SUNY Poly Team Meets with The Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab to Explore Collaboration
The rapid expansion of AI has brought both remarkable opportunities and ethical challenges. As AI continues to shape industries and societies, the need for responsible AI development has become more crucial than ever. Recognising this, during their visit to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), the SUNY Polytechnic Institute team participated in a significant session with the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL).
The meeting commenced with an overview of the AI for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) Project, an initiative under RAIL, led by Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, the Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of RAIL and the Project Lead for AI4SD. He emphasised that the lab’s focus is not just on AI’s performance metrics but also on its ethical, societal, and human-centred impact. “We are very interested in how technology interacts with society. Every single project we undertake is aimed at adding value to the quality of life of people,” Prof. Kponyo noted.
The session saw presentations from the various project theme leads. In agriculture, AI is being leveraged to improve productivity and reduce food imports, with efforts including AI-driven irrigation systems, disease detection in crops, and sustainable farming practices. In health, researchers are developing AI-powered smart medical imaging diagnostic tools and genomic studies to identify rare diseases in babies. The education sector also sees advancements as the team introduces AI and robotics into Ghanaian high schools to encourage more students to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers. Meanwhile, AI is used in energy to optimise power consumption, redesign buildings for energy efficiency, and predict maintenance needs. The lab is committed to inclusivity and developing affordable assistive AI technologies for persons with disabilities, including sign language interpretation tools.
Another key focus of the discussion was RAIL’s Responsible AI Framework, FACETS, which ensures that AI projects align with Fairness, Accountability, Confidentiality, Equity, Transparency and Safety principles. This framework is designed to prevent AI solutions from exacerbating inequalities and instead foster inclusivity.
The SUNY delegation, represented by Prof. Wole Soboyejo, Prof. Steve Schneider and Prof. William Thistleton, expressed enthusiasm about the meeting, noting significant overlap between the AI initiatives at RAIL and their research priorities. Prof. Schneider praised RAIL’s Responsible AI framework, revealing that his recent proposal was based on similar principles. “There are very few places in the world that have such an explicitly laid-out Responsible AI framework,” he said. “We didn’t get the funding, but this meeting confirms we’re on the right track.”
The SUNY team also highlighted potential areas of collaboration. One of the key areas of interest was developing Edge AI applications for farmers who work offline, enabling them to determine water and fertiliser needs without requiring internet connectivity. Additionally, the team explored ways to enhance AI literacy in high schools by incorporating AI into STEM education. “We need to discuss strategies for fine-tuning AI prototypes into scalable market solutions to ensure research translates into real-world impact”. Prof. Thistleton noted.
As the meeting concluded, both teams expressed optimism about the road ahead. The collaboration will lead to joint research projects, student exchange programs, and shared AI solutions that will benefit Ghana and the United States. Prof. Wole apprehended the spirit of the partnership, stating, “This is not just about AI. It’s about solving real problems and ensuring our work translates into impact. I am very excited about what we can achieve together.”
Beyond discussions on responsible AI, the visit also served as a platform for deeper academic engagement. SUNY Poly’s International Students representatives, Willjavian Dawson and Kevyn Hill, introduced students to both their undergraduate and graduate programs that provide hands-on AI training, including the Master of Science in Data Science and Analytics, the Master of Science in Cybersecurity, and the Master of Science in Computer Science. Students eagerly inquired about opportunities to apply their AI knowledge in real-world problem-solving and global research collaborations. As the conversations unfolded, it became clear that there was strong mutual interest in developing joint AI-driven healthcare, agriculture, and education projects.
Following the meeting, the SUNY Poly team embarked on a tour of the College of Engineering’s research laboratories, where they were informed about various innovative AI-driven projects developed by students and faculty. The Innovation Centre featured AI-powered robots for crop disease detection and climate mapping alongside robots made from recycled plastic. In the Materials Lab, researchers showcased AI-driven alloy design and advanced materials for industrial applications. The delegation also visited the Rhodes and Schwarze (RF) Lab, which investigates radio frequency and communication technologies, and the Dipper Lab, which focuses on advancing AI in exchange transmission procedures and high-performance computing. The final stop was the Internet of Things (IoT) Lab, where AI-integrated sensor systems for livestock tracking and water quality monitoring are being developed.
