer science thing.”

What started as a room of 10 people has grown into , a recognized student organization (RSO) with more than 100 members representing every single school and college and most majors. Since its fall semester launch, the club’s focus has been democratizing AI literacy and ensuring students from all disciplines have a seat at the table as this technology transforms society.

The group will host a on Saturday, April 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. in the K.G. Tan Auditorium in the National Veterans Resource Center at the Daniel and Gayle D’Aniello Building, featuring industry speakers, demonstrations and faculty research showcases.

Why Students Need Leadership in AI Development

For Goodman, the urgency became clear watching rapid AI development. “When I’m going through college, watching AI capabilities escalate, it can be disempowering—and I figured my peers may be feeling the same way,” he says. “It felt threatening because there’s a small group of people making decisions about how the technology is being used, and others feel like they’re being left behind.”

That sense of being sidelined drove the co-founders to create what Neary describes as an empowerment space. “Something that we say a lot in the club is: don’t get used by AI, use AI to your benefit,” he says. “We’re the ones who are going into the workforce leading the charge and determining how we will use this technology now and into the future.”

The message resonated. Within weeks of tabling at campus events, students from ECS, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Newhouse School of Public Communications, the Whitman School of Management and the College of Visual and Performing Arts were showing up to meetings, eager to understand how AI would affect their fields and futures.

Bringing Humanities and STEM Into Conversation

When Alex Kahn ’27, a junior studying citizenship and civic engagement and political philosophy in the | , discovered United AI, he wasn’t looking for coding or technical skills, but was compelled by the policy implications of AI that were dominating news headlines. “AI was in every story, across every industry, and it felt like there was no escaping it and how it will affect you,” Kahn says.

As United AI’s recruitment director last fall, Kahn became instrumental in broadening the organization beyond its engineering roots. His approach focused on relevance rather than technical expertise. The interdisciplinary composition has transformed conversations within the club.

“Having people from different majors and disciplines means having that understanding that everyone’s mind works differently,” Kahn says. “The people who are writing code are not thinking the same way as the person majoring in fine arts, and having that creativity along with those technical skills, you’re able to build and think much differently.”

Goodman appreciates what non-engineering perspectives bring to the table. “As conversations around AI progressed, I began asking, ‘Where are the artists? Where are the policymakers? Where are the humanities majors?’” he says. “A lot of the population was not behind building this technology and still isn’t—but how do we provide a space for them to learn and join the conversation?”

From Concept to Creation: Student Projects Take Shape

United AI goes beyond theoretical discussion to hands-on application. Through four-week project cycles, students receive funding, access to premium AI tools and mentorship to develop their ideas.

Paige Siciliano ’29, a computer engineering major, led a second-place winning project during her first semester on campus. Her team’s AI-powered schedule builder, still under development, helps students manage their time by generating personalized daily plans based on individual learning styles, fixed commitments and flexible tasks.

For Siciliano and her teammates—Neha Redda ’29 and Ria Yagielski ’29—the project provided more than AI experience. “It really helped us find a way into the community of Syracuse, and it helped us feel like we belonged,” she says.

Building Community Around Shared Curiosity

Beyond projects and programs, United AI has cultivated what Kahn describes as “a school of thought on campus.” During a debate night last semester, members discussed everything from business applications to environmental impacts to personal usage philosophy, with some participants there simply to understand the technology rather than use it. “Being surrounded by club members and in this community of lifelong learners, we focus our educational efforts to not just learn the technical side, but also on practical application,” Kahn says.

Siciliano emphasizes the club’s welcoming atmosphere. “We came in as first-semester freshmen, two weeks into school. It didn’t matter if we had no background knowledge in AI or all the knowledge in the world—they create an atmosphere that makes you want to learn about it and continue to grow.”

To join United AI, . To learn more, follow the organization on or .

The (NSF) has awarded $45 million over three years for phase two of the , a regional initiative in which Syracuse University is a core partner.

Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to make upstate New York a national hub for battery technology by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and workforce trainers to develop the next generation of batteries—the kind that will power electric vehicles, store renewable energy on the grid and strengthen national security. It’s led by and includes partners (RIT), , , and .

“Syracuse University is proud to be a core partner in advancing battery technology research, building workforce pathways and strengthening the upstate New York economy,” says , vice president for research. “The success of the Engine’s Energy Storage Workforce Development Network in the first phase has contributed to a regional innovation ecosystem that connects innovation to talent development and economic growth across upstate New York. We look forward to working with our Engine partners to build on this success in the years ahead.”

In phase two, the Engine will focus on developing safer, more cost-efficient next-generation battery systems; integrating artificial intelligence into materials discovery and manufacturing; and deepening partnerships with regional corporations and the defense sector. A new advanced battery safety testing facility, the first of its kind in the Northeast, is set to open at RIT this summer.

Phase two will also see the expansion of workforce development programs, with a particular emphasis on preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists to meet growing industry demand. The Engine may receive up to $160 million in total NSF funding over 10 years, with an additional $16 million in matching funds from .

Since its launch, the Engine has supported 15 industry-academia research teams, served more than 300 learners through its workforce development network and funded more than 15 high-tech battery startups. Those startups have attracted more than $20 million in follow-on funding in the past year alone.

Syracuse University undergraduates are getting their moment to shine this spring, presenting original research and creative work to peers, faculty and the broader campus community across a series of symposia and showcase events running through the end of the semester.

“For a researcher, learning how to effectively present their work is a crucial part of the research process. Whether a student is sharing a completed project with conclusions, or a work-in-progress still in development, the dialogue and conversation with a broader audience is always clarifying,” says Kate Hanson, director of the (SOURCE). “Our undergraduates do incredible research, guided by dedicated faculty mentors, and our campus community is warmly welcomed to engage with and celebrate this work.”

The SOURCE Spring Showcase includes the following:

Thursday, March 26

Lundgren Room, 106 Life Sciences Complex, 4-6 p.m.
The event will feature four “TED-style” student research talks and a presentation of SOURCE and Center for Fellowship and Scholarship Advising (CFSA) awards.

Friday, March 27

Life Sciences Complex Atrium, 2-4 p.m.
This interdisciplinary event will feature more than 100 students presenting research and creative activity.

The entire campus community is invited to attend the events.

A complete list of programs in March, April and May with event and registration details can be found on (check back for updated information).

Other symposia and research-related events this spring include:

• , Wednesday, March 25, 9 a.m.-2:45 p.m., Goldstein Auditorium, Schine Student Center
• , Saturday, March 28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Life Sciences Complex Atrium
• , Friday, April 3, 9:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m., 608 Bird Library
• , Friday, April 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Collegian Hotel and Suites, 1060 E. Genesee St.
• , Thursday, April 16, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m., Nancy Cantor Warehouse, Auditorium, Room 100A
• , Friday, April 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Milton Atrium, Life Sciences Complex
• , Friday, April 17, 10 a.m., 101 Newhouse 1
• , Tuesday, April 28, 3-5 p.m., 220 Eggers Hall
• , Wednesday, April 29, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Hall of Languages, multiple locations (complete schedule will be available on the after April 8)

A new minor in artificial intelligence science and engineering is designed to equip students with essential knowledge and skills in one of today’s most transformative fields. The minor, offered through the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), will launch in the Fall 2026 semester.

New technologies such as Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT are changing paradigms. The entire technology industry is pivoting toward the embrace of artificial intelligence. Coding agents are changing the way software is developed. Retrieval-augmented generation is changing the way companies manage data, and new systems promise further disruption. The new minor is designed to prepare students to thrive in this environment—providing them with skills highly sought after by employers in the age of AI.

The 18-credit program combines core computing principles with specialized AI coursework, preparing graduates to navigate and contribute to the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. It can be easily paired with other STEM majors.

The minor requires completion of 18 credits divided into two components:

Computing Foundations (nine credits): Students build essential technical skills through coursework focused on computational disciplines, establishing the groundwork necessary for advanced AI study and providing the programming and mathematical basis to understand advanced concepts such as language models and supervised machine learning.

AI Fundamentals and Programming (nine credits): These courses delve into artificial intelligence concepts, methodologies and applications, enabling students to develop expertise in this cutting-edge field. Courses include a strong focus on machine learning, using generative AI systems to create software and understanding large language models for various applications such as retrieval-augmented generation.

This minor is open to all University undergraduate students. It is designed for students seeking to enhance their primary degree with AI competencies.

Graduates of the program will possess key knowledge in artificial intelligence, positioning them competitively for careers in technology, research, data science and emerging AI-driven industries. As organizations across sectors increasingly integrate AI into their operations, this minor provides students with highly sought-after qualifications.

For more information about admission requirements and course offerings, students should contact their academic advisor or Priyantha Kumarawadu, associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science and computer science undergraduate program director, at spkumara@syr.edu.

Six Central New York businesses that are working to advance semiconductor manufacturing capabilities have received funding of more than $350,000 through the new .

“Syracuse University is an economic engine in Central New York due to our strategic focus on strengthening partnerships, meeting the emerging needs of regional employers and preparing our students for the future,” says , vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation. “The NY THRIVE awards administered by the Collaboration and Commercialization Center are a prime example of how the University is stepping up to build the innovation economy of tomorrow in our community.”

The program provides companies with access to academic research capabilities, specialized equipment and faculty expertise to accelerate the development and commercialization of semiconductor technologies. It’s administered by the Syracuse University-led NY SMART I-Corridor’s , and includes partners Cornell University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Rochester and University at Buffalo.

“The NY THRIVE awards exemplify the power of industry-academic partnerships in advancing semiconductor manufacturing innovation,” says , vice president for research and principal investigator of C3. “Syracuse University is proud to serve as a catalyst for technological advancement in New York’s growing semiconductor ecosystem. By connecting companies with world-class research facilities and faculty expertise, we’re helping to build the next generation of manufacturing capabilities that will strengthen our regional economy and position New York as a global leader in semiconductor innovation.”

NY THRIVE recipients are:

TTM Technologies Inc. (Syracuse) will collaborate with the research group led by , professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), to evaluate sintering interface processing for printed circuit board manufacturing, investigating the effects on post-process state to improve interconnect reliability between adjacent layers.

TunaBotics (Syracuse) is leveraging R&D resources (space, equipment and personnel) at Syracuse University through the research group led by , associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering in ECS, to test prototypes of compliant robotic grippers for advanced electronics manufacturing applications.

IBEX Materials (Buffalo) will demonstrate the feasibility and effects of repurposing silicon waste from the semiconductor industry as a core feedstock for advanced lithium-ion battery anodes, addressing environmental impact reduction in semiconductor manufacturing.

Menlo Micro (Ithaca) will establish next-generation through-glass via (TGV) solutions for its microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches, which are already in significant commercial use in RF, high-speed digital, quantum compute and AC/DC power applications, including AI data centers, industrial automation and building infrastructure. This award strengthens Menlo Micro’s market leadership and ongoing scaling efforts to advance glass substrate technologies critical for next-generation MEMS and microelectronic solutions.

OWiC Technologies (Ithaca) will scale up manufacturing of small photoelectronic electrochemical synthesizers (SPECS), breakthrough millimeter-scale wireless semiconductor devices for high-throughput electrosynthesis.

Photonect Interconnect Solutions Inc. (Rochester) will review and fabricate components for their prototype PIX-Attach, a first-of-its-kind, laser splicing system for high-volume photonic integration. The project will directly support prototyping, production-level V1 development and testing to enhance durability, precision and thermal stability.

“This first round of THRIVE Innovation Vouchers marks another important step in translating the NY SMART I-Corridor’s vision into tangible results for businesses across Upstate New York,” says Joseph Stefko, regional innovation officer for NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub. “By giving companies direct access to world-class research facilities, advanced equipment and technical expertise, we’re lowering barriers to commercialization and accelerating the growth of a stronger, more competitive semiconductor ecosystem. These vouchers don’t just support individual firms; they strengthen the entire innovation pipeline that is positioning Upstate New York as a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and supply chain.”

About NY SMART I-Corridor

The NY SMART I-Corridor is a federally designated Tech Hub with a coalition of over 100 organizations—spanning businesses, higher education, economic development groups and community-based organizations. Together, they are positioning Upstate New York as a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation and workforce development.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) , authorized by the , provides funding for regional technology development with matching support from the Empire State Development .

How are law firms currently applying Artificial Intelligence in the workplace to maximize client services? What are the ethical implications of using AI in the legal field? How will AI impact the current role of lawyers, and what new jobs may emerge? Should AI be regulated, and, if so, how?

These were just some of the questions addressed during AI and the Virtue of Law, a one-week in-person residency held at the in August designed for students in the , with participation also open to on-campus students. This deep-dive into AI was created and facilitated by .

“I think AI will significantly transform law school education and the practice of law,” says Graves, noting that he sees AI as a means of more effective information sharing but also recognizes that many are “terrified” thinking that this technology could replace them.

“We have to think about being nimble now because the essential human role today will likely be an AI role in just a few years, and we don’t want to be left behind. Through this residency, I wanted to help demystify generative AI because, used properly, it can be an extraordinary tool,” Graves says.

Graves, who has taught in the JDi program for the past five years, has a unique blend of expertise in design, development and delivery of accessible and legal education in an online learning environment and 21^st century, technology-leveraged law practice.

A graduate of the University of Colorado Law School, Graves taught the technology-leveraged delivery of legal services at the Touri Law Center for 14 years. Before that, he worked in private practice with Chrisman, Bynum & Johnson PC in Colorado, and as a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals.

First Time Residency a Popular Draw

Logan Gorg L’26 is a JDi student living in Pennsylvania who made the trip to campus to attend the AI residency. She has worked as a paralegal at the law firm of Ross & Ross LLC for the past 10 years and is looking to focus on real estate and probate law upon graduation.

“I learned so much about what AI is, and the information at the residency helped to dispel some of the fears and focus more on where the profession is going,” Gorg says. “Sitting in a room with a group with diverse backgrounds and experiences talking about whether AI was doom or salvation was so interesting. I think the residency showed us that AI is unavoidable, but, if we get out in front of it, we can reap some of the benefits in the legal profession.”

Graves had been contemplating developing a semester-long course in AI for the JDi program, but ultimately he decided that the lightning speed of the technology would be better suited for a short-form, concentrated residency where students with different levels of familiarity could join together to think about being nimble and adapting to technology that is already changing the way the legal field operates.

AI Voice-Driven Technology Used to Teach, Demonstrate Abilities

Coincidentally, the residency took place just as ChatGPT launched Advanced Voice Mode, a significant upgrade that allows for natural, real time conversations using AI. Graves used “Max,” as he named the voice-driven AI technology, to help co-teach the residency and answer students’ questions directly.

“We would have a discussion, and I would say, ‘Max, what do you think?’” Graves says. “At first students were uncomfortable with it, but once Max started responding and asking them questions using the Socratic method, they started to see how fascinating a learning AI tool could be.”

Approach to AI in the Law Resonates With JDi Students

Jenny Cameron L’27, who co-owns VIP Marinas with her husband in Florida, decided to enroll in law school to bring a legal perspective to her family business. She, too, attended the AI residency and walked away amazed.

“Honestly, it was one of those residencies that was life changing,” Cameron says. “Before I attended, I was on the fringes of AI, barely using ChatGPT, but since then I’ve been using AI extensively in some form. Part of law school is practicing and knowing how to use AI better and faster, and what I learned at the residency was eye opening. I commend the College of Law and Professor Graves for taking the lead on this and helping guide us on how we should be approaching this technology.”

Another participant was Bryan Beene ‘26 a high school government teacher from Texas, who is pursuing law school to prepare for a second career once he retires. He hopes to work as a lawyer in the education or church law space.

“I registered for this AI residency for two reasons: one because Professor Graves was teaching it, and he is one of the best professors I’ve ever had; and two, because I had never used AI except for Google searches, and I knew a lack of knowledge around this technology would be a detriment in representing a client,” Beene says.

Beene noted that he enjoyed learning more about the use of the available tools, as well as discussing the legal and ethical issues, and how regulations and the law are often not keeping up with this fast moving technology.

The newly introduced AI and the Virtue of Law residency received “incredible feedback” from students, says Graves, who believes this is a topic that should be revisited once a year.

“This is not a static course, as the technology is changing continuously, but I think the approach resonated well with the students, not only by teaching them skills but by allaying some of their fears while also emphasizing to them that AI technology in the legal field is advancing fast and furiously. So they need to prepare now,” Graves says.

Syracuse University has secured $1,039,000 in federal funding to establish a Semiconductor Thermal Noise Testbed that will advance domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while creating new job opportunities and strengthening the high-tech workforce in Central New York.

The funding, included in the FY 2026 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill as Community Project Funding, was championed by U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative John Mannion.

The investment comes as Central New York is poised to become a major hub for semiconductor manufacturing with Micron Technology’s planned multibillion-dollar investment in the region. The new testbed will help support the development of a pipeline of skilled workers who are ready to support this transformative economic development.

“Thanks to this million-dollar investment that I helped champion, Syracuse University’s cutting-edge thermal noise testbed is poised to develop the semiconductor manufacturing, precision metrology and quantum computing technologies and workforce that will power our nation’s future,” Schumer says. “It gives me great pride to deliver this federal funding to build on Syracuse University’s decades of leadership in thermal noise research while driving economic growth and creating new, good-paying jobs for Upstate New York’s growing semiconductor manufacturing hub.”

“With this new investment and Micron breaking ground this week, it is clearer every day that America’s road to semiconductor leadership runs through Central New York,” Schumer adds.

Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says, “I’m proud to have secured these federal dollars that will drive real growth across Central New York through the creation of high-tech jobs and the advancement of cutting-edge research at Syracuse University. This investment in our domestic semiconductor workforce and manufacturing capacity will help to solidify Central New York as a leader in next-generation technologies. I’ll keep working to bring home resources that strengthen our research capabilities and make a real difference for working families.”

“Investing in cutting-edge scientific research is critical to Syracuse University and Central New York, continuing their long tradition of innovation and leadership,” Mannion says. “This funding will drive discovery, help train the next generation of scientists and engineers and keep our region at the forefront of emerging technologies that matter to our local economy and America’s national security. I’m grateful to partner with Syracuse University to support world-class research, talent and opportunity right here in Upstate New York.”

The testbed will focus on exploring the manufacturing and testing of ultra-low thermal noise materials for use in quantum sensing, fundamental science and semiconductor manufacturing—skills critical to strengthening U.S. domestic semiconductor industry.

“Syracuse University is grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representative Mannion for this critical support,” says the University’s Vice President for Research . “Using the semiconductor thermal noise testbed, Syracuse scientists and students will create new semiconductor-on-glass technologies to create ultra-precise measuring devices and advance state-of-the art semiconductor and quantum-optics technologies. This will allow us to engage industry partners, create new job opportunities and economic growth in our region and train students in skills needed by Micron and the chip industry.”

Advancing U.S. engineering and manufacturing prowess in semiconductor and quantum devices is critical for national security and economic competitiveness.

The project will advance knowledge of glass substrates and coatings to create technologies that will impact chips, photovoltaics and even astronomical observatories, while positioning Central New York as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.

Distinguished Professor of Information Science Kevin Crowston has received a $50,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to launch a pilot study examining how the use of generative AI tools is reshaping the way software developers learn and retain core programming skills.

“Generative AI is expected to change many different kinds of work, but it’s already having an impact on coding, where it’s particularly useful,” says Crowston, in the . His proposal cites Google CEO Sundar Pichai’s 2024 estimate that as much as 25% of the company’s code was being  written with the assistance of AI tools—a sign of the rapidly shifting landscape.

These advances raise new questions about how programmers acquire skills. “There’s potential for real productivity increases, with people writing more code more quickly,” Crowston says. “But the fear is that because you have the machine doing these tasks, people will stop practicing them, with negative consequences for their own abilities.”

To explore this possibility, Crowston, professor of practice Michael Fudge and Francesco Bolici, associate professor at the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio in Italy have put together a three-year proposal for the National Science Foundation.

The Sloan Foundation grant will kickstart the first year of research, supporting student involvement—doctoral students Akit Kumar at Syracuse and Alberto Varone in Italy, along with undergraduate Cassandra Rivera ’27 are part of the team—and two initial studies.

“I was extremely pleased to receive this funding,” Crowston says. “It gives us external validation that our project is addressing an interesting and important idea.”

Learning to Code

The first of the two studies will examine how undergraduate students in a required introductory Python course use generative AI tools. “The hypothesis is that if you’re just using the tool to do your work, you’ll finish the assignments but won’t actually learn,” Crowston says. “We expect students who ask questions to understand each line of code to learn more.”

The researchers are also exploring what motivates these different patterns of use. Students who are genuinely interested in programming may turn to AI in ways that deepen understanding, while students who feel time pressure or are taking the class only to fulfill a requirement may be more inclined to let AI do the work.

At the same time, Crowston noted, programming itself may be evolving. “Maybe the days of coding each for loop are behind us,” he says. “Maybe the real skill is learning how to convey what you want to the AI—and to check that it did it correctly.”

The study will explore how these novel AI skills intersect with the traditional skills of programming.

Long-Term Impacts of AI

Experienced programmers are subjects of the second study. The team plans to interview 40 individuals who develop software to support scientific research about how they use generative AI, what benefits they see and whether they worry about long-term impacts on their own abilities.

For scientific domains, the stakes may be especially high. While AI models have been trained on large amounts of general-purpose Python, they have seen far less specialized code—such as software used to model black hole collisions or other niche scientific phenomena.

“You could imagine the model producing code that looks plausible but isn’t scientifically accurate,” Crowston says. Experienced programmers recognize this risk, he says—“they’re really, really worried about it”—but newer programmers may not have the same skepticism.

Crowston believes the project taps into a broader question facing many professions. What happens to expertise when AI takes over routine tasks? Early evidence from several industries suggests that entry-level hiring is already declining.

“If companies rely on AI to do the work entry-level people used to do, then two years later they have nobody with two years of experience,” he says. “That’s not great for students—and it’s a challenge for employers and universities alike.”

A significant expansion in structure, programming and community outreach  is paving the way for the (CHB) to help position Syracuse University as a national leader in research, education and practice.

An initiative of the (A&S), the and the (IVMF), CHB has a particular focus on the study and promotion of health, well-being and resilience among veterans and military-connected individuals.

Since launching its website and affiliate portal this past summer, have joined CHB—researchers, educators and clinical practitioners from across the University and from area health institutions. have been launched and the student research cohort has been formed.

CHB has hired a dedicated to support affiliate projects. It has also established a for staff who coordinate research initiatives and plans to implement student awards. Additional workshops and research showcases are scheduled for spring.

Building an Ecosystem

CHB is designed to advance translational health behavior research, education and training and provide a collaborative ecosystem for professionals working in the health behavior field, says , A&S professor of psychology, licensed clinical psychologist and CHB director.

Health behavior is a broad, interdisciplinary area that examines the many factors, choices and conditions that influence physical and mental health across the lifespan. The center’s purposeful cross-campus, cross-institutional structure makes it a hub for affiliates to share interests, findings and treatments and engage in academic and professional collaborations. Affiliates conduct basic laboratory studies, field research, clinical trials, digital health intervention work, qualitative studies and implement projects.

Veteran Focus

While CHB operates across a wide range of health behavior fields, a specialized focus on veterans and military-connected individuals complements the University’s commitment to that population, according to Ditre.

“Syracuse University has a national reputation as the best university for veterans and military-connected students. The University has worked with the Syracuse VA for about 30 years, beginning with faculty research collaborations and later expanding to co-mentored training and student placements. Building on that reputation and three decades of partnership, we should also strive to be the best place to learn how to serve veterans,” he says.

Veterans experience higher rates of suicide risk, trauma-related concerns, sleep problems, chronic health conditions and substance use compared to civilian peers. Many also face barriers tied to geography, stigma and complex transitions between military and civilian systems.

“These gaps have real consequences for individuals, families and communities. The University and this center, in collaboration with the IVMF, are uniquely positioned to address them,” Ditre says.

Digital Innovation

Digital innovation is a high priority because technologies like mobile devices, biometric monitoring and virtual reality help researchers collect real-time data from participants and capture their moment-to-moment experiences as well as indicators of health and behavior.

Affiliates have built mobile tools, tested them in trials and worked with community partners to implement check-in platforms and digital interventions that deliver guided exercises or personalized feedback.

“These tools let us reach people who may not engage with traditional services and connect with participants as they go about their daily routines or in settings where traditional care is harder to access. These technologies also help us understand behavior, tailor information to individual needs and deliver support in ways that fit people’s circumstances. For many of the populations we serve, this kind of flexibility is essential,” Ditre says.

Assuring health equity is another key focal point. That means designing studies and programs that are flexible, accessible and attentive to actual conditions and making sure that research benefits and outcomes reach the communities that need them most.

Grant and Award Applications

Application portals for the new pilot grant programs open Jan. 20, 2026, and close Feb. 12, 2026.

The supports cross-departmental and cross-campus projects with external institutional partners. The supports new or expanded Syracuse University and Veterans Affairs collaborations.

The grants range from $500 to $10,000 and the total pool of $50,000 is funded by A&S.

The funds give teams a way to test ideas, build a partnership or generate early data for larger external grant submissions. They also lower the barrier for new investigators who want to connect their work with campus priorities, according to Ditre.

Nominations for the , which cites excellence in research coordination work, are ongoing.

Future Activities

Future plans include more workshops with VA partners and collaboration with University Academic Affairs and the IVMF on a “Voices of Service” showcase where faculty, staff, students and community partners share veteran-focused research, courses and applied programs.

A neuroscience and health behavior research day, new working groups regarding sleep, substance use, trauma and digital health issues, awards for student work and additional community engagement activities are also planned.

When it comes to computer programming, AI is a valuable tool that can write, debug and optimize code on demand.

However, those tools don’t generate perfect code and can’t replace computer science professionals who possess the critical thinking and understanding of algorithms and complex system architecture needed to write effective code, says , the Klaus Schroder Endowed Professor for Engineering and the electrical engineering and computer science department chair in the .

“Students can use AI tools to help them generate code structures and skeletons, but that’s not a replacement for understanding the foundations of computer science and troubleshooting the issues you encounter,” says Jones, a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Recently, Jones helped secure $4.5 million in research funding in AI hardware acceleration, semiconductor design and workforce development. Enhanced hardware resources, combined with cutting-edge AI research on campus, set students up for success through access to industry-scale and industry-grade large language models, foundation models and other types of AI being developed, Jones says.

“We are constantly trying to find ways to integrate new ideas into the courses that we offer, while looking at ways that we can offer relevant and topical content with a technical depth that makes it useful in the field,” Jones says. “Our programs immerse students in the different forms of AI, looking at the AI approaches and the types of hardware designs that are important to run these efficiently.”

Jones sat down with SU Today to discuss how Syracuse’s approach prepares students to not just use AI, but to build the next generation of AI breakthroughs.

Senior Reese Skelly is floating above Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, pondering where in the capital city he wants to visit first. At least, that’s what it looks like through his virtual reality (VR) headset—he’s actually in Bird Library’s Digital Scholarship Space.

“You’re flying a little fast,” cautions Andrew Jonelis, assistant teaching professor of economics. “Maybe slow down before you make yourself queasy.”

Around him, classmates laugh as Skelly, an economics major, “drops” toward a cluster of corrugated-metal rooftops. On the screen, the class can see what he sees: winding dirt roads and clusters of homes pressed against a modern highway.

“That’s what we talked about in class,” Jonelis says, pointing. “Right there—you’ve got informal housing next to developed neighborhoods. That’s economic development in action.”

It’s all part of an assignment for Jonelis’ Economics of Emerging Markets course, one that trades textbooks for experiential learning. With the help of the Digital Scholarship Space staff, students are using VR headsets and an app called WorldLens (formerly EarthQuest) to “visit” the emerging markets they’re studying—without leaving campus.

Jonelis got the idea during a summer teaching institute that showcased new technologies for the classroom.

“I realized this could help students see what life is actually like in emerging markets,” he says. “Numbers and charts don’t hit home the same way.”

In his course, students examine the vast differences in living standards between advanced economies and developing ones.

“The average person in an advanced economy consumes about $150 a day,” Jonelis says. “In many emerging markets, it’s closer to $10 or even $2 a day. That’s a big difference in resources.”

While he spent the beginning of the semester driving home those statistics, Jonelis believes the ability to visualize that difference will make a greater impact.

“I’ve been to some of these countries, and you can very clearly see what struggling with international poverty looks like,” he says. “Just reading about it does not have the same effect.”

The VR sessions all begin the same way.

“Do you get motion sickness?” Jonelis asks. “Start slowly.”

Students are asked to explore various sites in their target market, take screenshots and later write a Development Consultant Mission Memo reflecting on infrastructure, informal economies and how public services reach people on the ground.

“Do all these citizens have access to clean water, sanitation or proper, safe electricity that’s well regulated?” Jonelis asks. “How do people get around to go to work or school? Can you tell how public services are delivered?”

Junior economics major Bram Feenstra takes the class around Dushanbe, Tajikistan, while Jonelis explains some of what the students are seeing.

“Here the infrastructure doesn’t look too bad, but I bet if you go to the rural areas, you’re going to see more deficient infrastructure that hasn’t been maintained following the fall and collapse of the Soviet Union,” he says.

Next up is Castries, St. Lucia, with Ashley Ryan. She lands in front of the National Insurance Corporation building, then visits the Grass Street area to walk through an urban shantytown and a street full of vendors selling produce and other food.

“It’s very cool to feel like I am standing right there with them,” she says.

Classmate Anna Slight travels to Tandale, a neighborhood of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where the VR places her inside a fruit market before she ventures out to explore different parts of the coastal city.

“Seeing the areas of informal housing we discussed in class really helped me understand what we’re talking about when we say ‘developing economies,’” she says.

For Jonelis, that connection between concept and lived experience is exactly the point.

“VR lets students feel what it’s like to stand in the middle of an emerging market—to notice how people get around, how the economy operates,” he says. “It’s the next best thing to being there.”

The project also showcases how the University’s Digital Scholarship Space is reimagining classroom learning.

“We’re seeing more faculty experiment with immersive technologies,” says staff member Sam Santiago, who helps students with the headsets. “Economics might not be the first discipline you think of for VR—but it works.”

As Slight finishes her virtual tour, Jonelis grins.

“There’s some economic development for you,” he says, watching the headset view flicker between a sleek office building and a nearby settlement of corrugated roof housing.

For a moment, everyone is somewhere between Syracuse and Tanzania, the real and the virtual. Then Slight removes the headset and laughs. “I think I just flew through a mountain,” she says.

“Well,” Jonelis quips, “that’s globalization for you.”