Artificial Intelligence (AI) has a rich history spanning several decades, marked by periods of rapid progress, challenges, and renewed interest. Despite the recently reignited interest in AI, USC has a rich history and presence in the domain of AI. The historical activities in the domain of AI@USC can be traced as far back as the 1970s as shown in the figure below.
The AI Institute at USC (AII@USC) was established in 2018 as part of a major initiative (the Excellence Initiative) led and funded by USC. The first phase of its operation (Phase 1) consisted of creating the new facilities, hiring the core faculty, and establishing the needed infrastructure to engage in state-of-the-art AI/ML projects. Phase 1 of this project was completed with the leadership of the founding director Dr. Amit Sheth. Phase 2 of this project was initiated and led by Dr. Homayoun Valafar on November 2023. The primary objective of this phase is to connect with the USC community and the state of South Carolina constituency to address the research and training needs state-wide. To that end, the AII declares the following vision and mission statements.
The AII's vision during Phase 2 of its operation is to pioneer the responsible and transformative integration of artificial intelligence in advancing knowledge, innovation, and societal well-being, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical leadership to shape a future where AI empowers and uplifts humanity in the state of South Carolina.
Our mission is to advance the frontiers of artificial intelligence at USC and throughout the state of South Carolina through cutting-edge research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement, the AI Institute at the University of South Carolina is committed to developing innovative solutions that address global challenges, preparing the next generation of AI leaders, and promoting ethical practices that ensure AI benefits all of society.
Our targeted domains consist of the core strengths of USC in Health Science, Manufacturing, and Future Energy.