About University of Southern California

Background

ICT was established in 1999 with a multi-year contract from the US Army to explore a powerful question: What would happen if leading technologists in artificial intelligence, graphics, and immersion joined forces with the creative talents of Hollywood and the game Industry?

The answer is the creation of engaging, memorable and effective interactive media that are revolutionizing learning in the fields of training, education and beyond.

We are leaders in an international effort to develop virtual humans who think and behave like real people. We create tools and immersive environments to experientially transport participants to other places.

Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, was a logical choice to base these endeavors. Each and every day ICT is able to leverage our location near major movie and game studios, to achieve our goals.

We are part of the University of Southern California, one of the nation’s top research universities, renowned the world over for its programs in cinema, interactive media, education and computer science.

We bring together the people who understand what makes compelling content with the people who understand how to develop realistic simulation technologies.

At ICT these disparate groups are pioneering new ways to teach and to train.

Historically, simulations focus on drills and mechanics. What sets ICT apart is our focus on human interactions and emotions—areas that are recognized as increasingly important in developing critical thinking and decision-making skills.

All along the way we are mindful of the ways that people learn and what methods of teaching and practice facilitate the most relevant and resonant experience.

Our work has made such an impact, that our founding contract was followed up in 2004 with a new five-year commitment to allow us to continue our innovative work.

Scroll though our site (http://ict.usc.edu/) and learn more about us and what we do. Meet our virtual human who helps develop cultural awareness by reading and reacting to trainees’ facial expressions and body language. See how we are developing and testing virtual exposure therapies to help people recover from injuries like posttraumatic stress disorder, and how our production prototypes are being used to hone leadership skills in students and soldiers alike.