USC Launches AI Institute to Support Acting Students' Skills Development

The institute aims to help performers engage with AI technology as a tool to augment their craft rather than replace it. The initiative will begin by focusing on educating students about the basics of AI.

USC plans to collaborate with a technology company on educational events and create lab spaces and student think tanks where students can access equipment and receive guidance. Over time, the institute intends to explore practical applications of AI for actors, such as interacting with AI-generated scene partners, receiving career advice, and using AI as a form of representation for unsigned actors.

The institute will also address issues related to controlling actors' likenesses, potentially through joint classes with the university's law school.

The day-to-day operations of the institute will be managed by a chair in creator arts, who also has experience studying the influencer economy. USC’s initiative reflects a broader trend in arts education, where institutions are incorporating AI tools into creative training.

Some major technology and entertainment companies have made AI tools available to filmmakers and artists, and academic programs are increasingly integrating similar resources.

The outcomes of this approach remain to be seen, with potential benefits including new forms of creativity and enhanced training, as well as concerns about the impact on traditional skills. The dean of the School of Dramatic Arts stated that the goal is to create a creative space where students can thoughtfully engage with AI and new technologies on their own terms, preparing them for careers in the industry.