NEW YORK — Billionaires Michael Dell and Susan Dell donated $750 million to the University of Texas at Austin to support the development of a new medical center and expand research and health care capabilities, officials said Tuesday.
The university said the UT Dell Medical Center is expected to open in 2030 as part of a 300-plus-acre research campus. Officials said construction could begin this fall.
University leaders said the facility will integrate artificial intelligence into hospital operations, describing it as an “AI-native” hospital designed to improve patient care and streamline clinical processes.
The donation brings the Dells’ total contributions to the university to more than $1 billion, making them the first donors in the University of Texas system to reach that level, according to officials.
Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, said the investment reflects a commitment to expanding health care infrastructure in Central Texas as the region’s population grows.
University officials said the project will include collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide specialized care.
Claudia Lucchinetti said the hospital will incorporate artificial intelligence into care delivery, including tools to monitor patients, assist clinicians, and identify early signs of disease.
Officials said the funding will also support undergraduate scholarships, student housing, and the university’s Texas Advanced Computing Center, where a large academic supercomputer is under development.
The donation is among the largest in higher education and comes as universities increasingly rely on major private contributions. The university said the gift will serve as a lead contribution for a planned 10-year campaign to raise $10 billion.
