USC uses $200 million donation to expand AI across the university
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 5
USC uses $200 million donation to expand AI across the university
11 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 5
The Los Angeles school said venture capitalist funding will help hire faculty and add computing power, with planned applications in healthcare, cybersecurity and the arts.
President Beong-Soo Kim said USC aims to spread AI beyond engineering, focusing on practical uses that strengthen teaching and research rather than competing with private-sector computing resources.
The move comes as US universities debate how to build AI into courses and research while assessing how the fast-evolving technology could reshape demand for higher education.
How will USC's $200M AI plan protect critical thinking from being overshadowed by technology?
As universities race to adopt AI, is this a true educational evolution or a high-stakes branding play?
Beyond engineering, what does an AI-infused arts education at USC actually look like for students?
How USC’s $200 Million AI Donation is Reshaping Education, Research, and Ethics for the Future
Overview
In April 2026, Larry Ellison donated $200 million to USC to accelerate the university's strategic vision of integrating artificial intelligence across all academic disciplines. Building on prior partnerships and a strong institutional focus on AI, this funding supports interdisciplinary faculty recruitment, ethical AI research through the USC Institute on Ethics and Trust in Computing, and practical applications in healthcare, cybersecurity, and the arts. The donation also enhances infrastructure and curriculum development, including innovative tools like ABE to foster critical thinking. USC’s collaboration with industry leaders ensures ethical AI deployment, positioning the university to set national standards for responsible AI innovation and education.