The University of Utah is looking to join forces with two powerhouse tech firms to accelerate research and discovery using artificial intelligence (AI).
The agreement with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and AI chipmaker NVIDIA will amplify the university’s capacity for understanding cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, mental health, and genetics. The initiative is projected to enable medical breakthroughs, driving innovation and scientific discovery across disciplines.
“The U has a proud legacy of pioneering technological breakthroughs,” says Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah. “Our goal is to make the state awash in computing power by building a robust AI ecosystem benefiting our entire system of higher education, driving research to find new cures, and igniting Utah’s entrepreneurial spirit.”
The partnership, which includes a $50 million investment of funds from both public and philanthropic sources, is projected to increase the U’s computing capacity 3.5-fold. The flagship school’s Board of Trustees gave preliminary approval to the proposed arrangement Tuesday.
“The University of Utah has made major advances already in responsible AI, creating an exceptional ecosystem that includes expertise, infrastructure, and impactful research,” says Manish Parashar, PhD, the U’s chief AI officer and director of the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI), and lead of the university’s Responsible AI Initiative. “In order to advance this to even greater heights, it is critical to acquire essential new technology for AI, cementing Utah’s leadership role in this space.”
The structure paves a path for substantial advances in computing, storage, and infrastructure required for Utah-based projects in AI and innovation. The goal is to lay the foundation for a scalable AI ecosystem available to researchers, learners, and entrepreneurs across Utah.
The multi-year initiative would build upon existing capabilities in AI, giving the U access to substantially more computing power.
Brynn and Peter Huntsman along with the Huntsman Family Foundation will provide a lead philanthropic gift to the U that is intended to initiate the project and help encourage other supporters to make investments required to move the work forward through AI “supercomputer” systems designed to handle enormous processing and storage needs. The university will seek remaining funds from the state of Utah and other sources.
“This AI initiative will accelerate world-class cancer research that enhances capabilities in ways we hardly imagined just a few years ago,” says Peter Huntsman, Huntsman Cancer Foundation CEO and Chairman. “Huntsman Cancer Foundation recently announced our commitment to support the expansion of the educational, research, and clinical care capacity of the world-renowned Huntsman Cancer Institute in Vineyard, Utah, which will serve as a hub for cancer AI research. These investments will speed discoveries and enhance the state of Utah’s leadership in AI education and economic opportunity.”
Mental health will be a major focus of the AI research endeavor. “As the Huntsman Mental Health Institute opens its new 185,000-square-foot Translational Research Building this coming year, we’re looking forward to increasing momentum around mental health research, including the impact of this technology,” says Christena Huntsman Durham, Huntsman Mental Health Foundation CEO and Co-Chair. “We know so many people are struggling with mental health challenges; we’re thrilled we will be able to move even faster to get help to those who need it most.”
This AI private-public partnership would facilitate cutting-edge research by dramatically compressing the time it takes to answer trial-and-error research questions.
“I thank President Randall for his transformative Responsible AI Initiative that laid the groundwork for us to seize this opportunity for much greater impact,” says Bradley Cairns, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO and professor of oncological sciences. “AI is already a major catalyst for innovation here, and I am confident that this new AI supercomputer will greatly accelerate Huntsman Cancer Institute’s progress to cancer cures—both at our current Salt Lake City campus and at our future Vineyard campus. And as always, we are continually grateful for the Huntsman family’s enduring generosity and vision, which provides extraordinary opportunities to bring advances to patients sooner.”
The project is designed to support Utah-led research advancements as well as business innovation. “This AI ecosystem will further enhance the U’s existing extraordinary capability and talent in AI, taking our impact to the next level. This additional data capability will allow the entire University of Utah and other Utah institutions to enhance economic opportunities in the state,” says Dave Patel, the U’s managing director for strategic economic partnerships.
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
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