USC/ISI is an academic research institute that is part of USC's School of Engineering. Many ISI researchers are also on the faculty in computer science, and likewise, many CS graduate students do their PhD dissertation research at ISI. We are one of the largest AI groups in the country, with research spanning most AI topics.

ISI overlooks the coastal harbor of Marina del Rey and is located near beaches, restaurants, and a 13-mile ocean bike path. Southern California provides an ideal backdrop for creative work, with a number of major universities, cultural activities, water and mountain sports, and entertainment/shopping districts.

Our AI division holds a weekly research seminar mixing outside speakers with talks by ISI researchers. Several AI groups hold additional seminars, creating a lively research environment. AI groups at ISI frequently collaborate with each other, and they also work with groups like USC's Institute for Creative Technologies, as well as researchers outside USC.

Our research atmosphere is personal and casual. We focus on hard-science, cutting-edge ideas -- and on building AI systems that work.