Tecnológico de Monterrey Delegation Visits USC to Explore University’s AI Leadership Strategy

Across USC, scholars, students and educators are working to develop — and deploy — ethical, human-centered artificial intelligence that tackles today’s most pressing challenges. And, as universities around the world consider how AI will reshape learning and the future of work, collaboration across borders has become increasingly significant. 

That spirit of exchange brought representatives from Grupo Educativo Tecnológico de Monterrey — representing Tecnológico de Monterrey, Universidad Tecmilenio and TecSalud — to USC for conversations about AI and its growing role in higher education. The visit provided an opportunity for leaders at both institutions to share their perspectives on AI strategy, literacy, responsible adoption and more.

Building AI Fluency and Leadership

Preparing USC students for an AI-driven global workforce goes beyond teaching them how to use emerging tools and technologies. Geoffrey Garrett, chair of USC President’s AI Strategy Committee, describes the university’s approach as a “both/and” philosophy in which students become versed in the AI tools they will encounter in their professional lives all while developing the judgement to navigate complex societal questions raised by the technology.

“People on campus, and throughout society, understandably have real concerns about the breakneck speed of AI innovation,” Garrett, also a professor at USC Marshall School of Business, told USC Global. “The north star of the president’s committee was ‘both/and’ — we need to help students become both fluent in the AI tools they will use when they leave USC and responsible leaders when it comes to the profound issues generated by AI as diverse as academic integrity on campus and the future of work in society.”

That balance between innovation and responsibility was also a key point of interest for Grupo Educativo Tecnológico de Monterrey, which joined Garrett as well as representatives from USC Viterbi School of Engineering for multiple meetings last month.

“We chose to visit USC because of its recognized leadership in artificial intelligence,” said Gabriel Viesca, strategy director at Grupo Educativo Tecnológico de Monterrey. “The visit also reinforced the importance of continuing to strengthen AI literacy at every level, including staff, faculty and students, to support responsible, informed adoption and a shared understanding across the community.”

Viesca noted that USC’s significant investment in AI — including the landmark $200 million gift that led to the naming of the USC Mark and Mary Stevens School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence — positions the university at the forefront of the field.

“One of the aspects that stood out most was USC’s balance between establishing clear guardrails and fostering genuine trust and participation across its community,” Veisca continued. “Its approach to involving faculty and staff in shaping guidelines for the use of AI was particularly valuable as a point of comparison and learning alongside the work we are already advancing across our institutions.”

Connecting Global Perspectives on AI

The visit also allowed USC Viterbi and Grupo Educativo Tecnológico de Monterrey to exchange burgeoning knowledge and explore potential areas for collaborative research in engineering and AI. These included AI for social good, a topic presented by Bistra Dilkina, professor and co-director of the USC Center for AI in Society (CAIS).

“Hosting the delegation gave us an opportunity to learn about how universities operate in Mexico and hear about their strengths and the country’s initiatives,” said Cauligi “Raghu” Raghavendra, the USC Viterbi vice dean for global academic initiatives.

For both Raghavendra and Garrett, developing deeper academic partnerships always begins with understanding the distinct and varied strengths of each institution. This is especially valuable as the higher education landscape faces rapid technological advancements that not only reshape individual disciplines, but also how institutions teach, conduct research and serve their communities.

“I have long admired just how cutting edge Tecnológico de Monterrey is when it comes to all things advanced technology,” Garrett said. “I have no doubt the university will show the same dynamism and creativity when it comes to the AI revolution.”