Research Areas and Labs


Picture of a bulb, links to AI page

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Privacy/FATE

Picture of a colorful concentration cube, links to Theory research page

Theory and Computation

Picture of a blurred car on asphalt, links to Systems research page

Systems, Databases, Software Engineering, Cyber-Physical Systems, Security

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Privacy/FATE

About

Artificial intelligence (AI) researchers seek to understand and develop machines with human-level intelligence by exploring academic and real-world challenges. 

At USC, we are pioneering breakthroughs in a full spectrum of topics related to AI, including machine learning, human-robot interaction, information extraction, and privacy protection.

Our researchers are working in areas where AI has been studied for decades—like language—and where the tools are just starting to make inroads—such as efforts to combat human trafficking, conserve endangered wildlife, and diagnose and treat diseases, including Alzheimer's. 

We understand that the long-term goal of building intelligent machines relies on collaboration across many fields. That’s why we also work closely with researchers across application domains, such as healthcare, social work, and linguistics.

Theory and Computation

About

USC has a strong and active background in modern theoretical computer science, with research spanning a broad range of topics.  Areas of particular interest include the theory of algorithms and optimization, graph theory, scalable algorithms, theory of machine learning, computational geometry, complex analysis, computational complexity, algorithmic number theory, and cryptography.

Our researchers in this area are particularly motivated by bridging the gap between theory and practice, such as algorithmic design and optimization, cryptography and security, and automated verification and formal methods.

In addition, we have strong connections to other fields, including economics and game theory, pure mathematics, applied mathematics and scientific computing, network science, and sociology, as well as the evolution of concepts, ideas, and organisms.

Systems, Databases, Software Engineering, Cyber-Physical Systems, Security

About

The demands on modern computing systems are increasingly complex, from small embedded systems in phones, laptops and wearables, to large-scale cloud computing and high-performance networks.

Systems, databases, and software engineering research at USC aims to develop innovative hardware and software across the computing spectrum for existing technologies and to support future power-efficient, sustainable, and secure computer systems.

From smart cities and intelligent transportation systems to personalized medicine, next-generation computer systems will require new, innovative, and visionary approaches to hardware, wired and wireless communication.

At USC, researchers investigate various issues in the design and analysis of infrastructures for large networks. We focus on fundamental aspects of information acquisition, processing, security, privacy, storage, and communication.

Our research interests include crowd-sensing, program analysis, privacy-preserving systems, network design and management, software-defined networking, cloud computing, internet measurement, software verification and synthesis, advanced 5G wireless networks, and data center design.

Computer Vision, Robotics, Graphics and HCI

About

At USC, the areas of computer vision, robotics, graphics and human-computer interaction (HCI) represent the interface between computers and the world. 

Robotics at USC focuses on developing effective, robust, human-centric, and scalable robotic systems. In this area, our expertise ranges from socially assistive robotics and novel haptic technology to complex human-robot interaction and multi-robot systems.

In computer vision and graphics, our researchers bridge the physical and digital worlds through advanced recognition and analysis algorithms, as well as immersive technologies like augmented and virtual reality.

Our strengths in computer vision include object detection and recognition, face identification, activity recognition, video retrieval, and integrating computer vision with natural language queries.

Our graphics researchers focus on interactive techniques and the simulation and synthesis of multimedia, 3D content, and virtual worlds. Their work includes image-based modeling and reconstruction, shape analysis, 3D face processing, human digitization, efficient physics simulation, and image and video-based rendering techniques.

Published on August 2nd, 2019Last updated on September 23rd, 2024