DXC AI lab pursues moonshot projects and workforce development
Artificial intelligence (AI) is often portrayed as technology that helps companies operate more efficiently by automating rote processes in warehouses, call centers or on the factory floor — usually at the expense of humans.
A limited perspective like that devalues the true promise of AI. In our view, AI’s highest purpose is to engender leaps in ability, not small steps. To make people better, not expendable. To improve the services we deliver to others. AI should free us to do work that’s more engaging and rewarding.
Industrialized AI at scale
However you look at it, though, creating breakthrough AI applications is hard. It’s one thing to build interesting lab demos. Many companies have done that. But putting AI to work in the enterprise is a different matter altogether. Industrializing AI means performing the hard work of integrating it with other applications and systems. Building it to scale. Ensuring it performs predictably and properly in a characteristically chaotic world.
Developed in conjunction with Drexel University, the DXC/Drexel Applied AI Studio pursues moonshot AI projects aimed at helping companies develop true breakthrough AI applications that can be applied at scale. Housed in in Drexel University’s College of Computing & Informatics (CCI) office space in Philadelphia, the new, 5,000-square-foot studio is a launching pad for the release of new IT services and solutions across the enterprise technology stack, and prominently features DXC’s applied research.
The current roster of customers and projects demonstrates the focus on practical, scalable AI applications that distinguishes the DXC/Drexel studio from other AI showcase labs:
- A championship motorsports organization exploring ways it can use AI to draw more insight and value from the data its race cars collect
- A food service company building programs to support healthy eating habits and lifestyles
- A leading European financial institution, seeking to embed AI-powered financial advice in consumer banking applications
In addition to new application development, the studio serves as a nexus of workforce transformation, helping to reskill DXC employees to meet the changing needs of the company’s customers in today’s fast-paced, digital economy. The studio helps students develop the necessary data and analytical skills to make more informed, data-driven decisions that benefit organizations and society.
Upon graduation, DXC will consider students for full-time positions at one of DXC’s six Digital Transformation Centers. Graduates will be prepared to lead large-scale integration projects, manage teams, develop digital solutions to business challenges, augment customers skills and capabilities, or co-develop solutions with DXC customers.