Dallas billionaires back UT-Austin medical expansion

Dallas-based billionaires Michael Dell and Susan Dell are investing more than $750 million into the University of Texas at Austin to build a new artificial intelligence-driven medical center and research campus, university officials announced Tuesday.

The gift, made through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, will fund the UT Dell Campus for Advanced Research and a new UT Dell Medical Center on the university’s former West Pickle Research Campus in North Austin. The medical center is expected to open in 2030 as the centerpiece of a sprawling 300-acre development.

University leaders said construction could begin as early as this fall on what they describe as the nation’s first “AI-native” hospital, designed to integrate artificial intelligence into patient care, diagnostics, and hospital operations from the ground up.

The donation places the Dells among the most significant contributors in the university’s history, making them the first donors to surpass $1 billion in total giving to the UT system. Their philanthropic support spans more than two decades, including investments in computer science programs, medical education, and need-based student scholarships.

For Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, the project reflects both personal ties and regional needs. A former UT-Austin student, Dell launched his company in 1984 from a campus dorm room. Since then, Central Texas has experienced rapid population growth, intensifying demand for expanded health care infrastructure.

“I was born in Texas. My wife was born in Texas. This is our home,” Dell told the Associated Press. He added that “building a stronger health system here” and supporting regional stability remain key priorities.

The scale of the donation places it among the largest in higher education philanthropy in recent years. Comparable gifts include Phil Knight’s $2 billion pledge to Oregon Health & Science University’s cancer center and Michael Bloomberg’s $1.8 billion contribution to expand financial aid at Johns Hopkins University.

University officials say the new campus presents what they describe as a “rare” opportunity to build a medical system from scratch with advanced technology embedded at every level. The initiative is expected to enhance patient care, accelerate research, and expand access to health services in one of the country's fastest-growing regions.

Additional project details, including clinical partnerships and research priorities, are expected to be released as planning progresses.