As part of For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester, Siddhartha “Sid” Dalal ’71 (MA), ’73S (MBA), ’76 (PhD) and his children—Nemil Dalal and Preeyel Dalal ’06—have committed more than $1 million to establish the Dalal Family Postdoctoral Fellowship in AI Ethics at the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The new fellowship will advance research and teaching focused on responsible design, development, deployment, governance, and societal implications of AI systems.
“AI has been a great boon, yet it also presents significant challenges—many of them ethical,” says Sid Dalal, a Columbia University professor and a distinguished technologist, academic, and leader in data science, risk analysis, and applied AI. “We made this gift to address AI’s opportunities and challenges now—to consider its ethical dimensions and impact on society, the environment, the battlefield, and beyond.”
He adds that the urgency of this work has never been clearer. “With AI evolving at a rapid pace, we must establish guardrails,” he says. “Without them, we may face the technology’s unintended consequences too late to address them effectively.”
The gift recognizes the threats inherent in AI, including biased data, gaps in reasoning, technology dependence, and overreliance on automated systems—all of which require human judgment, critical thinking, and sustained inquiry to address.
Dan Kaplan ’06, Preeyel Dalal, Sid Dalal, Nemil Dalal, Lorraine Dalal, and Shaw Dalal Kaplan
“We are grateful to the Dalal family for their vision and generosity,” says Wendi Heinzelman, the John and Barbara Bruning Dean for the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences. “By investing in scholars who are thinking deeply about both the potential and the risks of artificial intelligence, we are helping to ensure that innovation in AI is guided by insight, responsibility, and a commitment to the public good—all of which Sid and his family care about deeply.”
The Dalal Family Fellowship supports applied research on AI and its societal impact, informing policy and addressing real-world ethical challenges across human life. Future Dalal Family Fellows will receive a stipend, mentorship, teaching opportunities, and support for interdisciplinary collaboration for one to two years.
“This fellowship addresses a vital need, and we thank Sid and his family for the foresight to create it,” says Mujdat Cetin, the Robin and Tim Wentworth Director of the Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. “It will create new opportunities for postdocs and help them stay on the leading edge of AI research, while empowering us to drive transformative research breakthroughs in the human-centered development and application of AI.”
Unlike professorships, which support established faculty, fellowships bring scholars to campus on a rotating basis, each contributing distinct perspectives. They also help reduce financial barriers to postdoctoral study.
Sid Dalal views this fellowship as a vital response to the ethical dimensions required in an AI-driven world. “There is a risk that people may think they can rely solely on AI—that it provides all the answers. But that perspective ignores the technology’s fallibility and the essential need for human ethical oversight.”
He envisions the fellowship as a catalyst for responsible innovation. “A fellow might spark an ethical breakthrough or inspire others to find one. That domino effect is what I am betting on. We may not see the full results in two or five years, but in ten years, I hope we can say we made real progress toward a major societal impact.”
Sid Dalal’s own path reflects the transformative power of education—and the values that have informed his life and career. He arrived in the United States at age 20 with just $8 in his pocket. At URochester, he earned a master’s and a PhD in statistics and an MBA from Simon Business School. Along the way, he found mentors and academic opportunities that helped define his path.
“The University contributed a great deal to my life,” he says. “When I was a student here, people supported me in ways I didn’t expect—sending me to conferences, encouraging my research, and helping me grow.”
Over time, Sid Dalal built an accomplished career. His work has increasingly focused on the ethical dimensions of technology—an interest that sits at the center of this fellowship.
“This is my alma mater, and it’s been a true catalyst in my growth,” he adds. “My daughter, Preeyel, and her husband, Dan, met here. In thinking about where I could make a meaningful difference—and after talking with my family—it became clear that we, along with the University, are excited and concerned about many of the same ethical aspects of AI. I’m confident that the holders of this fellowship will make lasting, positive contributions to the world and to themselves.”
About Siddhartha Dalal
Siddhartha Dalal joined Columbia University in 2017 as a professor across the School of Professional Studies, statistics department, and the Data Science Institute, following a distinguished career in senior scientific leadership. A pioneer in the field of combinatorial design testing, a research area he founded that is now vital for testing critical hardware and software systems, Dalal has authored over 125 peer-reviewed publications and patents. His career bridges elite industry roles—including chief data scientist at AIG, chief technology officer at RAND, and vice president of research at Xerox—with foundational contributions as a fellow and chief scientist at Bell Labs/Bellcore.
Recognized globally for his pivotal risk analysis of the Challenger space shuttle disaster, Sid Dalal’s public service includes an appointment by the secretary of defense to the Army Science Board and the conferral of the U.S. Army’s Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. A Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA), he has earned prestigious honors from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the ASA, and the American Society for Quality for his contributions to risk analysis, AI, and statistics.
Sid Dalal’s connection to the University spans three advanced degrees and decades of engagement. In 2004, he delivered the doctoral commencement address and received URochester’s Distinguished Scholar Award for excellence in research. In 2017, he established the Dalal Family Endowed Scholarship in memory of his wife, Alka Dalal, to support deserving undergraduates pursuing STEM degrees.
Philanthropy and engagement are critical to the future success of the University. Learn how you can support For Ever Better: The Campaign for the University of Rochester. To make a difference, contact Derek Swanson, Executive Director of Advancement for the Hajim School.
