Podcast
The Immersive Lens
Hosted by Finger Lakes Community College · EN
The Immersive Lens features faculty experts from Finger Lakes Community College exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping learning and work. Each episode offers clear, practical conversations about new tools, apps, and ideas—cutting through the hype to highlight what actually matters for educators, professionals, and the curious alike.
34episodes
Episodes
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Episode 2: AI Bias
Jan 1900:43:59Tap to summarizeWelcome 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 humanReal-World Failures: Amazon's resume bot, Google's photo labeling, and the "Pink & Blue" gender biasThe Algorithmic Treadmill: How TikTok and social algorithms change language and cultureAI & Reputation: The "work slop" phenomenon and how AI might be devaluing human creativityMentions: @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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Is AI a Dirty word?
Jan 1200:46:52Tap to summarizeWelcome 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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The Immersive Lens Prologue
Jan 500:05:40Tap to summarizeWhat 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 aboutHow the FLX AI Hub supports businesses, educators, and communitiesThe intersection of new media, web development, and AIWho this podcast is for — and why staying current has never mattered moreWhether 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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The Immersive Lens Origin Story
Jan 500:26:38Tap to summarizeWelcome 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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