Priya Loran Speaks on the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, Life in SoCal and Looking Ahead to the Future
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Priya Loran is an American computer scientist from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She's currently a student at the University of Southern California (USC), in which Loran is in the birth cohort of AI for business (BUAI). Loran is the founder of the Marshall AI Association (MAIA) and is currently an AL/ML intern at Microsoft. Loran additionally worked as an ambassador at Forté Foundation (2024), in marketing at Wanderboat.ai (2024), a brand representative for RPN Factory from 2022 to 2023 and the owner of Sokan Streetwear from 2021 to 2023.
Director Tyreese Smith caught up with Loran in an interview on the advancement of Artificial Intelligence, higher education, life in SoCal and looking ahead to the future.
Hi Priya. Welcome back to the show as it’s been a few years. How’s everything going?
"Hey Reese! I’m excited to be back. I feel like I’ve grown and my life has changed tremendously since the last time we spoke and I can’t wait to share everything."
To my knowledge, you’re now in your junior year at the University of Southern California. The actual USC. Anyways, how’s your experience been so far?
"First, I respect you for the clarification. University of Southern California owns the name rights. Currently I am in the birth cohort of AI for business at USC. It’s a dual-degree program in which we will be graduating with a business and engineering degree. The niche major was a huge reason for coming here along with the incentive of a familiar face with my brother, Noah. I love my school. It has brought me so many opportunities where I’ve been able to found a Marshall club (MAIA: Marshall AI Association), build a professional and influencer network, and gain a Big Tech internship following my sophomore summer at Microsoft. This school has allowed me to experiment with creative expressionism as I build AI projects on the side. I would love to have my own company one day in the tech space."
Having experience on both ends of the country, how would you compare the east coast vs west coast?
"My loyalties will always be on the East side. The erudite, hustler culture on the East coast has built my very backbone, and that will always be home. However, I’ve juggled with the idea of living out here on the West Coast mainly because of the people I’ve met. Building my tech career is also more viable out here, following my degree, and being close to Silicon Valley, tech CEO’s and startups."
Going through this new phase of tech, you have been ahead of the curve at such a young age. Navigating the digital world, different periods with roles in AI, while still balancing coursework to a professional manner. Why did you choose this life for yourself?
“Honestly, this life kind of chose me. I came into USC as an economics major, and luckily stumbled upon someone I now consider a life-long at an AI seminar my freshman year. She introduced me to the director of BUAI, and my life took off from there. Imposter syndrome is real. I struggled and continued to vanity, telling myself, ‘You are not doing or being enough.’ However, what I’ve noticed is that the world will always be changing faster than we can change ourselves. Having versatility and being graceful in understanding what I can achieve is important, while I figure out who I want to be. My experience at Microsoft gave me the opportunity to experiment with different technological instruments such as cloud computing, time series machine learning modeling, and pipeline development. While I found out a lot about what I did enjoy, I also discovered areas which did not excite me about tech. This is one of the most important things I’ve learned from school and early career that you will probably go through 100 dead-ends, before you find the golden path.”
Working through artificial intelligence tools, there’s been a rise of programs to public use. You know the functionality and array of programs to this point. We also understand the good and bad it has brought out of people, i.e. people dating their AI. Can you breakdown the use of artificial intelligence to us?
"AI’s good and bad is up to the eyes of the beholder when it truly comes down to it. With any technology, you can use it in a positive and negative light. It becomes easy to scrutinize because people feel they are ‘transfering control’. Human judgement however is something AI can never replace. It is one of our greatest powers when we believe our jobs, lives, and ideas are ‘under threat’, so remember that. I’ve used AI in so many ways from Dall-E image generation for marketing tools in my personal projects to XGBoost machine learning models at Microsoft. If I had any advice to avid AI users it would be to use AI to amplify what you already have a competitive advantage in instead of trying to use it to start something from scratch. That’s what everyone is trying to do."
A lot to be thankful for at this point in life. You’ve sacrificed a ‘normal’ college life and time away from family 2,000 miles away to become the best version of yourself the last two years. What has been the driving force leading to your success?
"The driving force behind taking a chance on myself to come out here to LA has been something a little more intangible. Such as a little image in the upper left corner of my brain. Every night I used to create a picture of my ‘dream future’, which would change slightly here and there but always be there none the less. Everything I do gets me closer and closer to this image. I am a very self-reflective person. I encourage others to go on ‘personal dates’ and be comfortable with being alone just to think. Turning intangible objectives, or dreams into forms that are a little more tangible makes them more real and easier to strive toward. I do what I do because one day I truly want to change the world."
Speaking of Big Tech, we are now in times where technology has dictated a lot of what we consume. Between social media, entertainment and connectivity, tech has driven our world to where you either adapt, or get left behind. As toxic as that could sound. What is your opinion on the digital age?
"I think the digital age is 80% untapped. We have all of this technology but what we are missing are people that understand its use cases and potential. You know that biology saying, ‘Survival of the Fittest’? Where species with the most favorable traits re-generate, and succeed the most. Gen-Z is lucky because I believe adaptation is basically a built-in biological trait. We are the first generation that has grown up with technology ‘thrown’ in our faces since we were babies. Technology can be used to better the lives of so many groups with the developing world, the physically incapable, those with ‘creator’s block’ and more. In my perspective it is those who jump on these problems and find a business solution first that will succeed."
Which movies or television shows would you say shape your personality?
"The Social Network comes to mind because it’s about taking risks, building something from scratch, and pushing boundaries in tech. Even though I want to take a healthier and more collaborative approach than what’s shown in the film. Hidden Figures also resonates with me deeply. It’s about breaking into STEM fields and the importance of intellect and representation."
What are the most important lessons you have learned to this point in life?
"Your network is your net worth. I couldn’t have gotten this far if it weren’t for the people I’ve met. You can either experience the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. I used to find myself always saying, ‘if only I had started on this a year ago’, so I’ve started to not delay my ideas. Progress is addicting. One of my biggest motivators is achievement so making small accomplishments will lead me to my greatest ones. Don’t compare yourself with other people. When comparing myself to others I tend to focus on what I lack rather than what I provide. Even if you aim high don’t forget that you may already be living your dream. If I saw what I was doing now as my younger self, I would be so proud, so I’m confused when I find it hard to be proud of myself in the present. Taking the time to acknowledge your worth is so important. There is nothing so stable as change. Change is inevitable and is something I had to grasp."
Who have been the biggest influences in helping Priya Loran get to where she is?
"Definitely my family. We are all super competitive and strive to be very successful. This has applied a healthy sense of pressure, while also providing a sense of stability to fall back on when things get tough. Therefore when it comes to potential of opportunity, I never want to take advantage of the environment my parents have built for me to be my most successful self."
It’s no secret that post-grad life is not for the faint of heart. Networking, meritocracy and professionalism. The current job market has been a challenge as you have to be sharp through different elements to be noticed, into the door and to keep afloat for any company. Luckily for you, there are opportunities in the industry. While in your career field, though, how will you navigate life after USC?
"Recruiting season is always the most stressful time of the year. I’ve always questioned why we succumb ourselves to seven rounds of interviews to convince someone we’ve never met that we are qualified, conduct hours of technical prep on top of the CS homework we are already completing for class, and fight like war for jobs that we may not entirely enjoy anyway. I know this sounds a little pessimistic, but it is objectively the truth of the process. To what? Prove the 100K tuition was worth the blood, sweat, and tears? I would rather take a chance on myself, try to start something that is meaningful for people’s lives, fail, grow, lose money, make money, and eventually win the life I’ve always wanted based on my own merit. Therefore, I play with the idea of ‘being my own boss’ once the undergrad chains are off."
Close to wrapping this up, but let’s think through this question. What do you see yourself accomplishing in the next five years? How do you visualize yourself?
"I would really love to build a routine in which all facets of my life are fulfilled. Socially, personally, financially and intellectually. I would love to start my own AI company, which allows me to travel, meet people from all walks of life, and allows the flexibility of me to take care of my own physical well-being. I’ve toyed with the idea of an AI sportscasting business, which connects two fields I am very passionate about in athletics and AI. This past summer put a lot of perspective on doing something that I enjoy waking up to everyday. So understanding where I want to be in the next five years is still in the works as I navigate this very complex time in my life."
Thank you Priya for taking the time to talk to me once again. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation for people? Any last words?
"People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who actually do. Most of life is pure perspective and the game of life is tailoring that perspective to a way in which you can accomplish greatness. Believe in yourself and you will. Thank you for having me again!"
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