Dell family gives $750M to UT for AI hospital

Billionaires Michael Dell and Susan Dell have pledged $750 million to the University of Texas at Austin to build a next-generation hospital powered by artificial intelligence, a project leaders say will transform health care delivery in the rapidly growing capital city.

University officials announced the planned expansion of Dell Medical Center on Tuesday, with an expected opening in 2030 as part of a new 300-plus-acre research campus. University officials said construction could begin as early as this fall, describing the facility as the nation’s first “AI-native” hospital—designed from the ground up to integrate artificial intelligence into patient care and operations.

The gift pushes the Dells’ total giving to the UT system past $1 billion, making them the first donors to reach that threshold, according to university officials. Over the past two decades, their contributions have supported computer science programs, medical education, and student financial aid.

Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, said the investment reflects both personal roots and regional need. “I was born in Texas. My wife was born in Texas. This is our home,” Dell told Associated Press. He added that strengthening local health systems and supporting Central Texas growth are priorities.

Austin’s population has surged recently, placing increased strain on health infrastructure. The university's leaders say the new hospital will help address capacity gaps while advancing research in data-driven medicine, diagnostics, and treatment planning.

The scale of the donation places it among the largest in higher education philanthropy. It follows major gifts such as Phil Knight’s $2 billion pledge to Oregon Health & Science University and Michael Bloomberg’s $1.8 billion contribution to Johns Hopkins University.

University officials described the project as a rare opportunity to integrate advanced technology into a medical center from its earliest design stages. By embedding AI in clinical workflows, administrators can expect improvements in efficiency, patient outcomes, and access to care.

As planning progresses, we anticipate receiving additional details about the hospital's design and partnerships.