Tech Mahindra Expands North Texas Presence With UT Dallas AI Partnership and Makers Lab

Tech Mahindra is expanding its North Texas footprint through a new partnership with UT Dallas that will advance applied AI research and create new student talent pathways. The Pune, India-based global tech company opened its Americas headquarters in Plano earlier this year. Now it will launch its first U.S. Makers Lab at its Plano facility to support the region’s growing AI and telecom innovation ecosystem.

Dr. Stephanie G. Adams

UT Dallas and Tech Mahindra have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on AI innovation, workforce development, and research tied to enterprise needs. The company’s new Makers Lab will connect undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students with tools and platforms spanning AI, data science, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and cognitive networks.

“We’re excited to launch this new collaboration between Tech Mahindra and the [Erik] 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,” Dr. Stephanie G. Adams, the Lars Magnus Ericsson Chair and dean of the Jonsson School, said in a statement.

Hands-on experience with enterprise AI

In the first phase of the collaboration, students will take part in three- to six-month internships focused on applied AI projects and proofs of concept. They will work with Tech Mahindra’s tools and data while being mentored by industry experts.

Tech Mahindra will provide real-world problem statements for academic teams, and the partners plan to co-develop AI frameworks, tools, and intellectual property with commercialization potential.

Early research will center on telecom applications, including autonomous network management, predictive maintenance, intelligent customer support, fraud and anomaly detection, automated service provisioning, and personalized customer-experience systems. The collaboration is expected to expand into other industries as new opportunities emerge.

Supporting regional AI talent and growth

The initiative also includes seminars, hackathons, and ethical AI development efforts aimed at building North Texas’ AI skills pipeline. Tech Mahindra said the partnership reflects its commitment to local job creation and community investment as it grows its presence in the region.

“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,” said Manish Mangal, president of the Americas communications business at Tech Mahindra.

“Our partnership with The University of Texas at Dallas demonstrates our unwavering commitment to fostering innovative ecosystems that unite academia and industry,” Mangal added. “Together, our joint initiatives will enable American enterprises to lead the way in the new era of intelligent technologies.”