{"id":25742,"date":"2025-11-07T09:10:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T17:10:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?p=25742"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:12:15","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T22:12:15","slug":"masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/","title":{"rendered":"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n    \n                                          \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-hero \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-hero\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Illustration of opposing silhouettes that share an electronic brain against a background of equations, gears and electronics\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"image-caption\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  The new Master of Science in Mathematical Data Science program supplies the growing demand for experts who understand the mathematics behind AI technology. (Composite: Letty Avila. Image source: iStock.)\n\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n          <nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n        <ul>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\/?category=science-and-technology\">Science and Technology<\/a><\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/nav>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title\">\n\n    \n  <h1>Training the minds behind the AI algorithm<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"subtitle\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  A new master\u2019s program at USC Dornsife teaches students the mathematical foundations that drive artificial intelligence \u2014 empowering them to build the algorithms shaping our future.\n\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n           <strong class=\"author-field\"><span >By<\/span><a href=\"mailto:communication@dornsife.usc.edu\">USC Dornsife News<\/a><\/strong>\n    \n          <span class=\"post-date-field\">November 7, 2025<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-share \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-share\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n    <span class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\" style=\"line-height: 32px;\">\n      <span class=\"title\">\n        Share\n      <\/span>\n                        <a class=\"a2a_button_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Link\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_copy_link\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m7.43475275 9.52380952-2.17490843 2.26076008c-1.08745421 1.058837-1.68841575 2.518315-1.68841575 4.0350275 0 1.5167124.60096154 2.9475732 1.68841575 4.0350274 1.058837 1.0874543 2.51831502 1.6884158 4.03502747 1.6884158 1.44087681 0 2.80427251-.5423678 3.86936601-1.5289606l.1656615-.1594552 2.2321428-2.2321428-1.6311813-1.6311813-2.2321429 2.26076c-.6581959.658196-1.5167124 1.0016026-2.43246332 1.0016026s-1.7742674-.3434066-2.43246337-1.0016026c-.65819597-.6581959-1.00160257-1.5167124-1.00160257-2.4324633 0-.8547009.2991453-1.6595442.87416905-2.2981957l.12743352-.1342677 2.23214286-2.2321429zm6.88661855-.40736607-5.26116068 5.26116075 1.61881868 1.6188186 5.2611607-5.2611607zm1.3837569-5.54501488c-1.4408768 0-2.8042725.54236779-3.869366 1.52896062l-.1656615.15945513-2.23214282 2.23214286 1.63118132 1.63118132 2.2321429-2.23214286c.6581959-.65819597 1.5167124-1.00160256 2.4324633-1.00160256s1.7742674.34340659 2.4324634 1.00160256 1.0016026 1.51671246 1.0016026 2.43246337c0 .85470089-.2991453 1.65954419-.8741691 2.29819559l-.1274335.1342678-2.2321429 2.2321428 1.5739469 1.5739469 2.2321429-2.2321428c1.0874542-1.058837 1.6884157-2.5183151 1.6884157-4.03502751 0-1.51671245-.6009615-2.94757326-1.6884157-4.03502747-1.058837-1.08745421-2.518315-1.68841575-4.0350275-1.68841575z\" transform=\"translate(-3 -3)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Copy Link<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_facebook\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Facebook\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_facebook\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m23.9512 6h-16.9024c-.57923625 0-1.0488.46956375-1.0488 1.0488v16.9024c0 .5792362.46956375 1.0488 1.0488 1.0488h9.10024v-7.34768h-2.46772v-2.87584h2.46772v-2.11508c0-2.45404 1.49872-3.79012 3.68828-3.79012.7389668-.00263323 1.4775241.03516995 2.21236.11324v2.56348h-1.51392c-1.18788 0-1.4174.56544-1.4174 1.39612v1.8316h2.84772l-.37088 2.87584h-2.47684v7.34844h4.83284c.5792362 0 1.0488-.4695638 1.0488-1.0488v-16.9024c0-.57923625-.4695638-1.0488-1.0488-1.0488z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -6)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Facebook<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_twitter\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#twitter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"X\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_twitter\">\n              <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\"\n\t y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 30 30\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 30 30\" xml:space=\"preserve\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\">\n<path fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14.5,16.2l-0.8-1.1l-6.3-9h2.7l5.1,7.3l0.8,1.1\n\tl6.6,9.4h-2.7L14.5,16.2L14.5,16.2z M16.9,13.4l7.4-8.7h-1.8l-6.5,7.5L11,4.8H5l7.8,11.4L5,25.2h1.8l6.8-7.9l5.5,7.9h6L16.9,13.4\n\tL16.9,13.4z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">X<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#linkedin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Linkedin\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_linkedin\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m25 21.4220779c0 1.974026-1.6038961 3.5779221-3.5779221 3.5779221h-11.84415582c-1.97402598 0-3.57792208-1.6038961-3.57792208-3.5779221v-11.84415582c0-1.97402598 1.6038961-3.57792208 3.57792208-3.57792208h11.84415582c1.974026 0 3.5779221 1.6038961 3.5779221 3.57792208zm-14.5584416-12.21428569c-.98701295 0-1.60389606.61688311-1.60389606 1.48051949-.12337663.8636364.49350649 1.4805195 1.48051946 1.4805195.987013 0 1.6038961-.6168831 1.6038961-1.4805195 0-.86363638-.6168831-1.48051949-1.4805195-1.48051949zm1.3571429 12.70779219v-8.6363636h-2.83766234v8.6363636zm10.2402597 0v-4.9350649c0-2.5909091-1.3571428-3.8246753-3.3311688-3.8246753-1.4805195 0-2.0974026.8636363-2.4675325 1.4805194v-1.2337662h-2.8376623v8.6363636h2.8376623v-4.9350649c0-.2467532 0-.4935065.1233767-.7402597.1233766-.4935065.6168831-.987013 1.4805194-.987013.987013 0 1.4805195.7402597 1.4805195 1.974026v4.564935z\" transform=\"translate(-6 -6)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">LinkedIn<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_bluesky\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#bluesky\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Bluesky\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_bluesky\">\n              <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n                <path fill=\"#00000\" d=\"M12 10.8c-1.087-2.114-4.046-6.053-6.798-7.995C2.566.944 1.561 1.266.902 1.565C.139 1.908 0 3.08 0 3.768c0 .69.378 5.65.624 6.479c.815 2.736 3.713 3.66 6.383 3.364c.136-.02.275-.039.415-.056c-.138.022-.276.04-.415.056c-3.912.58-7.387 2.005-2.83 7.078c5.013 5.19 6.87-1.113 7.823-4.308c.953 3.195 2.05 9.271 7.733 4.308c4.267-4.308 1.172-6.498-2.74-7.078a8.741 8.741 0 0 1-.415-.056c.14.017.279.036.415.056c2.67.297 5.568-.628 6.383-3.364c.246-.828.624-5.79.624-6.478c0-.69-.139-1.861-.902-2.206c-.659-.298-1.664-.62-4.3 1.24C16.046 4.748 13.087 8.687 12 10.8\"  fill-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n              <\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Bluesky<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_email\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#email\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"E-mail\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_print\">\n              <svg height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 12\" width=\"18\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m8.14285714 9.42857143c-.17142857 0-.34285714 0-.51428571.08571428l7.28571427 6.34285719c.3428572.2571428.6857143.2571428.9428572 0l7.2857142-6.34285719c-.0857142-.08571428-.2571428-.08571428-.4285714-.08571428zm-1.28571428 1.11428567v.1714286 8.5714286c0 .6857143.6 1.2857143 1.28571428 1.2857143h14.57142856c.6857143 0 1.2857143-.6 1.2857143-1.2857143v-8.5714286c0-.0857143 0-.0857143 0-.1714286l-7.2 6.3428572c-.7714286.6857143-1.8857143.6857143-2.6571429 0z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -9)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Email<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                  <\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/harnessing-artificial-intelligence-for-good\/\">Artificial intelligence<\/a> may seem like magic, but behind every chatbot, self-driving car, image generator, and digital assistant is math \u2014 a lot of it.<\/p>\n<p>As AI transforms industries from health care to finance to entertainment, there\u2019s growing demand for experts who understand the mathematics behind the technology. USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is helping meet that need with a new <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/math-data-science\/\">Master of Science in Mathematical Data Science<\/a> \u2014 a graduate program designed to train students not just to use AI, but to understand and build it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cData science is mathematics,\u201d said <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/our-leadership\/aaron-lauda\/\">Aaron Lauda<\/a>, divisional dean for the physical sciences and mathematics and professor of mathematics and physics and astronomy. \u201cIf you want to understand AI, you have to understand the math that makes it work. That\u2019s what makes this program unique.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Program\u2019s unique approach gets into AI\u2019s gears<\/h2>\n<p>Many graduate programs focus on how to apply existing algorithms: plug in data, run models, and interpret outputs. But those tools quickly become outdated, Lauda says. \u201cBy the time you finish a program that just teaches applications, the algorithms you learned might already be obsolete.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This program takes a different approach. Its goal is to give students the mathematical foundation to implement the latest algorithms, understand why they work, and design the tools of the future.<\/p>\n<p>Launched this fall, the on-campus program, which spans three to four semesters, emphasizes probability theory, optimization, linear algebra, and statistical modeling \u2014 all pillars of modern machine learning. Students also gain hands-on experience working with real data sets from fields such as Earth sciences, biology, chemistry and physics.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want students to take the theory and apply it to actual problems,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/xiaohui-chen\/\">Xiaohui Chen<\/a>, co-director of the program. \u201cThat experiential learning builds a portfolio they can show to future employers or PhD programs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Chen, associate professor of mathematics, notes that the program addresses a growing need across myriad industries.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery sector now relies on data to guide decisions,\u201d he said. \u201cUnlike other programs that primarily teach how to use existing code libraries, ours trains students to create new techniques and algorithms. Graduates will leave with a rare combination of advanced math and statistical skills, mixed with practical experience.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Students say that approach is distinctive. Khang Nguyen enrolled after studying data science as an undergraduate and conducting research in reinforcement learning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wanted a school that would let me deepen my mathematical theory background while applying it to real-world data science problems,\u201d he said. \u201cWe solve real challenges and work on machine learning algorithms. And the \u2026 small class sizes let me work closely with professors and dive into research questions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition, USC\u2019s location in Los Angeles offers unique benefits, including access to internships and networking with local tech companies, entertainment studios, and startups. Students also benefit from the Trojan alumni network and career support, including industry speaker events and mentorship programs.<\/p>\n<h2>Real-world experience \u2014 and career prospects<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/sheel-ganatra\/\">Sheel Ganatra<\/a>, chair of USC Dornsife\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/mathematics\/\">Department of Mathematics<\/a> and professor of mathematics, emphasized that the program complements broader university initiatives, citing in particular the <a href=\"https:\/\/sites.usc.edu\/ietc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Institute on Ethics and Trust in Computing<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s a university-wide effort to ensure that AI is not only powerful but ethical and trustworthy,\u201d he said, \u201cand this program plays a key role in that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Beyond being prepared for careers in artificial intelligence, graduates will also be equipped for advanced research roles and doctoral study.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight now, the AI sector and its adjacent fields are growing rapidly,\u201d program co-director Chen said. \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.faistgroup.com\/news\/global-ai-market-2030\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Market projections<\/a> estimate the AI technology market could reach $1.8 trillion by 2030, and salaries for skilled data scientists average in the six-figure range. But more importantly, students gain skills that allow them to adapt as the field evolves,\u201d helping to solidify their long-term prospects, he added.<\/p>\n<p>Students are already exploring ambitious research directions. Nguyen is working on reinforcement learning projects focused on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tensorflow.org\/agents\/tutorials\/intro_bandit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bandit theory<\/a> and policy optimization techniques. His classmate, Viraj Bansal, is investigating how theoretical math, including areas like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quantamagazine.org\/the-useless-perspective-that-transformed-mathematics-20200609\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">representation theory<\/a>, can inform machine learning models.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis program lets us experiment and explore,\u201d Bansal said. \u201cWe\u2019re learning to be not just implementers of AI, but creators and innovators.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s exactly the kind of mindset the program is designed to foster, says <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/stanislav-minsker\/\">Stanislav Minsker<\/a>, professor of mathematics and program co-director.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you want to go beyond the traditional data science program, to understand and build AI from the ground up, this is the place to do it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"video-embed\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ELOFHqe2BFs?si=K88BwUMxR9FtYLFo\" title=\"Introducing M.S. in Mathematical Data Science at USC Dornsife\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-related-stories \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-related-stories\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Related Articles\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n                  <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/cosmic-measurements-of-gravity-support-dark-matter\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >Scientists test a fundamental rule of gravity on cosmic scales \u2014 and it holds up<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/santec-usa-corporation-funds-fellowships-for-physics-research\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >New fellowship empowers future physicists to explore quantum frontier<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/matthew-pratt-aaas-fellow\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >USC Dornsife chemistry professor named fellow of leading global scientific organization<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new master\u2019s program at USC Dornsife teaches students the mathematical foundations that drive artificial intelligence \u2014 empowering them to build the algorithms shaping our future.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":25744,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[16,17],"tags":[99,121,94],"class_list":["post-25742","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-science-and-technology","category-student","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-graduate","tag-mathematics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Training the minds behind the AI algorithm<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"New master\u2019s program teaches mathematical foundations behind artificial intelligence, so grads can build the algorithms shaping our future\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"New master\u2019s program teaches mathematical foundations behind artificial intelligence, so grads can build the algorithms shaping our future\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"USC Dornsife News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-11-07T17:10:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-02T22:12:15+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Darrin Joy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@uscdornsife\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@uscdornsife\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Darrin Joy\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/851085523b73581e3387a7fc90cadb96\"},\"headline\":\"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-07T17:10:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-02T22:12:15+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/\"},\"wordCount\":7,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"artificial intelligence\",\"graduate\",\"mathematics\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Science and Technology\",\"Student\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/\",\"name\":\"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-11-07T17:10:24+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-02T22:12:15+00:00\",\"description\":\"New master\u2019s program teaches mathematical foundations behind artificial intelligence, so grads can build the algorithms shaping our future\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1150,\"caption\":\"Illustration of opposing silhouettes that share an electronic brain against a background of equations, gears and electronics\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\",\"name\":\"USC Dornsife News\",\"description\":\"USC Dornsife news and events\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\",\"name\":\"USC Dornsife News\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":330,\"caption\":\"USC Dornsife News\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/uscdornsife\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uscdornsife\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/USCCollege\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/uscdornsife\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/851085523b73581e3387a7fc90cadb96\",\"name\":\"Darrin Joy\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6146fe42c51c04a279975fc6b76b6dd8e0953f02c4c058e244e6f3e9220652b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6146fe42c51c04a279975fc6b76b6dd8e0953f02c4c058e244e6f3e9220652b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Darrin Joy\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/author\/darrinjo\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm","description":"New master\u2019s program teaches mathematical foundations behind artificial intelligence, so grads can build the algorithms shaping our future","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm","og_description":"New master\u2019s program teaches mathematical foundations behind artificial intelligence, so grads can build the algorithms shaping our future","og_url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/","og_site_name":"USC Dornsife News","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife","article_published_time":"2025-11-07T17:10:24+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-02T22:12:15+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1150,"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Darrin Joy","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@uscdornsife","twitter_site":"@uscdornsife","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/"},"author":{"name":"Darrin Joy","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/851085523b73581e3387a7fc90cadb96"},"headline":"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm","datePublished":"2025-11-07T17:10:24+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-02T22:12:15+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/"},"wordCount":7,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg","keywords":["artificial intelligence","graduate","mathematics"],"articleSection":["Science and Technology","Student"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/","name":"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg","datePublished":"2025-11-07T17:10:24+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-02T22:12:15+00:00","description":"New master\u2019s program teaches mathematical foundations behind artificial intelligence, so grads can build the algorithms shaping our future","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/11\/ai-math-masters-top.jpg","width":2000,"height":1150,"caption":"Illustration of opposing silhouettes that share an electronic brain against a background of equations, gears and electronics"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/masters-program-teaches-math-behind-artificial-intelligence\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Training the minds behind the AI algorithm"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/","name":"USC Dornsife News","description":"USC Dornsife news and events","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization","name":"USC Dornsife News","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg","width":1000,"height":330,"caption":"USC Dornsife News"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife","https:\/\/x.com\/uscdornsife","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uscdornsife\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/USCCollege","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/uscdornsife"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/851085523b73581e3387a7fc90cadb96","name":"Darrin Joy","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6146fe42c51c04a279975fc6b76b6dd8e0953f02c4c058e244e6f3e9220652b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6146fe42c51c04a279975fc6b76b6dd8e0953f02c4c058e244e6f3e9220652b3?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Darrin Joy"},"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/author\/darrinjo\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25742","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25742"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27245,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25742\/revisions\/27245"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25744"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25742"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25742"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}