USC Receives $200 Million Gift for AI Research

Venture capitalist Mark Stevens and his wife Mary donated $200 million to the University of Southern California (USC) ^[1]. The gift establishes the Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence ^[1][2]. This donation aims to position the university as a national leader in artificial intelligence scholarship and research ^[1].

The new school will integrate artificial intelligence across several disciplines, including health sciences, business, and the arts ^[1]. University officials state this initiative will transform how students and faculty interact with technology ^[2]. The funding supports faculty recruitment and expanded infrastructure for advanced computing projects ^[1].

Mark Stevens, a longtime USC trustee, previously supported the university’s bioscience initiatives ^[2]. This latest contribution represents one of the largest gifts in the history of the institution ^[1][2]. The school intends to focus on ethical development and real-world applications within Los Angeles and global markets ^[2].