Episodes

  • Episode 6: Whacha ya wearin?
    Feb 16 2026
    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 of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul and Dave tackle …Topics Covered:Google StitchYouTube PremiumSupergirl TrailerThe Hero's Journey -Joseph CampbellAccessibility - I'm not RemarkableApple WatchCasio World TimeBook: Natural Born CyborgMeta GlassesGoogle AuraRabbit OS2Cicret BraceletIn this episode of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul Engin and Dave Ghidiu discuss emerging technologies and creative media tools before shifting to their main topic. They review "Google Stitch," a new AI tool that allows designers to reimagine websites and export the code, as well as new visual editing features within Google Gemini. The hosts also touch on YouTube Premium's new A/B testing features for thumbnails and titles, share their reactions to the latest Superman and Supergirl trailers, and praise Apple’s emotional new commercial regarding accessibility.The central discussion focuses on the evolution and utility of wearable technology, ranging from smartwatches to future concepts like smart glasses. Paul advocates for the Apple Watch Ultra, citing benefits like battery life, sleep tracking, and health anomaly detection, while Dave expresses hesitation due to privacy concerns and a dislike for constant notifications. The conversation expands to cover smart rings, clothing, and the potential for augmented reality glasses to eventually replace smartphones. They conclude with a buyer’s guide, suggesting users consider factors such as battery life, ecosystem compatibility, and specific health tracking needs when choosing a device.🔗 Links & Resources:FLX AI Hub: https://www.flcc.edu/ai/FLCC New Media: https://newmedia.csc.flcc.cloud/🎧 Subscribe to The Immersive Lens to stay curious and connected!#AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #Sora2 #VibeCoding #DigitalEthics #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #TechHistory #UXDesign #WebDevelopment #ProjectIceberg #FutureOfWork #ScreenTime #FoldablePhones #VisionPro #TheImmersiveLens #EdTech✅ Subscribe so you never miss an episode—and share with a friend who loves tech, creativity, or the future of education.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.
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    39 mins
  • Episode 5: AI Production - Creation of a Holiday Video
    Feb 9 2026
    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 of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul Engin and Dave Ghidiu discuss the escalating competition in the AI sector, specifically OpenAI's "Code Red" response to the dominance of Google’s Gemini 3 model. They detail OpenAI's development of a new model, code-named "Camed Garlic," which reportedly relies on user feedback telemetry rather than professional evaluations to regain ground. They also highlight significant industry milestones, such as the announcement that the AI short "Critters" will become the first feature-length AI film next year, and the release of Meta's Hyperscape Capture, which allows users to create digital twins of physical spaces using Quest 3 headsets.They go on a deep dive with engineer Jeff Kidd into the creation of an AI-generated holiday greeting for Finger Lakes Community College, a project that required between 30 and 40 hours of work rather than a simple "prompt and done" solution. The team utilized a complex "tech stack" including Google’s Nano Banana for generating character sheets, Google Flow for animation, ElevenLabs for audio isolation, and traditional tools like Photoshop and After Effects for "blue screening" characters into scenes. Ultimately, the hosts conclude that while AI provides animation efficiencies, producing professional-quality work still requires significant human intervention and traditional production skills to resolve issues like character consistency and lip-syncing.Topics Covered:—-- Add and remove below just a reference Dave Ghidiu delete this—--Project Iceberg: MIT’s interactive tool mapping AI exposure and job market disruptionScreen Evolution: From 4:3 CRTs to 16:9 HD and the new age of FoldablesDesigning for Devices: The struggle of creating content that works on a watch, a phone, and a desktopThe "Fold" is Dead: How scrolling culture has changed web design and user engagementImmersive Tech: Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and the future of "infinite" screen real estateMentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @Google🔗 Links & Resources:OpenAI Declares ‘Code Red’ as Google Threatens AI Lead匚尺丨ㄒㄒ乇尺乙 -- An animated short created with AIMeta Horizon Hyperscape Capture (Beta)Finger Lakes Community College Holiday Card 2025Google Gemini (Nano Banana, Veo3)FlowElevenLabsRankin-Bass RudolphFLX AI Hub blog post - behind the scenes—-- Update above Dave Ghidiu delete this—--FLCC Holiday video: https://youtu.be/HDEq6fLejOA?si=dzMW4puOt0USVmVAFLX AI Hub: https://www.flcc.edu/ai/FLCC New Media: https://newmedia.csc.flcc.cloud/🎧 Subscribe to The Immersive Lens to stay curious and connected!#AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #Sora2 #VibeCoding #DigitalEthics #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #TechHistory #UXDesign #WebDevelopment #ProjectIceberg #FutureOfWork #ScreenTime #FoldablePhones #VisionPro #TheImmersiveLens #EdTech✅ Subscribe so you never miss an episode—and share with a friend who loves tech, creativity, or the future of education.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.
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    42 mins
  • Episode 4: Does Size Matter?
    Feb 2 2026

    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 of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul and Dave tackle a question as old as the smartphone itself: Does screen size matter? From the bulky CRT TVs of the 90s to the sleek, foldable phones and immersive Vision Pro headsets of today, Paul and Dave explore how the evolution of screen real estate has fundamentally shifted how we consume media and develop content.

    They discuss the challenges developers face when designing for an ecosystem that now includes everything from smartwatches to ultra-wide monitors, and how user behavior changes based on the device in hand.

    But first, Dave drops a bombshell about "Project Iceberg"—an interactive data visualization tool from MIT that maps job markets and AI exposure risk down to the zip code. Is your career safe from automation? Dave and Paul break down the data.

    Topics Covered:

    • Project Iceberg: MIT’s interactive tool mapping AI exposure and job market disruption

    • Screen Evolution: From 4:3 CRTs to 16:9 HD and the new age of Foldables

    • Designing for Devices: The struggle of creating content that works on a watch, a phone, and a desktop

    • The "Fold" is Dead: How scrolling culture has changed web design and user engagement

    • Immersive Tech: Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and the future of "infinite" screen real estate

    Mentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @Google

    🔗 Links & Resources:

    Project Icebergs: https://iceberg.mit.edu/

    Quest 3: https://www.meta.com/quest/quest-3/

    Vision Pro: https://www.apple.com/apple-vision-pro/

    a-ha - Take On Me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djV11Xbc914

    FLX AI Hub: https://www.flcc.edu/ai/

    FLCC New Media: https://newmedia.csc.flcc.cloud/

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

    #AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #Sora2 #VibeCoding #DigitalEthics #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #TechHistory #UXDesign #WebDevelopment #ProjectIceberg #FutureOfWork #ScreenTime #FoldablePhones #VisionPro #TheImmersiveLens #EdTech

    Subscribe so you never miss an episode—and share with a friend who loves tech, creativity, or the future of education.

    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.



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    41 mins
  • Episode 3: Low Barrier Tools
    Jan 26 2026

    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.

    Are you ready to create professional-grade content without the Hollywood budget or a high-end PC? In this episode of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul and Dave tear down the barriers to creativity! They explore the explosive rise of "Low-Barrier Media Development Tools"—web-based powerhouses like @AdobeExpress, @Canva, and the game-changing @GoogleWorkspace Vids.

    Discover how these platforms are democratizing design, allowing anyone with a Chromebook or a smartphone to build stunning infographics, motion graphics, and collaborative video projects in minutes. Paul and Dave break down how AI integration is stripping away the steep learning curve of legacy software, turning students and educators into instant content creators.

    Plus, the duo geeks out over the sudden drop of Google’s Gemini 3, the uncanny realism of AI actor Tilly Norwood, and what the future holds for digital storytelling.

    Topics Covered:

    • Democratizing Design: Why you don't need a "Pro" device to create pro content

    • Google Vids: Editing video as easily as a slide deck

    • The Big Three: Deep dives into Adobe Express, Canva, and creative collaboration

    • AI Update: The shock release of Gemini 3 and the new era of AI actors

    Mentions: @AdobeExpress @Canva @GoogleWorkspace @HistoryChannel @OpenAI

    🔗 Links & Resources:

    Adobe Express: https://express.adobe.com/

    Canva: https://express.adobe.com/

    Google Vids: https://workspace.google.com/products/vids/

    Tilly: https://www.tillynorwood.com/

    FLX AI Hub: https://www.flcc.edu/ai/

    FLCC New Media: https://newmedia.csc.flcc.cloud/

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

    #AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #Sora2 #VibeCoding #DigitalEthics #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #ContentCreation #EdTech #CreatorEconomy #GoogleVids #AdobeExpress #CanvaLove #DesignForEveryone #TheImmersiveLens #Gemini3 #FutureOfLearning

    Subscribe so you never miss an episode—and share with a friend who loves tech, creativity, or the future of education.

    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.



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    33 mins
  • Episode 2: AI Bias
    Jan 19 2026

    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 of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul and Dave tackle the critical and complex issue of AI Bias. From training data that inadvertently stereotypes gender and race to algorithms that filter resumes unfairly, Paul and Dave explore how "machine learning" is often just "human mirroring."

    They break down the different types of bias—including training, results, and intentional bias—and discuss real-world examples from major tech companies like Amazon and Google. The duo also introduces the concept of the "Algorithmic Bias Treadmill," explaining how social media platforms and AI models can create self-reinforcing loops that alter language and culture.

    Finally, Dave shares a fascinating (and slightly concerning) report about "AI work slop" and how AI-generated content might be affecting professional reputations. It’s an eye-opening look at the ethical challenges we face as we integrate AI deeper into our daily lives.

    Topics Covered:

    • Types of AI Bias: Training, results, intentional, and human

    • Real-World Failures: Amazon's resume bot, Google's photo labeling, and the "Pink & Blue" gender bias

    • The Algorithmic Treadmill: How TikTok and social algorithms change language and culture

    • AI & Reputation: The "work slop" phenomenon and how AI might be devaluing human creativity

    Mentions: @Amazon @Google @TikTok @IBM @Microsoft @OpenAI @Twitter @TheVerge

    🔗 Links & Resources:

    FLX AI Hub: https://www.flcc.edu/ai/

    FLCC New Media: https://newmedia.csc.flcc.cloud/

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

    #AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #Sora2 #VibeCoding #DigitalEthics #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #AIEthics #AlgorithmicBias #MachineLearning #TechEthics #TheImmersiveLens #HigherEd #DigitalCitizenship #FutureOfWork

    Subscribe so you never miss an episode—and share with a friend who loves tech, creativity, or the future of education.

    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.


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    44 mins
  • Is AI a Dirty word?
    Jan 12 2026

    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

    Subscribe so you never miss an episode—and share with a friend who loves tech, creativity, or the future of education.

    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.



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    47 mins
  • The Immersive Lens Prologue
    Jan 5 2026

    What happens when emerging technology meets creativity, education, and real-world impact? You get The Immersive Lens — a podcast exploring the tools, ideas, and innovations shaping how we live, work, and learn.

    Hosted by Paul Engin, Professor of New Media, and Dave Ghidiu, Assistant Professor of Computing Sciences at Finger Lakes Community College, this show takes listeners behind the scenes of cutting-edge tech. From AI and virtual worlds to digital design, media, and education, we break down complex topics and connect them to practical, human-centered applications.

    In this episode, meet the hosts and discover:

    • What The Immersive Lens is all about

    • How the FLX AI Hub supports businesses, educators, and communities

    • The intersection of new media, web development, and AI

    • Who this podcast is for — and why staying current has never mattered more

    Whether you’re an educator, student, creative professional, technologist, or simply curious about the future, The Immersive Lens offers thoughtful conversations that make fast-moving technology approachable and meaningful.

    🎧 Subscribe, share, and join us as we explore the tech shaping education, work, and the world around us.

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

    Stay curious. Stay connected.

    Thanks for looking through The Immersive Lens.



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    6 mins
  • The Immersive Lens Origin Story
    Jan 5 2026

    Welcome to The Immersive Lens — the show where emerging tech meets creativity, education, and real-world impact. Hosted by Paul Engan (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, you’ll go behind the mic with Paul and Dave as they share their origin stories—from programming on an Apple IIe, building a 386 from scratch, discovering computer animation in the “Matrix” era, and working with early 3D tools that paved the way for modern storytelling. They also talk about what drives the podcast: helping people navigate today’s rapid-fire tech landscape with clarity, curiosity, and practicality.

    You’ll also hear about FLCC’s collaborative Capstone experience—where students from web/mobile, game programming, design, communications, and new media pitch projects, build real solutions, and learn the soft skills that make tech matter.

    If you’re into innovation without hype, hands-on learning, creative tech, and honest conversations about what’s worth paying attention to, you’re in the right place.

    Subscribe so you never miss an episode—and share with a friend who loves tech, creativity, or the future of education.

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

    Stay curious. Stay connected.

    Thanks for looking through The Immersive Lens.



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    27 mins