Kahlert Foundation donates $5.2M for AI Institute at Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University in Orem has received a $5.2 million gift from the Kahlert Foundation to create the Kahlert Applied Artificial Intelligence Institute at the school.
The grant will position UVU as a national leader in applied and ethical artificial intelligence (AI) education, the university said in a release.
The Kahlert Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in Utah and Maryland to improve the quality of life in communities, with a focus on health care, education, youth programs, veteran organizations and human services.
“We express our gratitude to the Kahlert Foundation for their investment in UVU to shape the future of learning and innovation,” said Astrid S. Tuminez, president of UVU. “This partnership accelerates our ability to prepare students for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Students from every background will have the opportunity to acquire the tools needed to lead, create and learn AI. The Kahlert Applied AI Institute will be where innovation meets application.”
The university said the new institute will seek to unite education, research and workforce development to prepare UVU students with the skills to thrive in an AI-powered world. Students from across disciplines, including health care, business, engineering, the arts and humanities may access AI tools, mentorship and hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world careers.
The Kahlert Applied AI Institute builds on UVU’s existing initiatives, including partnerships with leading AI tech company Nvidia and the launch of the AI apprenticeship program, which provides training, certifications and industry collaboration. With the foundation’s support, UVU will expand faculty training and develop AI-enhanced academic programs.
“What excites me most about partnering with UVU is how the university looks to the future, and there is no better example than the Applied AI Institute,” said Heather Kahlert, executive vice president of the Kahlert Foundation. “We see a powerful alignment with UVU’s mission to make education accessible and relevant for every student, and we are proud to help launch this groundbreaking institute.”