PHILADELPHIA, December 10, 2024 – The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania proudly announces a $5 million gift from Mark J. Pincus, W’88, founder of social gaming company Zynga and a pioneer in generative AI applications. This visionary gift supports the launch of the Pincus Artificial Intelligence Lab for Organizational Innovation. As the largest contribution to the Generative AI Labs (GAIL) since launching at Wharton, this gift will position the School at the forefront of using AI to transform modern organizational practices.
A New Frontier in Generative AI Led by Wharton
Led by Co-Directors Prof. Ethan Mollick and Dr. Lilach Mollick, GAIL explores innovative AI applications for business and education by combining research and prototyping in ways that help humans thrive and succeed, while mitigating risks and dangers. This research and practical focus support Wharton’s mission to lead in generative AI education and empower the next generation of business leaders to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
“Mark Pincus’ generous support allows Wharton to push the boundaries of AI as a tool for organizational innovation,” said Wharton Dean Erika H. James. “His insights and experience are instrumental to our goal of developing AI solutions that address complex business challenges and make transformative impacts in the lives of students, entrepreneurs, and leaders worldwide.”
Driving Research and Real-World Impact
The Pincus Artificial Intelligence Lab for Organizational Innovation will focus on the challenge of incorporating AI into organizational structures. The Lab will design AI-driven approaches that help outline new ways to organize and foster productive human-AI interactions. By focusing on how AI can assist key roles like product management, the Lab aims to provide near-term and practical tools to help people succeed.
“Wharton is the ideal setting for realizing AI’s potential to revolutionize product management and organizational design. As an alumnus, I’ve always hoped to see the School integrate digital product creation. Ethan’s vision for an AI lab goes beyond what I ever imagined. He is pioneering the next chapter in business, one centered on building and inventing,” said Pincus. “My hope is that the Lab becomes a center for experimentation and practical AI applications that enhance how businesses operate and help leaders address real-world challenges. Through collaboration with faculty and students, we can create tools that have a lasting impact.”
A Partnership for the Future
Pincus was inspired to make this gift through his own extensive experience in product management and his commitment to advancing innovative approaches that redefine the product development mindset. In pursuing this mission, Pincus recognized the benefits and unrivaled potential of AI, not only in product development but in many other fields. This gift is intended to support the synergies between Pincus’ business insights and the Mollicks’ innovative, entrepreneurial ideas generated at GAIL.
The support from Pincus recognizes and amplifies the work being undertaken by GAIL under the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative. The AI & Analytics Initiative brings together research and development of AI technologies and extrapolates findings across disciplines and sectors. Its mission is to enrich educational and professional experiences through practical AI applications, preparing individuals to succeed in an increasingly complex digital era. The partnership between GAIL, the Initiative, the School, and Pincus will help bring this vision to fruition.
Eric Bradlow, Vice Dean of AI & Analytics at Wharton, K.P. Chao Professor and Professor of Marketing, Economics, Education, and Statistics and Data Science, also expressed excitement and gratitude for the Lab’s launch: “The Pincus AI Lab represents a new era for Wharton’s data and analytics initiatives, as it allows us to translate cutting-edge AI research into practical applications for the business world. Mark’s support is invaluable in advancing Wharton’s applications of AI as a powerful tool for creating business value and societal benefit.”
About the Wharton School
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With a faculty of more than 235 renowned professors, Wharton has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year, 100,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs, and thousands of pre-collegiate students explore business concepts through Wharton’s Global Youth Program. More than 105,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. For more information, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
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