Byungsu Kim inaugurated as President of University of Southern California

Byungsu Kim has officially been inaugurated as the 13th president of the University of Southern California (USC), becoming the first Korean-American to lead the institution. During the inauguration ceremony held at the Los Angeles campus, Kim outlined a vision for the university’s next 150 years, focusing on educational innovation in the age of artificial intelligence.

To adapt to rapid technological shifts, Kim announced a comprehensive overhaul of the undergraduate liberal arts curriculum—the first such major restructuring in decades. The new program aims to prioritize uniquely human capabilities that AI cannot easily replicate, such as creativity, empathy, ethical judgment, and critical thinking. The university also plans to expand interdisciplinary research and strengthen collaborations with industry and local communities.

The ceremony also highlighted Kim’s personal connection to the university; the son of Korean immigrants who studied at USC 50 years ago, he expressed a commitment to returning the opportunities provided by education to the next generation of students.