Emily Manetta, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Linguistics Program
English Language and Literature
Linguistics Program
College of Arts and Sciences
Propel AI Visiting Expert for Friday, October 4: Spencer Overton
Spencer Overton is the Patricia Roberts Harris Research Professor of Law at the George Washington University. His current research explores the implications of AI and alternative election systems in representative democracy in the U.S. In addition to this work, Overton has testified four times before congress on policies addressing online disinformation and deepfake technology.
Program Overview
Propel AI (Artificial Intelligence) grows faculty competence in cutting-edge AI technologies and the rapidly changing landscape of AI research. The program incubates brand new research initiatives in AI and enhances interdisciplinarity collaborative partnerships.
Program participants will engage in six one-day workshops led by expert guests with a focus on hands-on skill building, creative planning and built-in networking. They will also match with a group of fellow Propel AI scholars with intersecting interests for guided small group conversations.
Program Length: Academic Year
Number of In-Person Sessions: 6 Half-Day Sessions
Eligible Faculty Rank: All
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for Propel AI, faculty members must:
- Be employed at USC Columbia, the USC schools of medicine in Columbia or Greenville, a four-year USC comprehensive institution or a USC Palmetto College campus.
- Hold a faculty or research faculty position - all faculty ranks are eligible.
- Demonstrate a proven record of or abiding interest in interdisciplinary scholarship.
- Have specific intentions and at least two defined goals for their work in the program - no prior knowledge of AI is required.
- Not be a participant in the Propel program simultaneously.
Participant Expectations
Propel AI participants are expected to:
- Attend six in-person program sessions on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Arrive at all invited speaker sessions with prepared questions and ideas.
- Participate in assigned interdisciplinary scholar peer group activities.
- Define and achieve two to three goals by participating in the program.
- Complete before and after self-reflection surveys.
- Complete small projects, trainings or workshops between sessions as appropriate for their AI interests and goals.
- Inventory their skills and competencies as part of a new “AI Community of Scholars” that will be made available to USC faculty and students.
Post-Program Opportunities
Once they finish the program, participants will have:
- The opportunity to apply for dedicated ASPIRE seed funding through the Office of the Vice President for Research to support meritorious projects emerging from the Propel AI program.
- A warm welcome into the campus-wide Propel AI scholar network, which will facilitate sharing the specialized expertise and skillsets of participating faculty members to enable collaboration.
- External promotion via an outward-facing site featuring all Propel AI scholars.
Propel AI Faculty Leads
Bankole Olatosi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Health Services Policy and Management
Arnold School of Public Health
Bryant Walker Smith, J.D.
Associate Professor of Law
Joseph F. Rice School of Law