In Spring 2025, USC quietly announced that it was expanding access to powerful AI tools for the entire campus community. As a leading research university in artificial intelligence, USC is committed to not only developing AI technology but also ensuring that students, faculty, and staff can harness these tools to enhance learning, research, and productivity.
AI Tools Available for All USC Users
Every USC community member with a USC.edu account currently has FREE access to:
Microsoft Copilot - A versatile AI chatbot powered by ChatGPT technology that can assist with writing, research, and creative tasks. Access at copilot.microsoft.com by signing in with your USC credentials.
Google Gemini - Google's advanced AI assistant that can help with drafting, brainstorming, and problem-solving. Available at gemini.google.com when logged in with your USC account.
Perplexity Pro - A powerful research assistant that combines multiple top AI models (GPT-4.1, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, Gemini 2.5 Pro, etc.) in one platform. Useful for complex research queries, in-depth analysis, and solving challenging math or coding problems. Includes expanded daily Pro Searches and file upload capabilities (Spaces). Available at perplexity.ai when setup with your USC credentials.
Zoom AI Companion - Automatically summarizes Zoom discussions, identifies action items, and prepares meeting follow-ups. Available at usc.zoom.us and the Zoom app when logged in with your USC account.
Data Security and Privacy
USC's AI Tiger Team has carefully evaluated these tools for security and data protection: Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini; however, these tools should not be used with confidential or controlled data without specific approval from the Office of Cybersecurity.
Getting Started
Thoughtful and ethical use of these powerful resources is paramount! While AI tools can certainly enhance productivity and innovation, users should maintain critical judgment when implementing AI-generated content and preserve their distinct professional perspectives.
USC encourages responsible AI adoption that augments human expertise rather than diminishing it, and that complements human efforts, rather than replacing them. Be mindful of the risks and always verify the accuracy of AI-generated outputs, especially when making important decisions.