The Artificial Intelligence Institute at the University of South Carolina conducts core AI research combined with AI applications and impact through extensive interdisciplinary collaborations with most colleges across the university. Led by Prof. Amit Sheth, a researcher, educator, and entrepreneur with a proven leadership record of creating world-class research centers and funding record (> $33 million), the center strives to leverage the comprehensive nature of the university to advance state-of-the-art AI applications in fields like digital and public health, engineering including manufacturing, social sciences, education, communications, autonomous transportation, and personalized security and comfort, while also helping shape and inform the ethics and policies surrounding these emergent solutions.