Quoted: Nathanael Fast in L.A. Times
Fast discusses the implications of OpenAI’s shift to restructure as a for-profit company.
BS Artificial Intelligence for Business (BUAI)
BS Artificial Intelligence for Business
The USC Marshall School of Business has recently launched a new joint undergraduate degree, Artificial Intelligence for Business, in partnership with the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The innovative degree brings together the expertise of two of the top business and engineering schools in the country to provide a unique learning experience for students who are interested in leveraging the best of machine learning and artificial intelligence for business applications.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
The joint AI for Business degree is a four-year, 128-unit program in which students take courses at both Marshall and Viterbi, and their diplomas will reflect the names of both schools upon graduation. Students will take both core business courses at Marshall and AI-focused classes at Viterbi with additional new integrative courses.
Viterbi coursework will cover machine learning, human interactions, robotics, and programming. As part of the degree requirements students will also study ethics.
All students will complete the Business core fundamentals covering accounting, economics, finance, marketing, leadership and organizational behavior, operations management, strategy, and communications.
AI for Business integrative classes will provide a larger context for making business decisions in the AI age. These four courses, created within Marshall specifically for the joint degree, include a semester-long program for first-year students, as well as classes in digital transformation, AI and smart contracts, technology strategy, and a program that will offer students real-life experiences in the AI sector.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
“The new AI for Business degree is designed to mold leaders who [will be] impact-driven professionals… exposed to a unique blend of business, technical, ethics and leadership courses and who will be able to pose the right questions as well as generate the right answers. We will be one of only a handful of universities around the globe where students have the opportunity to develop their technical, business and leadership skills to pursue careers in one of the fastest-growing parts of the tech sector.”
— Kimon Drakopoulos, BUAI Academic Director, Robert R. Dockson Assistant Professor in Business Administration, and Assistant Professor of Data Sciences and Operations
“This is a pioneering and forward-looking interdisciplinary program, to our knowledge, it is the first in the world of its kind at this important intersection of AI and Business. With this program, we will empower business and organizational leaders to understand the possibilities, as well as the limitations, of AI technologies and to help them better understand the people they serve, predict trends, and improve decision-making processes.”
— Yolanda Gil, BUAI Academic Co-Director, USC Viterbi Director of New Initiatives in AI and Data Science, and Research Professor in Computer Science
“We know there is a tremendous need in the marketplace and throughout society for students who are trained in business, but also understand how AI works, what machine learning means, and are willing to take on the ethical implications of these technologies.”
— Ramandeep Randhawa, Vice Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Professor of Data Sciences and Operations
ACADEMIC OVERVIEW
During Freshman and Sophomore years, students will build their fundamental skills on both Computer Science and Business by taking a handpicked set of classes on Programming, Economics, Accounting and Finance as well as introductory courses on Data Science and Machine Learning.
During junior and senior years, students will bring together their knowledge with integrative and project based courses and also dive deeper into more specialized AI courses such as Human-Computer Interaction, Robotics, and Ethics.
- Students will have expertise in leveraging AI within organizations with a goal of enhancing societal value, understanding the ethical issues and risks in AI technologies.
- Students will be able to conceptualize new products and services that leverage AI, with a sophisticated understanding of the state-of-the-art capabilities and practical limitations of what AI technologies can realistically achieve in a business context.
- Students will be capable of forming effective teams with the expertise required to implement and scale AI technology solutions and formulating realistic timelines for AI products.
- Students will have expertise in analytics-driven decision making and strategy, able to discern the value of data assets in an organization and the effort required to realize the full potential of analytics in a business context.
Students will understand and situate advanced AI technologies, make realistic assumptions about potential and risks for business ventures, and envision new markets through AI innovation.
APPLYING TO USC MARSHALL
DATES + DEADLINES
See all undergraduate application dates and deadlines HERE.
FIRST-YEAR INFO SESSIONS
Virtual Information Sessions designed for high school juniors / seniors / families for a comprehensive overview of Marshall are on Wednesdays at 11:00A and 3:00P PT.
CAMPUS TOURS
Learn about USC On-Campus Tours HERE. Student-Led, Self-Guided, and Virtual Tours are all available.
INFORMATION FOR ADMITTED STUDENTS
Register for an online session through the USC PORTAL. If you have any questions about attending an event, you can always reach out to the Undergraduate Admission office directly: EMAIL
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Board of Advisors
Yael Garten is a technology business leader with 20 years of experience in data science, machine learning, consumer product strategy, product quality evaluation and measurement, and biomedical informatics.
Ryan Roslansky is the CEO of LinkedIn, the world’s largest and most powerful network of professionals. Ryan joined the company in May 2009 and has since held leadership roles in every part of LinkedIn’s business.
Navrina Singh is the Founder and CEO of Credo AI, an AI governance platform that empowers organizations to deliver and embed artificial intelligence responsibly by proactively measuring, monitoring, and managing AI risks.
Kerry Weinberg is the co-founder and CEO of PhenoML, their software toolkit helps healthcare companies build differentiated apps for their patients, providers, and employees in days not months. Prior to founding, she was the VP of Data at League, a late-stage digital health startup, where she built data capabilities powering healthcare apps used by millions.
Lareina Yee writes and speaks on technology and diversity. In her role as chair of the McKinsey Technology Council, she recently published the firm’s annual “Technology Trends Outlook”, “The Economic Potential of Generative AI” and “The CEO’s Guide to Generative AI” each of which examine long-term technology shifts and their implications for different industries.
STUDENTS
Freshman
Freshman
Sophomore
Sophomore
SIGNATURE EVENTS
Kickstart your university journey with the BUAI Fall Freshmen Retreat! This exciting retreat is designed to help incoming freshmen transition into campus life, make new friends, and build a strong community with fellow BUAI students. Engage in team-building activities, attend workshops and mini seminars, connect with faculty, staff, and upperclassmen, and most importantly have fun! This retreat will set you up for a successful and memorable start at USC!
The Fall Welcome Event is designed for students to start the year with excitement and a sense of community within BUAI. Each year, BUAI students get a chance to meet the incoming cohort and reconnect with each other, enjoy good food, and receive swag!
The Spring Welcome Event occurs at the beginning of spring semester to allow students to reconnect, re-energize, and start the semester strong.
As part of BUAI’s real-world consulting project, upperclassmen will spend a day visiting an assigned company, gaining hands-on experience and valuable insights. During the visit, they’ll have the opportunity to explore the company's operations, ask questions, and learn directly from the professionals, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the corporation that will enhance their project work.
Throughout the year, BUAI students can participate in events planned by fellow students. Some examples include beach days, dinner reservations, escape rooms, and a Disneyland trip!
INSIGHTS + ANALYSIS
Quoted: Nathanael Fast in L.A. Times
Fast discusses the implications of OpenAI’s shift to restructure as a for-profit company.
Quoted: Kimon Drakopoulos in Good Men Project
Though AI adoption has surged to 65% according to a McKinsey's 2024 global survey, cultural shifts and tough questions remain key barriers, says Drakopoulos.
Quoted: Kimon Drakopoulos in The News Tribune
Drakopoulous, associate professor of data sciences and operations, discusses how companies need to consider AI ethics while understanding their own goals to avoid AI "hallucinations".
OpEd: Stephanie Tully in The Conversation
TULLY, associate professor of marketing, writes for The Conversation about her new research finding those with lower average AI literacy are receptive open to using AI.
Cited: Florenta Teodoridis in The Regulatory Review
The Regulatory Review cites research by TEODORIDIS, Jorge Paulo and Susanna Lemann Chair in Entrepreneurship, proposing what factors to consider as to if, when, and what type of AI regulation would be appropriate.
STAY CONNECTED
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
CHARLIE HANNIGAN
Academic Director, Artificial Intelligence for Business Program
Assistant Professor of Clinical Data Sciences and Operations
EMAIL
CONTACT US
USC Marshall School of Business
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Phone: (213) 740-8885
NEWS + EVENTS
AI for Business Major Kicks Off at Marshall and Viterbi
The program’s inaugural cohort of 47 students has inspired and impressed.
Neely Center Introduces First-of-its-Kind Artificial Intelligence Index
The Neely UAS Artificial Intelligence (AI) Index is the first longitudinal public tracking survey, with new data to be published monthly.
USC Marshall Announces New Joint Undergraduate Degree: AI for Business
The degree continues Marshall’s mission to prepare the next generation of business leaders for a rapidly evolving tech environment.
Marshall Undergraduate Programs receive STEM Designation
The new designation benefits all but has particular implications for international students.