SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. doubled down on the importance of innovative research, diversity and equity opportunities, while also announcing the expansion of vital programs during his third State of the University address on Wednesday.

King’s address comes at a time when universities across the country are seeing cuts to vital research programs by the Trump administration, and as New York State resists federal efforts to dismantle DEI programs in K-12 schools.

"I want to be extremely clear: the threats to higher education research budgets at the federal level strike at the heart of lifesaving innovation," he said during his speech. "SUNY’s groundbreaking work is not immune — everything from medical discoveries like cures for Alzheimer’s and new early detection methods for cancers and brain aneurysms, to our work studying treatments for 9/11 first responders, and so much more — is at risk. And despite these attacks, our resolve is unwavering."

King, who oversees a system of 64 colleges and universities, discussed initiatives implemented to attract more students, touted workforce development programs and detailed research advancements going on in SUNY schools.

In his speech, King touted the SUNY Empire AI Initiative, a partnership between New York’s public and private universities aimed at establishing a state-of-the-art artificial intelligence computing center, housed at SUNY’s University at Buffalo.

He spoke about SUNY Binghamton Associate Professor Jeremy Blackburn, who is working with AI to "understand how social media is used to spread extremist ideologies" as he examines antisemitism. Blackburn recently lost a grant from the National Science Foundation that was awarded to him to study misinformation and disinformation, but King said the professor was hopeful that Empire AI would allow him to continue his work.

In addition to the eight new departments and centers of AI announced last year, King said, more is coming.

"This year, we will build partnerships between our research-intensive University Centers and other two- and four-year campuses to engage more students in AI-powered research and in AI workforce readiness," King said.

King during his speech stressed the importance of exposing students to "a range of ideas and experiences" while also protecting students from racism, antisemitism and any other form of hatred or bigotry.

"At SUNY, DEI is not only one of our pillars; it’s in our DNA. Our enabling statute, written more than 75 years ago, promises that SUNY "will provide to the people of New York educational services of the highest quality, with the broadest possible access, fully representative of all segments of the population," he said.

Starting this fall, SUNY leaders said they would ensure that all student organizations leaders were trained in federal Title VI civil rights protections. This is in addition to requirements that all faculty and staff complete Title VI training, and that every campus appoints a Title VI coordinator, King said.

"And DEI is more than that: it’s the secret sauce that gives universities the unique power to bring Americans together across all lines of difference — geography and race, religion and income, politics and nationality," King said.