The University of Southern California announced on May 5 a major artificial intelligence initiative supported by a $200 million gift from Mark Stevens, an NVIDIA board member and USC Trustee, and his wife, Mary. The effort aims to accelerate innovation across fields such as health sciences, security, business, and the arts.
The university said this initiative will recruit leading AI researchers to advance knowledge in areas like therapeutics development, business transformation, and creative arts. In recognition of the Stevens’ donation, the USC School of Advanced Computing within the Viterbi School of Engineering will be renamed the USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
“As AI becomes ever more powerful, it creates enormous opportunities to improve lives and solve some of our greatest challenges, if used the right way,” said USC President Beong-Soo Kim. “Mark and Mary Stevens’ generosity will allow USC to leverage our existing interdisciplinary strengths and capitalize on these new opportunities at a critical inflection point for our society. As a top destination for AI talent, USC can accelerate our mission of educating future leaders, addressing real-world problems and enhancing human values and agency.”
Stevens said: “We know the next great universities will be those that invest in computing. This is a key moment. I am confident that USC has the leadership and direction to run quickly and stake our position as the trailblazer.”
USC currently ranks among the top five in federal research support related to computer science fields. The university offers over 30 programs connected with artificial intelligence or computing at both undergraduate and graduate levels; this fall it introduces a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence program. According to its official website, USC features its Trojans athletic teams in Pac-12 Conference competitions; supports public service initiatives; hosts its main campus south of downtown Los Angeles; provides more than 400 academic programs; attracts students from all 50 states as well as over 100 countries; and is known for offering academic programs across various schools.
The newly named school serves as an interdisciplinary hub for research into artificial intelligence at USC. Gaurav Sukhatme, inaugural director of the Stevens School, said: “Mark and Mary’s generosity will have incalculable impact…has positioned USC to be a national and global leader for decades to come.”
USC faculty are using AI tools not only in medicine but also military training simulations through partnerships like those with the U.S Army’s Institute for Creative Technologies. Additional efforts include new degrees such as Artificial Intelligence for Business as well as centers focused on ethics or social good applications.
Yannis Yortsos, dean of Viterbi School of Engineering at USC added: “Mark and Mary have always understood the myriad opportunities that exist at the intersection of technology and domain expertise…Their generosity at this pivotal time…will lead to breakthroughs, innovation and thought leadership here on the USC campus and around the world.”
