USC Invests $1 Billion in New Computing School to Teach Ethical AI Use

Samson Amore

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USC Invests $1 Billion in New Computing School to Teach Ethical AI Use
Evan Xie

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The University of Southern California is keen to begin teaching more students how to responsibly handle artificial intelligence and machine learning, and it just invested $1 billion to expand its curriculum to provide more courses to students both majoring in computer science and interested in learning the basics.


Spearheaded by USC President Carol Folt, the “Frontiers of Computing” initiative and new funding builds on a previous $260 million gift from the Lord Foundation of California that the university received in 2019.

“We like to revolutionize all our curricula, both in engineering as well as outside of engineering, to make sure that our students as they graduate are in full command of all these technologies,” said Yannis Yortsos, dean of USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering.

The specific problems USC’s new school of computing seeks to address are further developing AI and machine learning software, expanding quantum computing capabilities and improving the efficiency and scalability of hardware that underpins this tech.

Part of the funding will add a new School of Advanced Computing to USC’s campus, which will teach students about artificial intelligence, blockchain, data science, machine learning and quantum computing. The new school will also be a hub for research and development in these areas, as well as discussion about how to use these tools ethically.

“Computer science, data sciences and AI have become essentially an extension of the original fundamentals,” Yortsos told dot.LA. “We would like to teach these fundamentals the same way that we teach mathematics. We also like to emphasize the fact that we like our students to understand the ethical consequences of technology, and we want to make sure that our students understand that it's not about technical corporate competence only. It's also the development of trustworthiness.”

The 116,000-square-foot building won’t open until 2024 and is still under construction. When it’s done the entire computer science department will be housed at the new hall.

The new curriculum will benefit “not only engineering students but at the same time students from business or from other [majors] as well, so that's unique about this particular initiative,” Yortsos said.

The new funding will also bolster USC’s footprint in the local economy. Its Viterbi School of Engineering Information Sciences Institute campus is based in Marina del Rey, while the school’s Institute for Creative Technologies – which focuses on mixed reality, body computing and medical virtual reality, among other disciplines – is based in Playa del Rey.

“We will invest a lot in the development of the technology ecosystem on the west side, where we have two major institutions,” Yortsos added.

In 2021, the National Science Foundation reported that over 42% of all higher education degrees statewide are in the fields of science and engineering. Overall, the federal grant administrator pumped over $193.4 million into the state’s STEM education programs in 2022.

USC was the sixth-highest university recipient of NSF funds in California last year after UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, UC Irvine and UC Davis. The private university received 84 grants from the NSF out of more than 260 proposals from the university (to get most grants, colleges have to apply).

This is all to say that USC’s investment reflects a growing, widespread focus on investing more in public and private universities that teach computer science skills to a new generation of workers. In total, USC said it expects to award 1,733 computer science degrees to both undergraduates and graduate students this year, up from 1,400 two years ago.

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LA’s Upgrade in Travel and NBA Viewing
Image Source: Los Angeles World Airports

🔦 Spotlight

Exciting developments are underway for Los Angeles as the city prepares for major upgrades in both travel and entertainment. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved an additional $400 million for the Automated People Mover (APM) at LAX, increasing its total budget to $3.34 billion. This boost ensures the elevated train’s completion by December 8, 2025, with service starting in January 2026. For Angelenos, this means a significant improvement in travel convenience. The APM will streamline connections between parking, rental car facilities, and the new Metro transit station, drastically cutting traffic congestion around the airport. Imagine a future without the dreaded 30-minute traffic delays at LAX! The APM will operate 24/7, reducing airport traffic by 42 million vehicle miles annually and carrying 30 million passengers each year, while also creating thousands of local jobs and supporting small businesses.

Meanwhile, the NBA is also making waves with its new broadcasting deals. The league has signed multi-year agreements with ESPN, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video, marking a notable shift in media partnerships. ESPN will maintain its long-standing role, NBC returns as a network broadcaster after years away, and Amazon Prime Video will provide NBA games through its streaming platform. Starting with the 2025-2026 season, these deals will enhance the league's reach and revenue, aligning with the NBA's goal to expand its audience and adapt to evolving viewing habits. Whether you're catching the action on TV or streaming online, these changes promise to elevate the fan experience and bring more basketball excitement to Los Angeles.


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LA Companies

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  • Mantis VC and Amplify participated in a $140M Series C for Chainguard, an open source security startup. - learn more
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LA Exits


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🤫 The Secret to Staying Fit at Your Desk: 6 Essential Under-Desk Exercise Machines

Health experts are sounding the alarm: our sedentary jobs are slowly killing us, yet we can't abandon our desks if we want to keep the lights on. It feels like we're caught between a rock and a hard place. Enter under-desk exercise machines – the overlooked heroes (albeit kind of goofy looking) of the modern workspace. These devices let tech professionals stay active, enhance their health, and increase their productivity, all without stepping away from their screens. Here are 6 fantastic options that will enhance the way you work and workout simultaneously.

DeskCycle Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser

This bike has nearly ten thousand five-star reviews on amazon. It works with nearly any desk/chair setup. It is quiet, sturdy and allows up to 40 pounds of resistance. If you are looking for an under-desk bike this is a fantastic option.

Type: Under-Desk Bike

Price: $180 - $200


Sunny Health & Fitness Dual Function Under Desk Pedal Exerciser

This under-desk bike is extremely quiet due to the magnetic resistance making it an ideal option if you work in a shared space. It doesn’t slip, has eight levels of resistance, and the option to work legs and arms. It’s about half the price of the DeskCycle bike making it a solid mid-range option for those looking to increase their daily activity.

Type: Under-Desk Bike

Price: $100 - $110


Sunny Health & Fitness Sitting Under Desk Elliptical

This under-desk elliptical comes in multiple colors if you really want to underscore that you are a quirky individual, in case an under-desk elliptical isn’t enough. This model is a bit heavy (very sturdy), has eight different resistance levels, and has more than nine thousand 5-star reviews.

Type: Under-Desk Elliptical

Price: $120 - $230


DeskCycle Ellipse Leg Exerciser

This under-desk elliptical is another great option. It is a bit pricey but it’s quiet, well-made and has eight resistance levels. It also syncs with your apple watch or fitbit which is a very large perk for those office-wide “step” challenges. Get ready to win.

Type: Under-Desk Elliptical

Price: $220 - $230


Daeyegim Quiet LED Remote Treadmill

If you have a standing desk and are looking to walk and work this is a fantastic option. This walking-only treadmill allows you to walk between 0.5 to 5 mph (or jog unless you have the stride length of an NBA forward). It is very quiet, which is perfect if you want to use it near others or during a meeting. You can’t change the incline or fold it in half but it is great for simply getting in some extra steps during the work day.

Type: Under-Desk Treadmill

Price: $220 - $230


Sunny Health & Fitness Foldable Manual Treadmill

This under-desk treadmill isn’t the most premium model but it is affordable and has an impressive array of features. It is a manual treadmill meaning it doesn’t need to be plugged in; it is foldable and offers an incline up to 13%. I personally can’t imagine working and walking up a 13% incline but if that sounds like your cup of tea, then I truly respect the hustle.

Type: Under-Desk Treadmill

Price: $150 - $200




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🤠Musk Picks Texas and 🔥Tinder AI Picks Your Profile Pictures

🔦 Spotlight

Tinder is altering dating profile creation with its new AI-powered Photo Selector feature, designed to help users choose their most appealing dating profile pictures. This innovative tool employs facial recognition technology to curate a set of up to 10 photos from the user's device, streamlining the often time-consuming process of profile setup. To use the feature, users simply take a selfie within the Tinder app and grant access to their camera roll. The AI then analyzes the photos based on factors like lighting and composition, drawing from Tinder's research on what makes an effective profile picture.

The selection process occurs entirely on the user's device, ensuring privacy and data security. Tinder doesn't collect or store any biometric data or photos beyond those chosen for the profile, and the facial recognition data is deleted once the user exits the feature. This new tool addresses a common pain point for users, as Tinder's research shows that young singles typically spend about 25 to 33 minutes selecting a profile picture. By automating this process, Tinder aims to reduce profile creation time and allow users to focus more on making meaningful connections.

In wholly unrelated news, Elon Musk has announced plans to relocate the headquarters of X (formerly Twitter) and SpaceX from California to Texas. SpaceX will move from Hawthorne to Starbase, while X will shift from San Francisco to Austin. Musk cited concerns about aggressive drug users near X's current headquarters and a new California law regarding gender identity notification in schools as reasons for the move. This decision follows Musk's previous relocation of Tesla's headquarters to Texas in 2021.

🤝 Venture Deals

LA Companies

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