Kenneth Hao and Kathy Chiao pledge $175 million to UC system
The philanthropic gift aims to modernise medical infrastructure and expand clinical capacity through artificial intelligence and advanced technology.
Private equity leader Kenneth Hao and his wife Kathy Chiao have pledged at least $175 million to the University of California (UC) system to modernise medical infrastructure, according to The Times of India.
The commitment, finalised during the first half of the year, targets the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation technology across human healthcare and veterinary medicine.
The funding is split between two Northern California institutions, with $100 million directed to UC San Francisco (UCSF) and $75 million to UC Davis.
At UCSF, $50 million will be used for physical modernisation of the health campus, including a new hospital building at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. An additional $40 million is designated for advanced technological systems and research programs, while $10 million will support the Weill Cancer Hub West.
The $75 million for UC Davis will be used to expand veterinary care facilities by 50 per cent, fund veterinary student scholarships, support translational medicine research, and assist pet owners with community programmes.
Hao, who is the chairman and managing partner of Silver Lake, said there is a huge need for hospital modernisation because breakthrough science requires state-of-the-art physical facilities to house complex hardware.