Welcome to The Immersive Lens — the show where emerging tech meets creativity, education, and real-world impact. Hosted by Paul Engin (Professor of New Media) and Dave Ghidiu (Professor of Computer Science) at Finger Lakes Community College, this podcast dives into the technologies and creative innovations reshaping how we live, work, and learn—from AI and augmented reality to the future of media, design, and learning.

In this episode, Paul and Dave tackle the provocative question: Is "AI" a dirty word, or a double-edged sword?. Before diving into the tech, the duo dishes on local flavor, including a rave review of the student-run culinary experiences at Julia’s.

The conversation quickly heats up as the hosts break down the latest "frontier models" shaking up the industry. From @OpenAI's mind-blowing Sora 2 video model (complete with audio!) to the new @Canva integration that’s turning ChatGPT into a design powerhouse, they cover the tools you need to know.

But it’s not all productivity hacks. Paul and Dave explore the ethical gray areas of the creative world, including the rise of AI actress Tilly Norwood and the controversial trend of "vertical soap operas" taking over mobile screens. They also debate the "Student Turing Test" and introduce a new educational philosophy: "Co-create, don't abdicate".

Whether you’re a tech optimist or a skeptic, this episode offers a roadmap for using AI optimally rather than just responsibly. Plus, get a sneak peek at Dave’s upcoming "Vibe Coding" course (CSC 295) using @AnthropicAI's Claude.

🔥 Hot Topics Discussed:

• The AI Landscape: Comparing ChatGPT, @Microsoft Copilot, @Google Gemini, @Meta Llama, and @Adobe Firefly.

🔗 Links & Resources:

• Dinner at Julia’s: Make a reservation at the FLCC student-run restaurant: https://www.flcc.edu/restaurant/

• 100 Ways College Students Are Using ChatGPT: A recommended list of prompts to expand your learning (search via Google).

• Book Recommendation: The Empire of AI by Karen Hao (Discussing the environmental and labor cost of AI).

• FLCC New Media & Computing: Explore the degrees at https://www.flcc.edu/ and the FLX AI Hub at https://www.flcc.edu/ai/

🎧 Subscribe to The Immersive Lens to stay curious and connected!

#AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #Sora2 #VibeCoding #DigitalEthics #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends

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Recorded at Finger Lakes Community College in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region.

https://www.flcc.edu/

https://www.theimmersivelens.com/

Stay curious. Stay connected.

Thanks for looking through The Immersive Lens.