Stony Brook Appointed Inaugural AI Department Chair
Donghee Yvette Wohn began leading the new Department of Technology, AI and Society on September 1, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in People
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Stony Brook University selected Donghee Yvette Wohn as the inaugural chair for its Department of Technology, AI and Society. She officially stepped into the role on September 1, 2026.
Why it matters
The department was created to examine the complex intersection of artificial intelligence, culture, and the economy. It seeks to bolster the universitys network of innovators and AI researchers.
The new department launched with a $5 million SUNY grant spanning a three-year period. This funding supports the academic infrastructure for the inaugural leadership role.
The players
Donghee Yvette Wohn
She is the inaugural chair of the Department of Technology, AI and Society who previously directed the PhD program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Stony Brook University
This is a public research university in New York that is home to the newly formed Department of Technology, AI and Society.
State University of New York (SUNY)
This is the public university system in New York that provided the $5 million grant to launch the new department.
The details
The Department of Technology, AI and Society is housed within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The university conducted an extensive search process to identify Wohn to lead the departments mission.
Timeline
September 1, 2026: Donghee Yvette Wohn began her role as inaugural chair.
Three-year period: The duration of the $5 million SUNY grant.
Market Landscape
The establishment of this department formalizes an academic investment in AI that reflects a growing national trend toward interdisciplinary tech studies. This positions Stony Brook University to compete more aggressively for research talent against established programs at peer institutions.
Students and prospective researchers can expect new opportunities for collaboration and study within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The department’s formation suggests an increased institutional focus on AI, which may influence future curriculum and program availability.
The takeaway
The creation of this department highlights the rising importance of specialized AI research in higher education. Leaders in the field are increasingly prioritizing academic departments that bridge the gap between technological development and social consequences.
Further reading
For more updates on professional movements within the state, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TBR News Media.
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