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4d ago

Mark Stevens Donates $200 Million to USC for AI Initiative

May 7, 2026
AI Summary

Mark Stevens, a billionaire venture capitalist and Nvidia board member, has pledged $200 million to the University of Southern California to establish a universitywide AI initiative. This donation is one of the largest in USC's history and aims to enhance research and education in artificial intelligence across various fields.

Mark Stevens Donates $200 Million to USC for AI Initiative
  • Mark Stevens and his wife, Mary, are donating $200 million to USC to launch an AI initiative.
  • The donation will rename USC's School of Advanced Computing to the USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
  • The funds will be used to recruit AI researchers and support projects in health sciences, security, business, and the arts.
  • Stevens, a USC alumnus, has a net worth of $12.5 billion and has been involved in significant investments in companies like Nvidia, Google, and YouTube.
  • He signed the Giving Pledge in 2013, committing to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes.
  • The new funding will expand existing research efforts, including neuroimaging and military training simulations using AI.
  • Stevens warns that universities risk falling behind in AI research if they do not invest in the technology.
  • Other billionaires have also made significant donations to universities for AI-related initiatives recently.
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