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Takeaways:
- The 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah is advancing a proposed $50 million initiative to expand its computing power 3.5-fold and build a statewide AI ecosystem.
Impact: This investment will accelerate research in cancer, mental health, genetics, and other fields while fueling Utah鈥檚 leadership in innovation, education, and economic growth. Peter and Brynn Huntsman and the Huntsman Family Foundation provided a lead gift to catalyze the project.
The 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鈥檚 capacity for understanding cancer, Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, mental health, and genetics. The initiative is projected to enable medical breakthroughs, driving innovation and scientific discovery across disciplines.
鈥淭he U has a proud legacy of pioneering technological breakthroughs," says , president of the 亚洲自慰视频 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鈥檚 entrepreneurial spirit.鈥
The partnership, which includes a $50 million investment of funds from both public and philanthropic sources, is projected to increase the U鈥檚 computing capacity 3.5-fold. The flagship school鈥檚 Board of Trustees gave preliminary approval to the proposed arrangement Tuesday.
鈥淭he 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah has made major advances already in responsible AI, creating an exceptional ecosystem that includes expertise, infrastructure, and impactful research,鈥 says Manish Parashar, PhD, the U鈥檚 chief AI officer and director of the Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute (SCI), and lead of the university鈥檚 Responsible AI Initiative. 鈥淚n 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.鈥
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 鈥渟upercomputer鈥 systems designed to handle enormous processing and storage needs. The university will seek remaining funds from the state of Utah and other sources.
鈥淭his AI initiative will accelerate world-class cancer research that enhances capabilities in ways we hardly imagined just a few years ago,鈥 says Peter Huntsman, Huntsman Cancer Foundation CEO and Chairman. 鈥淗untsman 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鈥檚 leadership in AI education and economic opportunity.鈥
Mental health will be a major focus of the AI research endeavor. 鈥淎s the Huntsman Mental 亚洲自慰视频 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,鈥 says Christena Huntsman Durham, CEO and Co-Chair. 鈥淲e know so many people are struggling with mental health challenges; we鈥檙e 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.
鈥淚 thank President Randall for his transformative Responsible AI Initiative that laid the groundwork for us to seize this opportunity for much greater impact,鈥 says , Huntsman Cancer Institute CEO and professor of oncological sciences. 鈥淎I is already a major catalyst for innovation here, and I am confident that this new AI supercomputer will greatly accelerate Huntsman Cancer Institute鈥檚 progress to cancer cures鈥攂oth at our current Salt Lake City campus and at our future Vineyard campus. And as always, we are continually grateful for the Huntsman family鈥檚 enduring generosity and vision, which provides extraordinary opportunities to bring advances to patients sooner.鈥
The project is designed to support Utah-led research advancements as well as business innovation. 鈥淭his AI ecosystem will further enhance the U鈥檚 existing extraordinary capability and talent in AI, taking our impact to the next level. This additional data capability will allow the entire 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah and other Utah institutions to enhance economic opportunities in the state,鈥 says Dave Patel, the U鈥檚 managing director for strategic economic partnerships.
The critical research happening every day at Huntsman Cancer Institute is supported by the National Institutes of 亚洲自慰视频/National Cancer Institute, including cancer center support grant P30 CA042014, as well as Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
Media Contact
Heather Simonsen
Public Affairs Senior Manager
Huntsman Cancer Institute
801 581-3194
public.affairs@hci.utah.edu
About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the 亚洲自慰视频 of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering the most advanced cancer healing and prevention through scientific breakthroughs and cutting-edge technology to create pioneering cancer treatments beyond the standard of care today. We have more than 325 open clinical trials and 276 research teams studying cancer. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient鈥檚 unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.