Thijs Roumen
Assistant Professor of Information Science (Cornell Tech, NYC / Cornell Bowers CIS)
Cornell Tech • NYC
CATAI: Cornell Initiative for Assistive Technology and AI
We bring together human-centered assistive technology, AI, and real-world deployment to expand access, independence, and quality of life.
Focus areas
- Assistive robotics & embodied interaction
- AI for accessibility & human-AI collaboration
- Inclusive sensing, systems, and deployments
- Community partnerships in New York City
About CATAI
CATAI is a Cornell-based Initiative in New York City focused on assistive technology and AI. We connect research, design, and deployment to build tools that support people with disabilities, older adults, and anyone who benefits from accessible, human-centered technology.
Research
Human-centered AI, accessibility, assistive robotics, and sensing systems built for the real world.
Education
Student mentorship, project-based learning, and cross-disciplinary collaboration across Cornell.
Engagement
Partnerships with practitioners and community organizations to pilot, evaluate, and improve impact.
People
Executive Committee. Click a profile to learn more.
Aditya Vashistha
Assistant Professor of Information Science (Cornell Bowers CIS)
Rajalakshmi Nandakumar
Assistant Professor (Cornell Tech, NYC / Cornell Bowers CIS / Jacobs Technion-Cornell Institute)
Tapomayukh “Tapo” Bhattacharjee
Assistant Professor of Computer Science (Cornell Bowers CIS)
Affiliate Faculty
We welcome faculty from across campuses and departments within Cornell to support our initiative as affiliate faculty. Send us an email if you are interested in being considered for this! Current affiliates:- Tanzeem Choudhury , full professor in Information Science at Cornell Tech, NYC
- Shiri Azenkot , full professor in Information Science at Cornell Tech, NYC
- Andrea Stevenson Won , full professor in Communication at Cornell, Ithaca
Partner Organizations and Communities
We are always looking to expand our network to new organizations and communities in the broader NY area. As of now, we partner with the following organizations:
ADAPT community
Community network, clinics, schools for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in NYCYAI | seeing beyond disabilities
Community network with clinics, schools for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in NYC and beyondWeill Cornell Center for Aging and Behavioural Research
Research group at Weill Cornell focused on Aging and Behavioural HealthSean Parker Institute of the Voice
Ear Nose and Throat clinic at Weill Cornell focused on speechCornell Tech Runway Postdoc program
Incubator for tech start-upsBiweekly Seminar Series (Virtual)
A biweekly seminar every alternate Thursday , 10:00–11:00 AM (ET), held virtually.
- Talks + demos on assistive technology, accessibility, and AI
- Open to Cornell community and invited guests
- Hosts: CATAI faculty and collaborators
At a glance
- When
- Alternate Thursdays, 10–11 AM ET
- Where
- Virtual (link shared with registrants)
- Format
- Talk (30–40 min) + discussion
News & Events
[CATAI seminar] Mar 5: Aditya Vashistha on “AI Safety for the Global Majority”
current approaches to AI safety are limited not only in scope but in standpoint. When safety is defined from dominant social and geographic positions, the harms that matter most to marginalized communities become invisible, anecdotal, or secondary.
Thursday March 5th 10AM in the CATAI seminar
[CATAI seminar] Mar 19: Rajalakshmi Nandakumar on “Improving accessibility through novel wireless sensing technologies”
Coming soon...
Thursday March 19th 10AM in the CATAI seminar
[CATAI seminar] April 2nd: Sara Czaja (Weill Cornell Medicine) director of center for aging and behavioural research;
Coming soon...
Thursday April 2nd 10AM in the CATAI seminar
[CATAI seminar] April 16: TBD
Coming soon...
Thursday April 16th 10AM in the CATAI seminar
[CATAI seminar] April 30th: Ronak Parikh, VP Community and Business Development at the ADAPT network
Coming soon...
Thursday April 30th 10AM in the CATAI seminar
[CATAI seminar] May 7th: Ravi Dahiya, Chief Strategy Officer at YAI | seeing beyond disability
Coming soon...
Thursday May 7th 10AM in the CATAI seminar
Contact
Get in touch
Email: catai@cornell.edu
Location
Cornell Tech (NYC)
Roosevelt Island, New York, NY