An “algorithmic equity” program, for which regents of the University of North Texas System recently approved a faculty development leave, could lay a foundation for so-called ‘woke AI.’ Noureen Khan, UNT-Dallas professor who describes herself as an “equity strategist,” is leading this project.
According to a September 2025 email obtained via open records request, Khan told Mario Casa de Calvo, dean of the UNT College of Liberal Arts, that her “aim” for the project was “to transform mathematics from a gatekeeping mechanism into an inclusive, data-driven engine for social mobility and educational justice.”
Khan’s development leave request further elaborates that her intent is to integrate “artificial intelligence with equity-driven practices.”
The leave request further states that the project’s objective is to explore “how artificial intelligence can support equity in developmental mathematics.”
On October 3, Casa de Calvo wrote to interim Provost Christopher Markwood in support of Khan’s leave application.
Khan’s “proposal reflects an effort to connect research on pedagogy, equity, and artificial intelligence in ways that may benefit our students and faculty,” wrote Casa de Calvo.
“The project aims to integrate AI with equity-driven practices through the development of an Algorithmic Equity Framework,” Casa de Calvo continues. Khan’s proposal “is aligned with our institutional priorities.”
Finally, Casa de Calvo favorably cites Khan’s “prior experience with external funding.” Khan has previously worked in Qatar under a U.S. Fulbright grant hosted by Qatar University.
In an October 5 follow-up to Markwood, Casa de Calvo states that Kahn’s proposal “aligns with institutional priorities in equity-driven pedagogy.”
While state lawmakers prohibited aspects of DEI ideology in 2023, that prohibition does not extend to this sort of research.
UNT System regents granted final approval to Khan’s leave request as part of the consent agenda for their February meeting. Consent agendas are intended to enable governmental bodies to quickly move through unobjectionable items but are sometimes abused to hide controversial measures.
UNT System chancellor Michael Williams, Deputy Chancellor Gregory Anderson, and UNT Dallas president Dr. Warren J. von Eschenbach all recommended approval to the board.
Regent approval of Khan’s leave comes as concerns regarding “woke AI” have risen in profile. Author James Lindsay has warned that the integration of DEI ideology into technology algorithms could lead to Chinese-style social credit systems.
While it does not apply to Khan’s endeavor, President Trump issued an executive order last July titled “Preventing Woke AI in the Federal Government.”
UNT-Dallas is a component of the University of North Texas System. The UNT system is overseen by a Board of Regents appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Carlos Munguia of University Park is the current board chairman.
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