CAIS++ is the student branch of the USC Center for AI in Society (CAIS), where undergraduates work on innovative projects to develop AI applications for social good.
Jessica Fu, CAIS++ Co-President
Let’s meet CAIS++ 2024 Co-President Jessica Fu. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Jessica is a junior majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Internet of Things Engineering. Jessica’s interest in technology began in high school when she started coding to create games. Over time, her curiosity grew beyond gaming, leading her to pursue computer science at USC. When she joined CAIS++ during her freshman year, she had little experience in AI, but the club’s welcoming environment and resources ignited her passion for the field. “CAIS++ provided me with the foundational knowledge I needed, and it was through the club that my passion for artificial intelligence truly took off,” Jessica shared.
As co-president, Jessica works closely with her co-president, Raja Somou, to shape the vision of CAIS++. Outside of her leadership role, Jessica brings creativity to her work by blending her interest in art with her approach to technology.
It’s time to get to know more about Jessica Fu!
What are some of your responsibilities as the co-president of CAIS++?
As co-presidents of CAIS++, the definition of our roles changes depending on the club’s needs, but ultimately we aim to shape the future of CAIS++ through our shared vision. Whether it’s leading meetings with stakeholders or pushing new student-driven research projects and curriculum, we take a multi-faceted approach to ensure all of our members, new and old, can make meaningful impact in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
What does a typical day look like for you?
For me, a typical day involves a few things: classes, routine tasks, and of course CAIS++! I usually plan my schedule out beforehand using Google calendar, so I don’t have to spend too much time thinking about what I need to do in the moment.
What excites you the most about the intersection of AI and social work?
The way AI has advanced over the past decade has been exponentially quick, but such advancements have opened many new opportunities to apply AI to social work. I feel like a lot of times, media focuses on the negative or fear mongering aspects of AI, but with CAIS++ and graduate CAIS’s work at the intersection of AI and social work, it really demonstrates how AI is really just a tool, and as people we can determine how we use it to help improve society.
Do you find that your hobbies and personal interests influence your approach to your work in AI and software development?
Outside of AI and software development, I’m really into art. Although art and technology don’t seem to be very closely related, I believe that these two domains both require creativity. Being able to think outside the box, to push assumptions, and to question what is given really has influenced me in both my art and my approach to work.
Jessica Fu Presenting Research
Have you learned anything new since you joined CAIS++?
CAIS++ has taught me so much about AI and research. Back when I joined in freshman year, I had no prior experience in AI, and only basic coding experience. CAIS++ is truly a place where passionate people flourish, and I learned so much through the curriculum and being proactive about my learning and understanding. Through projects I’ve gotten to deepen my experience and understanding in specific domains, like natural language processing and computer vision. In addition to the technical knowledge, I feel like CAIS++ really fosters grounded discussions and conversations regarding AI and its impact. A lot of the organization’s focus is indeed the intersection of AI and social good, but I’ve also had really good conversations about ethics, policy, and more. It’s great because everyone is so excited about AI and technology, so it feels like there’s always interesting conversations that come up.
What would you like for someone who is interested in joining CAIS++ to know about?
I think what really makes CAIS++ great is the people. At the end of the day, with enough motivation, anyone can really learn AI, or get involved with research in similar spaces. However, they’ll miss out on the community that CAIS++ offers. Although we’re united by our shared interests in AI and social good, CAIS++ members come from a variety of backgrounds and have different skill sets and perspectives. These perspectives influence our approach to problem solving and working with AI and each other. If you’re excited about AI (regardless of experience level), and want to be part of a meaningful community, come join CAIS++!
