Mark Stevens, an early investor in Nvidia, and his wife, Mary, have pledged $200 million to the University of Southern California (USC) to accelerate artificial intelligence research and education. This substantial donation aims to position USC as a leading institution in AI by funding a university-wide effort to attract top AI experts across various disciplines.
The gift will primarily support recruitment initiatives, reflecting USC’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration in AI fields. In recognition of the donation, USC will rename its recently opened advanced computing school the USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence. The school, inaugurated in 2024, focuses on cutting-edge computing and AI studies.
Stevens, a USC alumnus with degrees in electrical engineering, economics, and computer engineering, has built a significant fortune through his early stake in Nvidia and investments during his tenure at Sequoia Capital. His involvement in pioneering tech ventures has included early-stage investments in companies like Google and YouTube. Today, he manages his investments via his family office, S-Cubed Capital, and holds a position on Nvidia’s board.
USC already offers over 30 programs related to AI and computing and plans to launch a Bachelor of Science degree in AI this fall. The university asserts that this initiative comes at a pivotal moment for both society and higher education, highlighting AI’s growing role in addressing real-world challenges and shaping future leaders. USC is recognized as a key contributor to the Silicon Valley talent pool, ranking second among the most common alma maters in the region.
This donation is part of a broader surge in philanthropic support for AI-focused education across the United States. Recent large-scale gifts include a $750 million donation to the University of Texas at Austin for an AI-driven hospital, a $100 million commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s new computing and AI college, and a $50 million donation to the University of Chicago for AI scholar recruitment. Additionally, the founder of Bloomberg committed $30 million to form a center for AI responsibility and research at Binghamton University.
With Stevens’s contribution, USC is reinforcing its status as a central hub in AI research and education, seeking to attract diverse talent and intensify its interdisciplinary approach to technological innovation and societal impact.