Tech Mahindra has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The University of Texas at Dallas, a leading institution in Computer Science, AI and Cyber security for AI-led innovation, skill development, and research. Tech Mahindra will also launch its first Makers Lab in the US at Dallas, focusing on pushing the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Science, Generative AI (GenAI), Agentic AI, Quantum Computing, Cybersecurity, and Cognitive Network Innovation. The new lab will engage talented undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, as well as faculty researchers from leading universities.
As part of the collaboration, Tech Mahindra will provide practical AI use cases, data, and problem statements for academic exploration. Tech Mahindra and UT Dallas will also co-develop intellectual property, AI frameworks, and tools for commercialization. UT Dallas will contribute through foundational and applied AI research, domain expertise, faculty mentorship, and access to research infrastructure. The initial projects will focus on telecom-specific AI solutions, including autonomous network management, predictive maintenance, intelligent customer support, fraud & anomaly detection, automated service provisioning, and personalized customer experience systems. The collaboration will also explore ways to embed AI within the software development lifecycle (SDLC). While telecom will be the initial focus, the collaboration is designed to expand into other industries based on mutual interest and emerging business needs.
Manish Mangal, President & Head – Americas Communication Business, Tech Mahindra, said: “As Generative AI continues to transform industries worldwide, the greatest opportunity and challenge lie in translating cutting-edge academic research into practical, ethical, and impactful solutions for enterprise. Our partnership with the University of Texas at Dallas demonstrates our unwavering commitment to fostering innovative ecosystems that unite academia and industry. Together, our joint initiatives will enable American enterprises to lead the way in the new era of intelligent technologies.”
The first phase of the collaboration will also see UT Dallas interns engaged for a 3-6-month period, working on real-world research projects and proofs of concept. Students will gain access to Tech Mahindra’s AI tools, platforms, and Makers Lab facilities, while receiving mentorship from industry experts. The research themes of the collaboration include AI skill development and capacity building, knowledge sharing through seminars and hackathons, ethical and inclusive AI design, and applied R&D utilizing GenAI and Agentic AI for real-world use cases.
Dr. Stephanie Adams, Dean & Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair of the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering & Computer Science, said, “We are excited to launch this new collaboration between Tech Mahindra and the Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science, as we continue to bridge academic research with industry needs and expand our students’ opportunities for internships and student projects.”
Beyond research excellence, the initiative reflects Tech Mahindra’s commitment to local job creation, talent development, and community enrichment. Through hands-on projects, mentorship, and direct exposure to enterprise innovation challenges, students and early-career professionals will gain access to advanced research environments, accelerating their professional growth while contributing tangible outcomes to local industry and digital transformation efforts.
