Colby College has announced a $30 million gift from alumnus Andrew Davis ('85) and his family to create an institute focused on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Awarded through the Shelby Cullom Davis Charitable Fund, of which Davis is a trustee, the gift will establish the Davis Institute for Artificial Intelligence and support efforts to prepare students and faculty to create and apply AI and machine learning across a range of applications while establishing a precedent for how liberal arts colleges are engaged in shaping the future of AI. Scheduled to open in the fall, the first cross-disciplinary AI institute at a U.S. liberal arts college will also support the hiring of six faculty experts in disciplines ranging from computer science and genomics to sociology and English literature.

Longtime supporters of Colby College, the Davis family gave $25 million in 2017 to create DavisConnects, Colby's innovative model for postgraduate success, and a $10 million lead gift in 2013 for construction of the Davis Science Center.

"Addressing the complex questions surrounding AI requires a holistic analysis and response that can only come from a broad liberal arts perspective," said Davis. "With its distinctive tradition of interdisciplinary scholarship, exceptional expertise in the sciences, and strong focus on engaging with the world, Colby is uniquely positioned to take a leadership role in preparing students for this incredibly important work, and we're very pleased to support this important initiative."

(Photo credit: Colby College)