On March 5th 2024, Dr. William Swartout, ICT’s Chief Science Officer, gave the keynote speech on Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Town and Gown of USC, the venerable women’s philanthropic group’s monthly meeting.
“AI has captured the imagination of the public and media, yet what it is, what it can do, and what concerns it raises often remain elusive to many,” said Dr. Swartout, a renowned AI expert and USC faculty member. “Understanding its potential, challenges, and opportunities is crucial in navigating the evolving landscape of AI.”
To shed light on this transformative technology, Dr. Swartout’s talk, “Embracing Change: A Snapshot of USC’s Engagement with AI,” delved into the profound impact of recent AI advancements, focusing on two pivotal concerns: the influence of generative AI on education and the imperative to equip the American workforce with AI literacy for the jobs of the future.
Highlighting the innovative USC Center for Generative AI and Society, Dr. Swartout outlined its multifaceted approach.:
“Firstly, the Center aims to assess the impact of generative AI on education through comprehensive surveys, exploring attitudes of faculty and students and identifying opportunities for integration into instruction. Secondly, it fosters a vibrant community at USC with its Generative AI Fellows program, encouraging faculty to explore generative AI applications in their courses. Lastly, the Center pioneers the development of the Authoring by Brainstorming and Enhancement (ABE+) software framework, empowering students to enhance their writing skills through thoughtful brainstorming and constructive critiques.”
Recognizing the pressing need for widespread AI education, Dr. Swartout also introduced the new AI Research Center of Excellence for Education (AIRCOEE) at USC.
“This initiative, supported by the Army, endeavors to utilize AI to teach AI, addressing educational needs across military and civilian sectors alike,” Dr. Swartout explained.
His speech then showcased the innovative Personal Assistant for Lifelong Learning (PAL3), a smartphone-based framework designed to deliver tailored educational resources to students anytime, anywhere.
In a world increasingly shaped by AI, initiatives like those discussed by Dr. Swartout illuminate the path forward and highlight how USC is embracing the transformative potential of this groundbreaking technology.
Dr. Swartout’s speech is available to stream via the Town & Gown site here.