AI² is powered by a hybrid infrastructure through Dell Technologies and leading hyperscalers Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft that blends secure on-premises computing with scalable cloud capability. The initiative represents a $10 million combined investment of TCU funding and corporate partner contributions — including hardware, software and cloud services — marking one of the university’s largest research and technology investments to date.

“The volume of AI-driven work and research on campus currently is impressive, and these investments will scale TCU’s capacity quickly, ethically and collaboratively,” said Floyd Wormley, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “It’s critical that we support the academic units with work underway and forge a path that empowers all TCU students, faculty and staff to leverage every innovation available to enhance our mission and make a lasting impact.”

Transforming Learning and Research
AI² centralizes and accelerates TCU’s growing work in artificial intelligence, enabling faculty to collaborate across disciplines — from business and engineering to the liberal and fine arts — under a unified, ethical framework. The initiative strengthens the institution’s role in the region’s growing innovation ecosystem. AI² represents a cornerstone of TCU’s continued rise as a research-intensive university, advancing the institution toward Research One (R1) classification.

“AI² gives our faculty and students a world-class tool to foster interdisciplinary research partnerships and generate high-impact outcomes,” said Reuben F. Burch V, vice provost for research and professor of engineering. “TCU’s first major research investment being in AI shows our commitment to the future and equips our faculty and students with the tools to shape how AI accelerates their work and drives innovation at an unprecedented pace.”

Hybrid Power: Secure, Scalable and Strategic
AI² uses a dual approach that establishes high-performance AI computing on campus for research requiring data security and local control, while leveraging cloud resources for projects that require expansive or flexible computing needs. This hybrid structure allows the university to scale efficiently without over-expanding physical infrastructure while also being mindful of power consumption.

TCU is leveraging the Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA to provide the on-premises IT foundation. Dell AI infrastructure, including Dell PowerEdge servers with NVIDIA GPUs, NVIDIA Spectrum-X Ethernet networking and Dell PowerScale scale-out NAS, delivers the high-performance foundation needed to support TCU’s interdisciplinary research and AI-driven innovation. NVIDIA AI Enterprise software and open Nemotron models, among others, will be used by students and faculty to develop agentic solutions to optimize university operations. The combination equips TCU to enhance operational efficiency and drive transformative outcomes across its campus.

"Dell Technologies is committed to empowering higher education institutions with the tools to transform learning and accelerate innovation," Jennifer Herbert, head of public sector sales, North America, Dell Technologies, said. "Our Dell AI Factory with NVIDIA provides the secure, scalable infrastructure behind TCU’s landmark AI² initiative. TCU researchers and students will be enabled to explore new frontiers in ethical AI, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and drive meaningful impact across their campus and beyond.”

Distinctive, Responsible and Interdisciplinary
Unlike institutions that focus narrowly on a single discipline, TCU’s approach emphasizes ethical and practical application across the full academic spectrum. As AI² evolves, faculty governance will guide development in four key areas: using AI tools in teaching, using AI in research, conducting research about AI and ensuring ethical AI practices.

“TCU’s investment is more than hardware and software — it’s another proof point that we are serious about innovation and impact,” said Bryan Lucas, chief technology officer. “Powering research capability for new projects and many currently underway is one aspect of AI². In coming months, we will be launching additional tools and services for faculty teaching and research, student learning certificates that prepare them for real-world AI uses and institutional tools that enable TCU to continue to offer the best academic experience in the country.”

For more information, visit tcu.edu/ai.