Capital One and the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science today announced a transformative $4.5 million partnership to establish the Capital One AI Research Neighborhood and launch the Capital One Ph.D. Fellowship Awards. This collaboration will accelerate artificial intelligence research and education while helping to create the next generation of AI leaders in financial technology.
The partnership includes a $2 million investment to create the Capital One AI Research Neighborhood within UVA Engineering’s future Whitehead Road Engineering Academic Building, which will be matched by an additional $2 million from the University for a total facility investment of $4 million. An additional $500,000 will establish the Capital One Ph.D. Fellowship Awards program to support Ph.D. students conducting AI research.
Advancing AI Innovation at UVA Engineering
The Capital One AI Research Neighborhood will span approximately 31,000 square feet and serve as the epicenter of AI research at UVA, bringing together more than 50 AI researchers from UVA Engineering and enabling collaboration with faculty from across Grounds. The facility will focus on cutting-edge research in machine learning, data analytics, behavioral design, cyber systems, and model-based systems engineering.
“This transformative gift from Capital One is an investment in advancing the frontiers of artificial intelligence research as well as preparing the next generation of engineering leaders,” said Jennifer L. West, Saunders Family Professor and Dean of UVA Engineering. “We are grateful to Capital One for their partnership, which will have a tremendous impact on our students, faculty, and the AI field.”
Researchers will tackle major and multifaceted industry challenges at the leading edge of AI, including scaling AI systems, orchestrating complex data at scale, and advancing state-of-the-art, real-time experiences.
Capital One’s Commitment to the Frontier of AI
This partnership builds on Capital One’s longstanding commitment to develop AI to solve real-world problems on behalf of its millions of customers and the broader financial services industry. The collaboration will advance research in areas critical to the future of finance while maintaining Capital One’s focus on well-managed and responsible AI development.
“We are delighted to continue to partner with UVA to accelerate state-of-the-art AI research and development in high-impact sectors of society like financial services,” noted Dr. Prem Natarajan, Executive Vice President, Chief Scientist and Head of Enterprise AI at Capital One, and Board Member, University of Virginia School of Data Science. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to drive innovations in data and AI technologies to deliver value to people in all spheres of their lives. Together, we will enable the next generation of AI leaders to gain exposure to real-world business problems and help create a nationally important talent pipeline for the AI-ready workforce of the future.”
The partnership deepens Capital One’s existing network of academic collaborations and reinforces the company’s commitment to staying at the forefront of AI applications that better serve customers and advance the financial services industry.
Building the Next Generation of AI Leaders
The Capital One Ph.D. Fellowship Awards will provide annual support to Ph.D. students in UVA Engineering who are conducting research at the frontier of AI. The program aims to inspire and develop the next generation of researchers that will advance the field of AI.
“As a proud alumnus and a longtime supporter of the University of Virginia, I know firsthand the power of the UVA education to prepare and equip students to become the leaders of tomorrow. Today, I’m excited for two world-class organizations to come together and help pave the way to thoughtfully shape the future of AI in academia, industry, and society more broadly,” added Todd Kennedy, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Payments, Capital One and Board Member, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science.
A History of Engineering — and AI — Excellence
UVA Engineering is building a brighter future through research and education, creating engineering leaders who are poised to tackle today’s biggest societal challenges and develop solutions that put people first. The school has been at the forefront of AI research and education for more than three decades, integrating artificial intelligence with systems theory, policy, and economics to solve problems in health care, transportation, finance, energy management, and more. UVA Engineering’s approach emphasizes AI automation, human-centered design, and data-driven decision-making to create intelligent infrastructure for the future.
About the Whitehead Road Engineering Academic Building
The Capital One AI Research Neighborhood will be housed within UVA Engineering’s transformative new Whitehead Road Engineering Academic Building, a state-of-the-art facility that represents a major expansion of the school’s research and educational capabilities. The building will feature four innovative research “neighborhoods” that bring together faculty and students from across the university to focus on research topics including Energy; Biomaterials and Health; Artificial Intelligence; and Environment and Sustainability. The building will also include maker spaces, classrooms, and other spaces that foster learning, collaboration, and networking.
The new building is a key part of UVA Engineering’s growing trajectory as a leader in engineering education and research. Student enrollment has grown steadily and research activity has skyrocketed since 2011, when the school’s last new building, Rice Hall, opened on Engineer’s Way. The Whitehead Building will create space for trans-disciplinary, high-impact research to tackle some of society’s biggest challenges. It will house more than 50 faculty researchers, creating opportunities for collaborative faculty and student research in modern, state-of-the-art labs.
