Artificial Intelligence (AI)

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence — or AI — means using computers and machines to think, learn and solve problems in ways that once required human intelligence.

AI systems can recognize speech, understand images, make decisions and even improve their performance over time by learning from data.

There are two broad types of AI:

• Narrow AI: Focused systems that do one thing well — like recommending a movie, detecting fraud, or steering a self-driving car.

• General AI (AGI): A future goal — machines that can understand and reason across different fields, much like a human.

AI is already woven into everyday life — powering voice assistants, online search engines, smart cameras, medical scans and customer support chatbots.

AI is not about replacing people — it is about amplifying what humans can do.

AI Opportunities in South Carolina

South Carolina is positioned to lead in AI innovation, but reaching that potential will require greater investment in education, workforce skills, and applied research, along with a deeper understanding of how digital assets and blockchain technologies can provide trusted foundations for AI initiatives. By strengthening technical education, expanding reskilling programs, and supporting research that explores verifiable data, secure computation, and transparent governance, the state can build AI systems that are not only innovative but also trustworthy, accountable, and resilient.

SCETA has been actively involved in authoring and supporting executive orders and legislation that shape South Carolina’s approach to emerging technologies like crypto and AI. Recognizing the critical role of state leadership, SCETA works to ensure that policies protect citizens’ data and digital assets while aligning with federal regulations and national priorities. By fostering innovation in a secure and responsible manner, SCETA positions South Carolina as a hub for global intellectual leadership, driving advances in AI and blockchain that support economic growth, technological sovereignty, and national defense.

AI is transforming the world at a faster pace than any previous technology, reshaping industries, economies, and daily life in ways that are both unprecedented and complex. South Carolina has a unique opportunity to lead by understanding how AI interacts with other emerging technologies, such as blockchain, advanced manufacturing, and cybersecurity, creating integrated solutions that drive innovation responsibly. This ability to connect and apply multiple cutting-edge technologies is where the state excels, positioning it to set standards, attract talent, and develop initiatives that are not only technologically advanced but also ethically sound and globally competitive.

AI in South Carolina’s Industry

AI is already impacting key South Carolina sectors:

• Manufacturing: Predictive maintenance, robotics and production optimization.

• Energy: Smart grids, renewable forecasting and efficient power storage.

• Healthcare: AI-assisted diagnosis and personalized treatment plans.

• Logistics: Route optimization, supply chain forecasting, and warehouse automation.

• Agriculture: Drone imaging, soil analysis and automated harvesting.

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Everyday AI Applications

AI touches almost every industry today. Some familiar examples include:

• Chatbots and language models — like ChatGPT

• Art and design tools — such as DALL·E 2

• Autonomous vehicles and drones

• Search engines and voice assistants (Google, Siri, Alexa)

• Medical imaging and diagnostics

• Energy optimization systems

• Predictive analytics — from flight delays to customer behavior

Even journalism and marketing now rely on AI to analyze stories, suggest headlines and optimize content distribution.

The Challenges

With opportunity comes responsibility.

AI also raises issues around ethics, transparency, bias and misinformation — especially through deepfakes and manipulated media.

• Deepfakes can create realistic but false videos or audio.

• Nearly 9 in 10 Americans believe deepfakes can cause harm, yet less than half feel prepared to detect them.

• This makes AI literacy and education vital to protect public trust, especially during elections and in the media.

SCETA promotes awareness, education and responsible AI development — so technology builds trust, not fear.

In Summary

AI is changing the world faster than any previous technology — and South Carolina has the potential to be part of that change.

Through education, collaboration and smart policy, SCETA is helping make sure innovation in AI benefits people, businesses and communities across the state.

Learn. Build. Lead.

Join SCETA and help shape South Carolina’s role in the future of Artificial Intelligence. Contact Us →