UTICA, NY — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) Professor Dr. Steven M. Schneider, co-director of the university’s Artificial Intelligence Exploration (AIX) Center, has been selected as one of the inaugural SUNY AI for the Public Good Fellows.

As part of this distinguished cohort of 20 SUNY faculty and staff across disciplines, Dr. Schneider will help advance SUNY’s efforts to incorporate AI literacy into courses and learning activities, supporting faculty and staff across the system in equipping students with the skills to ethically and effectively use artificial intelligence.
 
“The AI for the Public Good mission closely aligns with SUNY Poly’s ‘AI for All’ philosophy and the work we do at AIX—both emphasize using AI to serve humanity’s broader challenges rather than merely individual or commercial interests,” said Schneider. “Building communities around shared technological exploration is central to this effort, and the fellowship’s system-wide reach supports the goal of connecting faculty, instructional designers, and librarians who embrace AI’s potential for educational transformation.”

Schneider added that this fellowship allows him to help the AIX Center serve as a system-wide resource while also supporting the updated Information Literacy core competency of the SUNY General Education Framework. “With AI now explicitly included in the curriculum, we have an unprecedented opportunity to help faculty integrate ethical AI practices into their teaching,” said Schneider. “My vision is to ensure AI serves humanity’s challenges while realizing our collective potential for continued progress.”

Drawing on his experience as a first-generation internet studies scholar, Schneider reflected on the lessons learned from past technological transformations: “Witnessing the internet’s evolution taught me that successful adoption requires intentional community building and transparent engagement—lessons that apply directly to AI in higher education. I am excited to work with educators who see AI as an opportunity to create environments where AI is naturally integrated into authentic learning processes. By making AI a transparent tool that enhances both integrity and outcomes, we can ensure it strengthens academic learning and serves the public good.”

Dr. Schneider and SUNY Poly Provost Dr. Andrew Russell were also recently interviewed by Spectrum News, discussing how the university’s students are learning to engage with AI as a tool that empowers people to build their own models of knowledge, while also stressing the importance of using AI responsibly to enhance—rather than replace—human judgment and learning. This fellowship complements SUNY Poly’s newly launched AI for All initiative, which is advancing efforts across curriculum, research and innovation, and workforce development as the university continues to expand its role in shaping the future of ethical and applied artificial intelligence.