Adjunct Professor of John H. Mitchell Business of Entertainment Programs - Artificial Intelligence in Business of Cinematic Arts

TheJohn H. Mitchell Business of Entertainment Programis looking to hire an Adjunct Professor to teach a course about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on media, cinematic arts, and business sector of the entertainment industry.

This course explores the evolution of creativity, labor, and economics in the entertainment industry, tracing historical precedents in media and technology while looking ahead to the future of storytelling and production. Students will investigate how new tools-AI, virtual production, computational capture, and beyond-are re-architecting workflows, redefining professional roles, and prompting shifts in financing, distribution, and audience engagement.

The course will cover the following topics:

• Introduction and the History of AI
• Creativity and AI Augmentation
• Evolution of Production
• AI Tools and AI Workflows
• New Formats and New Categories of Production (AI)
• Changing Content Business Models
• Changing Content Creation Infrastructure
• How businesses (studios, talent agencies, production companies, and creators) will monetize AI to their benefit
• AI Industry Regulation
• Introduction to Worldbuilding with AI Tools
• Interpreting AI through a Critical Lens
• The Future of AI
• The ethical safeguards needed to protect humans and develop AI technology
• Help students to develop informed opinions on the integration of AI into entertainment, with a knowledgebase of how AI works

Candidates will need to demonstrate expertise in teaching how AI will be implemented in business settings and how the entertainment industry will change. A working knowledge of AI technology is strongly preferred and the optimal candidate will be able to translate complex ideas into relatable course content suitable for a survey level course.

Candidates will also need to demonstrate proficiency in completing course administration, including interfacing with high profile guest speakers, technical/projection needs, navigating Brightspace (learning module system), course attendance, and other course administrative duties. Candidate will also grade papers and input grades.

Candidates will be able demonstrate proficiency in:

• Public speaking in classroom, learning settings
• Course administration of a collegiate-level class
• Grading papers and inputting grades into university grading & roster system
• Navigating USC online systems, including Brightspace, USC email, Workday
• Previous assistant to professor or supervisor in the entertainment industry
• Basic technical knowledge of USC theater-classrooms and willingness to troubleshoot to resolve technical difficulties that may occur during lecture
• Delicate handling of high-profile VIP speakers who speak in class

This is an elective course, open to all currently enrolled USC undergraduate and graduate students, with an expected enrollment of 30.

Minimum Education:

*Bachelor's Degree

Minimum Experience:

*Experience teaching or mentoring students in media & entertainment-focused courses

*3+ years job experience in higher education and/or AI and entertainment fields

*Good communication skills, project planning, and professional rigor and ethics

Preferred Education:

*Master's Degree, or PhD, or equivalent industry experience.

Preferred Experience:

*5+ years experience teaching or mentoring students in media & entertainment-focused courses

*5+ years working with Artificial Intelligence in a professional capacity

*Experience teaching graduate and undergraduate classes in media, AI, technology, or cinema

Compensation:

The coresalaryrangefor this position is $30 - $45 per hour. This is an adjunct 25% FTE position.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's workexperience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity,federal, state and local laws, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC reserves the "Adjunct" appointment for faculty teaching less than full-time at USC, who are employed full-time in a primary profession or career elsewhere. Adjunct faculty typically teach only one course per year but, in exceptional cases, may teach one course per semester, if approved by the dean.