How the Army applies USC-developed AI in education

The USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT) is leveraging artificial intelligence in military education through the Artificial Intelligence Research Center of Excellence for Education, a two-year, $4.5 million initiative financed by Congress and led by researchers Benjamin Nye, Ning Wang, and Bill Swartout.

A project arising from this partnership is the Army Writing Enhancement (AWE) tool, which seeks to assist soldiers in enhancing their written expression without supplanting the essential function of human critical reasoning.

The tool merges AI capabilities into well-known platforms, like Google Docs and Microsoft  365, allowing for practical and accessible use within established workflows.

Instead of employing generative AI to compose essays, AWE utilizes it to guide soldiers in brainstorming their topics and cultivating ideas. The soldiers then independently write their essays, without machine aid. AWE subsequently evaluates completed drafts similarly to a reader, by questioning whether an essay presents a strong hook, solid evidence, and balanced viewpoints — prompting soldiers to engage critically while enhancing their communication.

“AWE corresponds with ICT’s broader philosophy of ‘human-AI collaboration,’ which employs artificial intelligence to enhance human skills instead of replacing them,” states Randall W. Hill Jr., vice dean of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and executive director of ICT. “Improving soldiers’ writing abilities fosters clearer communication, which is essential to operational success.”

ICT’s efforts draw on extensive research into how individuals acquire knowledge in complicated, high-stakes environments. Previous projects involving virtual humans, serious games, and interactive simulations have emphasized the necessity of intuitive and engaging educational tools. AWE embodies these concepts by providing immediate feedback aimed at fortifying critical thinking and writing capabilities.

Initial trials at Fort Leavenworth have produced promising outcomes; soldiers reported enhanced writing and analytical reasoning skills. These findings imply that AWE may have a lasting effect on users’ behaviors and communication practices.

ICT and the U.S. Army are in discussions to conduct a series of broader evaluations with soldiers to further examine AWE’s efficacy. “The Army Writing Enhancement tool illustrates ICT’s multidisciplinary approach,” Hill asserts. “It merges proficiency in computer science, psychology, education, and military operations to create technologies that address real-world demands.”