Uncovering Cancer’s Clues
USC Computer Science Professor Yan Liu develops AI model to predict treatment outcomes and identify resistance in ovarian cancer
USC+Amazon Center Announces 2024-2025 Projects and Fellows
The USC + Amazon Center on Secure and Trusted Machine Learning reaffirms its commitment to innovation by funding three new projects and welcoming three fellows for 2024-2025.
USC at the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) 2024
USC researchers present their latest research at NeurIPS 2024, one of the world’s top natural language processing and artificial intelligence conferences.
USC Launches First-of-its-Kind Interdisciplinary PhD Program in Artificial Intelligence and Operations Research
The launch of the new ORAI PhD certificate program is supported by a $2.9 million National Research Traineeship (NRT) grant from the National Science Foundation, putting USC at the forefront of AI for decision-making.
“Researchers have to ask themselves how AI can be used for nefarious purposes”
EP. 1 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know researchers from across the institute. This week: Jacob Lichtefeld
USC at EMNLP 2024
USC researchers present their latest research at EMNLP 2024, one of the world’s top natural language processing and artificial intelligence conferences.
Leveraging Machine Learning to Detect Middle Ear Diseases
Leveraging machine learning and cutting-edge imaging, USC students and otolaryngology professor pioneer new methods for detecting middle ear diseases.
USC ISI at the 2024 EMNLP Conference
Notable research that drives forward AI capabilities in language, ethics, social science and more
$1M Investment and a New Director Fuel AI for Health Innovation at ISI’s AI4Health Center
A $1M investment and a new director will propel ISI’s AI4Health center’s mission to advance AI research to tackle some of the most difficult health challenges of our time.
How Do We Protect Our Future Robot-Driven Systems from Attackers?
A new $2.1 million project supported by the Office of Naval Research will provide invaluable intelligence for the robot systems that will be essential to our future lives.
USC at the Conference of Robot Learning (CoRL) 2024
USC computer science faculty and students present their latest work on the intersection of robotics and machine learning.
Researchers uncover an information operation threatening the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election
A new study from USC ISI’s Election Integrity Initiative finds evidence of a multi-platform network spreading biased political content
Flagged for Being Queer
USC ISI researchers uncover bias in content moderation, specifically, how LLMs misinterpret gender-nonconforming speech.
The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Countering Hate Speech on Reddit
A USC ISI study reveals that counterspeech fails to change user behavior in hate-based subreddits – except when it is hostile
USC ISI Shines at LA Tech Week 2024
From AI Titans to cutting-edge labs, ISI researchers showcased future technology to the LA tech community.
Could Autonomous Vehicles Make Us More Altruistic?
For USC Viterbi researcher Ruolin Li, the design and optimization of autonomous vehicles (AVs) calls for a balance of societal benefits and individual interests.
USC at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS)
USC researchers present 12 papers at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), showcasing their cutting-edge research on robotics and sustainable development.
Does ChatGPT Belong in Mensa?
ISI researchers investigate whether advanced AI can solve visual puzzles and perform abstract reasoning.
Ph.D. Candidate Pooria Namyar Among 41 Named MLCommons Rising Stars
AI group chosen for his work developing reliable high-performance machine learning systems.
USC Viterbi To Play Significant Role in New NSF Center Aimed at Insights on Pandemic Pre-emergence
Researchers will provide expertise on AI/machine learning, data analytics, and algorithm design for the new NSF Center for Pandemic Insights.
From Blood Tests to Brain Scans: How AI is Revolutionizing Alzheimer’s Research
How advanced technology offers new hope in the fight against a devastating disease.
AI Solutions for Social Good: Ph.D. Student Enlists LLM Assistants on Project Addressing Homelessness
Jaspreet Ranjit is working on the use of large language models as assistants to domain experts in the nonprofit space.
Innovation and Ice Cream: ISI’s Back-to-School Kickoff
ISI started the school year with an afternoon of cutting-edge research, fun facts, and community building.
Maryam Shanechi Named Blavatnik National Awards Finalist for 2nd Year in a Row
Recognized for having “Pioneered research at the intersection of engineering, AI, and neuroscience to develop advanced neurotechnologies.”
USC ISI Takes Center Stage at LA Tech Week
From AI panels to exclusive lab tours and a rooftop mixer, USC Viterbi’s Information Sciences Institute (ISI) invites tech enthusiasts to join free events in the heart of Silicon Beach during LA Tech Week, October 14-18, 2024.
AI Helps Scientists Predict the Future Climate by Studying the Distant Past
Researchers at USC Viterbi’s Information Sciences Institute are bringing AI to the Earth sciences, starting with paleoclimatology.
‘I Want to Move My Arm’: New AI Can ID Brain Patterns Related to Specific Behavior
A breakthrough for paralyzed patients? New algorithm from Maryam Shanechi’s lab can improve brain-computer interfaces and discover new brain patterns.
The ReWater Center will Revolutionize Resource Resilience
The Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) is at the forefront of research for the treatment and reuse of one of our greatest resources: water.
A Healthier Menu
For USC’s Abigail Horn, helping people make healthier choices starts with using AI to evaluate their menus.
Not Feeling It: AI’s Emotional Disconnect
ISI researchers explore the importance of affective alignment in AI.
USC Viterbi AI Startups Thrive
Defying rollercoaster AI investment trends, startups founded by alumni and faculty at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering have consistently seen success in VC funding.
Deception, Persuasion, and AI
AI players dominate the game Diplomacy, but negotiation and communication are not their strength, a USC ISI study finds.
ISI at ACL ’24
Notable research includes work on newsworthiness prediction, AI diplomacy, creating better conversational datasets and more.
From France to Los Angeles: Collaborating on space work
USC SERC has invited three interns from the French Air Force Academy to work on prototypes of space-qualified robots that will improve space operations.
Leveling Up Research and Publishing in Geoscience’s Open-Source Era
A new workshop held at USC’s Information Sciences Institute hopes to have a ripple effect throughout the geoscience community.
“If you study AI you need to be curious and not pay attention to the noise”
EPISODE 28 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Pei Zhou
Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road? To Evaluate Your LLM
A USC ISI researcher and his collaborators propose separating the AI makers from the AI testers to create more robust systems.
Imagine Hearing A Distant Relative Telling Stories in a Nearly Forgotten Language. What Would You Do?
For Jared Coleman, Ph.D. ’24, it meant developing AI tools to help revitalize Owens Valley Paiute, a critically endangered Indigenous language.
USC at the NAACL ’24 Conference
Notable research includes work on legal AI, LLM manipulation by bad actors, and assessing argument quality.
From Wearables to Swallowables: USC Engineering Researchers Create GPS-like Smart Pills with AI
Utilizing wearable electronics and AI, new ingestible sensors provide real-time 3D monitoring of gastrointestinal health
New AI System Detects Rare Epileptic Seizures
USC computer science researchers developed a new AI system to accurately detect epileptic seizure types, improving the diagnosis of rare and complex cases, even in young children
How easy is it to get AIs to talk like a partisan?
Very easy, according to a new study on LLMs.
Cybersecurity With Human-AI Collaboration
ISI researchers are integrating AI into cybersecurity operations to defend from cyberattacks and aid analysts.
“I worry that AI will be used to manipulate large groups of people”
EPISODE 25 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Myrl Marmarelis
Shanechi-led USC Center for Neurotechnology Boosted by Grant From NIH BRAIN Initiative
$5 million grant will develop multimodal AI and sensing technology for mental state tracking.
“AIs will give you answers even if they don’t know”
EPISODE 24 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Negar Mokhberian
Detecting Influence Campaigns on X with AI and Network Science
ISI researchers have developed machine learning models to identify coordinated inauthentic behaviors by accounts on X involved in influence campaigns around the world
Optimizing Data Flow for Scientific Discovery
Scientists are calculating earthquake risk using an ISI-created system that automates and manages data- and compute-intensive research.
At USC + Amazon Center Symposium, Speakers Highlight Ties Between University and Industry
Collaboration is a big topic at third annual gathering that addresses AI, security, research.
USC’s ShowCAIS 2024 Doubles Down on the Power of AI to Address Social Challenges
The annual event expands its reach and impact while displaying multifaceted approaches to AI applications.
Creating Human-Like Chatbots
ISI researchers explore how to advance AI toward more authentic interaction.
Making AI safe and fair
How ISI researchers are engaging in research, policy and thought leadership to guide AI toward positive futures.
USC Robotics Open House 2024 Inspires Next Generation Innovators
Experience the vibrant world of Trojan robotics through the eyes of 160 enthusiastic students
Solving The Space Dilemma
USC ISI researchers are building tools to solve safety problems in space operations, and creating test beds to simulate cyberattacks in space
Uncovering Hidden Authors with AI
USC ISI computer scientists are developing language technologies that could potentially identify who wrote anonymous text.
AI Helps Truckers and Manufacturers Come Together
Loop, a Chicago-based startup co-founded by USC Viterbi alumnus Matt McKinney, leverages AI to digitize shipment data, for the benefit of manufacturers and freight companies
USC and Capital One Establish New Center for Responsible AI in Finance
Housed under the USC School of Advanced Computing, the center aims to advance responsible AI for financial services
Unlocking the Road Ahead: Exploring the Challenges and Visions of Autonomous Vehicles
A Glimpse into the USC Center for Autonomy and AI’s Efforts
ISI Researchers Pioneer Developments In Protein Data Bank
ISI researchers are part of a core team developing the PDB-Dev repository, initiated by the Protein Data Bank, a foundational repository for macromolecular structures
USC Researchers are Developing AI-Enhanced Safety Inspections for Nuclear Waste
Researchers in the USC Sonny Astani Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering are tackling one of the most complex problems facing the U.S. Department of Energy: how to safely handle and store “spent” nuclear fuel.
Teaching robots to walk on the moon, and maybe rescue one another
USC, UPenn, Texas A&M, Oregon State, Georgia Tech, Temple University, and NASA Johnson Space Center are teaching dog-like robots to navigate craters of the moon and other challenging planetary surfaces in research funded by NASA.
Could Computer Science Aid the Next Jimi Hendrix?
With award-winning music education app ‘Notey’s World,’ Adithya Bellathur and a team of USC alumni seek to encourage new guitarists and musicians.
USC CREATE, Established in the Wake of 9/11, Announces its 20th Anniversary Symposium
The symposium, headlined by Michael Chertoff, former U.S. secretary of homeland security, highlights two decades of work in security, risk and economic analysis.
“I wish AI could surpass humans in empathy, it should be pretty easy”
EPISODE 19 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Casandra Rusti
From Biology to Batteries: Professor Krishna Garikipati is Changing the Way we Use AI to Predict Patterns
The USC Department of Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering welcomes Professor Krishna Garikipati, a leader in the field of computational mechanics.
Inside ISI’s Ph.D. Visit Day 2024
Prospective graduate students traveled to ISI’s Marina Del Rey headquarters to experience the institute’s academic environment.
To “Howdy,” or Not to “Howdy,” That Is the Question
USC researchers explore the impact of prompt design on large language model performance.
“We need more social sciences experts in AI to focus on its human side”
EPISODE 18 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Shushan Arakelyan
How Online Echo Chambers Make Eating Disorders Worse
USC researchers uncover social media’s “vicious cycle” that traps vulnerable populations within pro-anorexia communities.
USC Research at AAAI 2024
From public health insights to busting bias in machine learning, discover USC researchers’ groundbreaking artificial intelligence work at AAAI 2024
USC Viterbi Announces Participation in Department of Commerce Consortium Dedicated to AI Safety
USC will be one of approximately 30 universities helping to advance the development and deployment of safe, trustworthy AI under a new U.S. Government Safety Institute
Could AI Help Us Prepare for the Next Pandemic?
Computer science doctoral student Elizabeth Ondula leverages AI to enhance pandemic response strategies
How to Build Your Own Robot Friend: Making AI Education More Accessible
USC researchers develop new open-source platform to help students build their own low-cost robot companion from scratch
Diversifying Data to Beat Bias in AI
USC researchers propose a novel approach to mitigate bias in machine learning model training
A voice in public policies
From biotech to misinformation, some of today’s biggest policy challenges are informed by researchers at ISI.
Does AI understand common sense?
ISI researchers dive deep into evaluating how well language models can reason about our everyday world.
AI Platform to Revolutionize the Discovery of the Materials of the Future
The $2 million NSF project will harness AI to generate new optimized superalloys for game-changing applications from aerospace to healthcare.
Looking Back on the Incredible Undertakings of AI4Health in 2023
The Center on AI Research for Health debuted projects on radiation oncology, neurodegenerative diseases and mental health
“I try to solve problems where we don’t have enough resources”
EPISODE 12 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Mozhdeh Gheini
AI/nsiders Podcast: Meet the Humans Behind the AI of ISI
ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers in this weekly series.
Joshua Yang Secures Center of Excellence for Work on Neuromorphic Computing
USC will lead Air Force-funded Center that includes four other universities.
“We need diverse voices doing AI to serve a diverse population”
EPISODE 10 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Emmanuel Johnson
“Apply AI to problems you are passionate about”
EPISODE 9 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Abigail Horn
“If I could go back in time I would tell myself to learn Python much earlier”
EPISODE 8 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Joel Mathew
“If we blur the line between what is real and fake, everything is fake”
EPISODE 7 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Wael AbdAlmageed
Copy and Paste: New AI Tool Helps Computers Interpret the World
USC computer science researchers present new technique to “copy and paste” virtual 3D objects into real indoor scenes, improving how computers see and interpret the world
Once is enough: Helping robots learn quickly in new environments
A new algorithm developed by USC computer science researchers shows that robots can, in computer simulations, learn tasks after a single demonstration
New AI Algorithm Enables Advanced Real-Time Decoding for Neurotechnologies
Algorithm can enhance decoding accuracy of brain signals in real-time brain-computer interfaces.
From the USC Viterbi Magazine: Small Ally, Big Impact
How a little robot is helping students with ADHD symptoms find their focus.
USC @ EMNLP 2023
USC researchers present papers at EMNLP 2023, one of the world’s top natural language processing conferences.
AI can help journalists find diverse and original sources
ISI researchers are helping streamline reporters’ workflows with AI gadgets, including a source-recommendation engine.
“We don’t have evidence that genuine AI empathy is on the horizon”
EPISODE 6 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Katy Felkner
Cooling Down the Hot Takes on Twitch
USC computer scientists have developed a novel method of moderating toxic content on live-streaming platforms.
“Learn fundamental math: AI will always rely on it”
EPISODE 5 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Mahyar Khayatkhoei
“I want to make an impact by reducing misinformation”
EPISODE 4 ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Ashwin Shreyas
Too Close for Comfort: USC Viterbi Students Use AI to Prevent Aircraft Collisions
USC had two teams among top 10 finalists in national FAA Data Challenge 2023.
“AI is a tool but it might not be your best solution”
EPISODE 3 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Deborah Khider
New Robotic System Assesses Mobility After Stroke
A new robotic tool developed by a team of experts in computer science and biokinesiology could help stroke survivors more accurately track their recovery progress.
Materials Discovery to Enable Computers that Think More Like Humans
New USC Viterbi-led research has uncovered a novel semiconductor with an unusual material property that can enable energy-efficient computing hardware that functions like the human brain.
Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Receives $700,000 Air Force Grant for GPU Cluster
New GPU cluster will allow the next generation of students and researchers to investigate the world of AI and machine learning as part of USC Frontiers of Computing initiative.
“A smarter way to organize the world around us”
EPISODE 2 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. Today: Gleb Satyukov
Making better robots for humans: USC at CORL 2023
USC computer science faculty and students present their latest work in the field of human-robot interaction.
Finding Answers (About the Best Way to Find Answers)
USC computer scientists evaluate data representation methods for a number of applications.
Hangbo Zhao Receives Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program Award
The highly competitive program supports outstanding early career researchers developing innovative solutions to challenges faced by the Navy and Marine Corps.
“AI can be good for low stakes issues”
EPISODE 1 | ISI’s Artificial Intelligence director, anthropologist Adam Russell, gets to know his researchers. This week: Keith Burghardt
Beneath the Waves
Rusty Jehangir empowers thousands to pursue underwater robotics and exploration with startup Blue Robotics
The Evolution of Cities: AI Helps Map Madrid and More
A USC computer scientist presents data to understand the changing nature of cities and plan sustainable cities of the future.
Trojan Trio Make Waves at Google DeepMind
USC computer science alumni worked on Google’s “first-of-its-kind” robot AI model, the Robotic Transformer 2 (RT-2)
Mahdi Soltanolkotabi Receives NIH Director’s New Innovator Award for Reliable AI for MRI
$2.4 million grant will be used to develop new AI-powered algorithms that could lessen the need for higher-strength MRI machines and correct for various imaging artifacts.
Advanced Computing in Civil and Environmental Engineering
In teaching and research, advanced computational methods are essential for achieving the strategic vision at Sonny Astani Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering (CEE)
USC at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS)
USC researchers present 14 papers at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS), showcasing leading-edge research in robotics.
Paul Bogdan joins team researching nanotechnology for NSF-funded center
The UMich-led Center for Complex Particle Systems (COMPASS), one of four new Science and Technology Centers, will look to nature for inspiration on particles.
Designing an Engine Ready for Hydrogen Combustion
The U.S. Department of Energy is supporting a major USC research initiative to advance the next stage of the clean energy revolution.
Origami-Inspired Strain Sensors for Stretchable Soft Robotics
USC researchers have developed an innovative solution to measure the motion of soft components in robotics.
ISI Ph.D. Students Connect Academic Learning with Summer Internships
ISI Ph.D. students spent their summers gaining practical experience and building professional networks at major tech companies.
A Smarter Approach to Answer Financial Questions
USC Information Sciences Institute researchers apply a case-based reasoning approach using relevant examples to help answer financial questions.
Causal Effects: Distinguishing Correlation from Causation
USC Information Sciences Institute researchers grapple with hidden variables in cause-and-effect studies to make better-informed decisions.
Building Better Models Starts With Reexamining the Metrics
USC computer scientists present a better way to measure the performance of generative AI models at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML).
Predicting the Future, Starting With Billiard Balls and Car Collisions
An ISI team identifies limitations in dynamics prediction and proposes a solution.
Maryam Shanechi Named Blavatnik National Awards Finalist
She was recognized for her “pioneering brain-machine interfaces that can model, decode, and control complex neural activity patterns by the intersection of engineering, computing, and neuroscience”
USC at the International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML)
USC researchers will present nine papers at the 40th International Conference on Machine Learning (ICML 2023), the leading international conference on machine learning
AI That Teaches Other AI
A new USC study finds that by sharing knowledge with each other at the same time, AI agents can quickly learn a wider range of tasks, with applications in medicine and beyond.
ISI at ACL ’23: Learning from Games, Mitigating Anti-LGBTQ+ Bias and Searching Events in Hundreds of Languages
USC’s Information Science Institute (ISI) brings a host of research to the conference – from dialogue models to machine learning to semantic understanding and more.
Dungeons & Dragons: Leading the Conversation through Intents and Theory-of-Mind
Researchers dive into the study of teacher-student natural language interactions to achieve a shared goal in the fantasy world game, Dungeons & Dragons.
Unbiased Medical Devices for All
Yasser Khan wins a prestigious Google Research Scholar Award for racial bias correction in a medical device that measures oxygen levels