Stony Brook University has announced the appointment of Lav Varshney as the inaugural director of its Artificial Intelligence Innovation Institute (AI3). After an extensive national search, Varshney, a prominent figure in the field of artificial intelligence, will also hold the inaugural Della Pietra Infinity Chair.
Varshney’s Background and Achievements
Lav Varshney joins Stony Brook from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he served as a faculty member in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His affiliations extended to departments such as computer science, neuroscience, and several others, showcasing a diverse academic portfolio. His previous roles include a visiting scholar at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and appointments with the RAND Corporation and Brookhaven National Lab.
Varshney brings a wealth of experience across industry, academia, and government sectors. He is notably the chief scientist at Ensaras, an AI-driven company optimizing wastewater systems, and the CEO and co-founder of Kocree, an AI startup aimed at democratizing music creativity. His distinguished career includes roles as a White House Fellow and contributions to AI policy on the National Security Council staff.
Vision for AI3
As the director of AI3, Varshney plans to expand on the groundwork laid by more than 40 faculty and staff members. His goal is to steer the research direction of the institute, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the university. This initiative aligns with Stony Brook’s partnership in Empire AI, a $250 million state investment in AI and computing.
Carl W. Lejuez, executive vice president and provost, expressed enthusiasm about Varshney’s appointment. “Lav exemplifies the ethos and vision of Stony Brook’s AI3. He is committed to working across disciplines to find actionable solutions that will have a meaningful, positive impact on society,” said Lejuez.
Research Interests and Contributions
Varshney’s research interests span a wide array of subjects, including AI foundations, ethics, information theory, and technology innovation. He has authored over 300 papers published in top conferences and journals, contributing significantly to the field’s academic discourse.
His prior work includes leading the development of the first commercially successful generative AI technology at IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center and being part of the team at Salesforce Research AI, which released the first billion-parameter large language model.
Della Pietra Infinity Chair and Future Prospects
The Della Pietra Infinity Chair’s creation was made possible through generous contributions from the Stephen Della Pietra and Pamela Hurst-Della Pietra Family Foundation. Trustee Stephen Della Pietra stated, “We are honored to have created this prestigious position and excited to welcome Lav Varshney to advance the field of artificial intelligence at Stony Brook University.”
With this new leadership role, Varshney aims to spark interdisciplinary collaboration and bolster both emerging and established fields. His appointment is seen as a crucial step in strengthening Stony Brook’s future in AI research.
Community Impact and Educational Roles
In addition to his research, Varshney has played a significant role in education. He has advised numerous master’s and doctoral students and mentored many undergraduates. His teaching experience includes courses in electrical and computer engineering, and he has contributed to interdisciplinary courses blending engineering with literature and humanities.
His active involvement in professional organizations such as IEEE and participation in global competitions like the AI Prize further highlight his commitment to advancing the AI field.
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Note: This article is inspired by content from https://news.stonybrookmedicine.edu/news/varshney-named-inaugural-director-of-stony-brook-ai-innovation-institute/ . It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.