This week’s issue brings transformative philanthropy and bold innovation. The McMillons donate $10M to expand Arkansas’ innovation studio, while Peyton Manning commits $4M to support academics at Tennessee. On the innovation front, UCLA pairs AI with brain-computer interfaces to aid patients with paralysis, and Epic launches new AI assistants and foundation models to redefine clinical workflows.
McMillons Donate $10M to Expand Innovation Studio at University of Arkansas
Doug and Shelley McMillon have committed $10 million to the McMillon Innovation Studio at the University of Arkansas‘ Sam M. Walton College of Business. This substantial contribution will further expand the innovation studio, fostering creativity and entrepreneurship among students. The McMillons’ donation underscores their dedication to educational advancement and innovation. Read more here.
Peyton Manning Makes $4M Donation to University of Tennessee
Two endowments were named in honor of Manning’s academic mentors, who were longtime leaders at the University of Tennessee. His generous donation reflects his ongoing commitment to education and the university that played a pivotal role in his success. These funds will support academic initiatives and provide students with enhanced learning experiences. Read more here.
Woman Donates $250K to Develop Grief Support Program at Duke Brain Tumor Center
After the personal loss of both her parents, Rebecca Feinglos made a $250k donation to Duke University. Her generous contribution aims to support the development of a grief support program at the university’s brain tumor center. This initiative will help others manage their grief and find solace during challenging times. Read more here.
AI Co-Pilot Enhances Brain-Computer Interface for Patients with Paralysis
UCLA engineers have developed a wearable brain-computer interface (BCI) that pairs noninvasive EEG signals with an AI “co-pilot,” enabling users, including individuals with paralysis, to complete tasks faster and more precisely using a robotic arm or computer cursor. During testing, a participant with paralysis was able to complete a robotic arm task in just over six minutes with AI assistance. Read more here.
Stout Receives $3.1M Donation of Advanced Manufacturing Equipment
Alongside the return of students for the fall semester, the University of Wisconsin-Stout is welcoming a gift of new equipment to its campus. The $3.1 million donation comes from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation. This advanced manufacturing equipment will significantly enhance the university’s technical capabilities and educational offerings. Read more here.
Epic Debuts AI Assistants and Foundation Models to Redefine Clinical and Patient Workflows
Epic Systems unveiled a major expansion of its AI capabilities – introducing three intelligent assistants: Art for clinicians, Emmie for patients, and Penny for revenue cycle management. The company also revealed Cosmos AI and the CoMET foundation models, trained on billions of medical events that will power predictive analytics at unprecedented scale. Read more here.
