Indian-origin technology leader Sanjay Srivastava and his wife, Charlene, have contributed $1 million to the University of California San Diego to advance research exploring the role of artificial intelligence in education.
Announced on October 29, the donation will support research at UC San Diego’s Halıcıoğlu School of Data Science and Computing. The initiative will concentrate on agentic AI, an emerging form of artificial intelligence capable of independently handling complex tasks and adjusting its actions as new information becomes available.
Researchers will investigate how this technology could transform teaching and learning by making educational experiences more effective, accessible, and tailored to individual needs. The work will explore potential applications for UC San Diego students while also examining solutions that could eventually benefit learners and working professionals beyond the university.
The institution has recognized the couple’s generosity by naming a multipurpose room at the Halıcıoğlu School the Sanjay and Charlene Srivastava Multi-Purpose Room.
Srivastava said the contribution reflects the importance of collaboration among universities, businesses, and policymakers in translating technological advancements into practical applications. He expressed hope that the research would help develop new approaches to learning that serve students, educators, and professionals, with the potential to reach communities well beyond the university.
Rajesh Gupta, dean of the Halıcıoğlu School, welcomed the contribution, noting that it will strengthen the institution’s ambition to become a center for AI innovation. He also highlighted its role in supporting wider access to the school’s academic programs.
The donation is expected to help UC San Diego explore how emerging AI capabilities can contribute to the future of education.
