AI Institute of South Carolina (AIISC) | University of South Carolina

What We Do

The Institute combines foundational AI research with applied work — building models and tools alongside partners in industry, healthcare, and government.

Industry Research

Foundational and applied AI research across language, vision, and computational biology — work built both to publish and to deploy.

Patents & Commercialization

From SBIR/STTR projects to licensing deals, we turn research into products through active industry collaboration.

Health & Social Impact

AI for clinical decision support, public health, and accessibility — developed and tested with real partners.

Workforce & Education

Training the next generation through certificates, degree programs, and hands-on industry partnerships in AI.

What We Can Do For You

Research Collaboration

Embedded partnerships on funded research — from advisory roles to full-time dedicated AI scientists. Study design, model development, and publication support.

Advisory (5 hrs/wk)Part-TimeHalf-TimeFull-Time

Upcoming Series

Workshops & Training

AI literacy, ChatGPT applications, hands-on sessions, and intensive training — from 2-hour intros to multi-day programs. Custom content available.

Intro WorkshopsHalf & Full DayCustom Workshops

View Summer 2026 Series →

Grant & Publication Support

Letters of support, drafting or reviewing AI/ML methodology sections for grant proposals, and technical review of manuscripts for publication.

Letters of SupportGrant Technical SectionsManuscript Review

Coding Bootcamps

Python and ML fundamentals, applied ML and deep learning, and comprehensive multi-day programs for teams ready to build.

3-Hour Bootcamp6-Hour Extended12-Hour Multi-Day

Data Analytics

Defined-deliverable engagements covering data cleaning, exploratory analysis, statistical modeling, and technical reporting — from 10-hour sprints to 100-hour enterprise projects.

EDA & CleaningStatistical ModelingTechnical Reporting

AI Consulting

Initial consultations to assess AI/ML feasibility for your research or operational needs, plus technical scoping with a written project plan.

Initial ConsultationTechnical ScopingFeasibility Assessment

Ongoing maintenance, project management, and full-year engagements also available. Every partnership is different — let's find the right fit.

The Team

Leadership

Dr. Homayoun Valafar

Director, AI Institute • Chair & Professor, CSE

Core Faculty

Staff Scientists

Kuba Jerzmanowski

AI/ML Engineer I

Christopher Lee

AI/ML Engineer II

Sponsored by
College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management

Andrew Smith

AI/ML Engineer II

Sponsored by
Office of the Vice President for Research

Advisory Board

Dr. Leonardo Bonilha

Sr. Assoc. Dean for Research, School of Medicine

Dr. Julius Fridriksson

Professor & VP for Research, Arnold School of Public Health

Dr. Hossein Haj-Hariri

Dean, Molinaroli College of Engineering & Computing

Dr. Michael Huhns

NCR Distinguished Professor Emeritus, CSE

About Aii SC

The AI Institute of South Carolina brings together researchers, engineers, and industry partners to move AI from the lab into real use — across healthcare, industry, and the public sector.

Our work spans natural language processing, knowledge graphs, computer vision, health informatics, and neuro-symbolic AI — always with an eye toward practical deployment.

Natural Language Processing Knowledge Graphs Neuro-Symbolic AI Explainable AI Health Informatics Computer Vision

Human IntelligenceMeets Artificial

Industry Research

Patents & Commercialization

Health & Social Impact