Indian-origin couple gifts $20 mn to American university for focus on AI, advanced analytics

An Indian couple has donated $20 million to the University of North Texas in Texas, focusing on artificial intelligence and advanced analytics. The Sinha couple, Anuradha and Vikas, have established the Anuradha and Vikas Sinha College of Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Analytics at UNT, which will serve as an academic and research hub.

The college will be divided into two divisions: Applied Intelligence and Informatics, and Information and Learning Applications. The Sinhas' investment in UNT has grown over time, with gifts establishing the Sinha Department of Data Science, the Sinha Innovation Lab for Data Science, and the Sinha Applied Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Institute.

The university president, Harrison Keller, noted that AI is rapidly changing various aspects of work, research, and problem-solving, and universities have a responsibility to shape its future. The Sinhas believe that education opened doors for them and want to help others. The $20 million gift will create six permanent endowments supporting various aspects of college life, including leadership, scholarships, endowed professorships, entrepreneurship, and research.