The Immersive Lens

Finger Lakes Community College

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Education
Updated Weekly

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.

23h ago

Episode 22: 2nd Annual AI Conference

Stuff

56 min
Jun 1

Episode 21: AI Challenge Part 2

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. The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has democratized software creation, introducing the world to "vibe coding"—the conceptual approach of leveraging large language models to construct operational programs through natural language prompting alone. This breakthrough means foundational technical constraints are dropping precipitously, letting non-programmers turn creative ideas into standalone digital reality overnight. In this high-stakes episode, the team circles back to review their individual achievements and technical frustrations after attempting three tiered challenges: crafting an interactive game, managing dynamic file handling, and mastering spatial hardware programming. Throughout the discussion, the team's distinct perspectives come to light. Guest Jen Carney shares her journey from utilizing standard text-based AI assistance to developing highly engaging logic apps, noting both the sheer speed of development and the occasional math counting quirks encountered with Google Gemini. Video engineer Jeff Kidd opens up about his shift from procedural skepticism to outright fascination after watching the AI build an interactive Editing Decision Trainer completely from scratch. Meanwhile, Paul Engin reveals his trials in navigating spatial design architecture using the Galaxy XR and Apple Vision Pro, highlighting where the boundaries of web-based spatial interaction currently stand. Ultimately, Dave and the team deliver an optimistic verdict: despite a few limitations with secondary file links and platform limitations, AI-driven programming expands creative potential, redefining how educators and enthusiasts can design custom digital media. 2nd Annual Community Convening at FLCC https://www.flcc.edu/events/all-events/2026/june/flx-ai-hub-community-convening.php Vibe Coding Challengehttps://www.theimmersivelens.com/p/vibe-coding-challenge.html Zorkhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Entertainment King's Questhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King%27s_Quest Sierra (makers of King's Quest games)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Entertainment CSC 145 - AI-Partnered App Creationhttps://www.flcc.edu/courses/csc-145/ Mentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @Google 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! #SpatialComputing #XRDevelopment #VibeCoding #TechPodcast #HumanAICollaboration #FutureOfCoding #SoftwareDemocratization #DigitalMediaDesign #InnovativeTeaching #ComputerScienceTrends #AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #TechHistory #TheImmersiveLens #CommittingAI #TechEthics #DigitalClone #ValKilmer #VisionPro #AppleVisionPro #CursorAI #AIFails #PromptEngineering #CreativeTech ✅ 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.

1h 12m
May 25

Episode 20: Committing AI

In this episode of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul and Dave tackle when it is (and is not) appropriate to use AI. In this episode of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul Engin and Dave Ghidiu explore the fascinating (and sometimes chaotic) realities of integrating artificial intelligence into our daily workflows and creative endeavors. The conversation centers around the concept of "committing AI," moving past the initial novelty to examine the practical, ethical, and unexpected consequences of relying on generative tools. Whether discussing an AI coding assistant that took a prompt a little too literally or tracking the latest breakthroughs in image generation, the episode highlights the shift from experimental tech to an unavoidable cultural and professional standard. With their signature blend of humor and tech-literate insight, Paul and Dave unpack a variety of real-world case studies, including the use of Apple’s Vision Pro in surgical environments and the tells of AI-generated writing. They balance the undeniable efficiency of these tools against the critical need for human oversight, proper boundaries, and clear institutional policies. Ultimately, the hosts land on a verdict of cautious optimism: while AI is fundamentally reshaping industries like education and media, success relies entirely on viewing it as a collaborative thought partner rather than an automated replacement for human creativity and critical thinking. Gone in 9 Secondshttps://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/artificial-intelligence/claude-powered-ai-coding-agent-deletes-entire-company-database-in-9-seconds-backups-zapped-after-cursor-tool-powered-by-anthropics-claude-goes-rogue Val Kilmer Resurrected by AI to Star in ‘As Deep as the Grave’ Moviehttps://variety.com/2026/film/news/val-kilmer-ai-film-as-deep-as-the-grave-1236691042/ Introducing ChatGPT Images 2.0https://openai.com/index/introducing-chatgpt-images-2-0/ ‘Safer, smarter, and more connected’: Apple’s Vision Pro used in world-first VR-assisted surgery, and it could be the future of medicinehttps://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/safer-smarter-and-more-connected-apples-vision-pro-used-in-world-first-vr-assisted-surgery-and-it-could-be-the-future-of-medicine Wikipedia:Signs of AI writinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Signs_of_AI_writing Burstiness & Perplexity | Definition & Exampleshttps://quillbot.com/blog/ai-writing-tools/burstiness-and-perplexity/ AI Detectors Don’t Work. Here’s What to Do Instead.https://mitsloanedtech.mit.edu/ai/teach/ai-detectors-dont-work/ AI Engagement Guidehttps://www.flcc.ai/tools/ai-engagement-guide.html The Opposite of Cheatinghttps://www.amazon.com/Opposite-Cheating-Teaching-Engaging-Thriving/dp/0806194960/ AI can't write your college admissions essay. Here's why.https://mashable.com/article/ai-college-admissions-essayAI-Generated “Workslop” Is Destroying Productivityhttps://hbr.org/2025/09/ai-generated-workslop-is-destroying-productivity Blue books make an "out of step" campus comeback in the AI erahttps://www.axios.com/2026/03/14/ai-blue-books-colleges-jobs A college instructor turns to typewriters to curb AI-written work and teach life lessonshttps://apnews.com/article/typewriter-ai-cheating-chatgpt-cornell-ce10e1ca0f10c96f79b7d988bb56448b The IBM Selectrichttps://www.ibm.com/history/selectric The Use of Emojis to Increase Clarity in Internal Communication Among Neurodiverse and Multicultural Employeeshttps://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/887013 Mentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @Google FLX AI Hub: https://www.flcc.edu/ai/ FLCC New Media: https://newmedia.csc.flcc.cloud/ ✅ 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.

39 min
May 23

Episode 19: ViveCode Challenge & Unboxing

In this episode of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul and Dave chat with Jenn Carney about AI and education. Then Dave throws down a Vibe Code Challenge. Lastly, Jeff, Pauln The episode kicks off with a critical look at the current state of artificial intelligence in education and media, specifically examining why highly hyped tools like OpenAI's Sora and Khan Academy's Khanmigo are struggling to maintain traction. The hosts and guest Jenn Carney, a biology professor, discuss how these setbacks highlight a crucial missing ingredient in educational tech: genuine human connection and engagement. As AI continues to evolve, understanding what drives actual student interaction is more vital than ever for educators and developers alike. Transitioning from theory to practice, Dave issues a multi-tiered "vibe coding" challenge to Paul, Jenn, and producer Jeff, pushing them to use AI models to build functional web applications without writing traditional code. The episode culminates in an exciting unboxing of the new Galaxy XR headset, an $1,800 mixed-reality collaboration between Google and Samsung. Ultimately, the team demonstrates that whether you are coding by vibes or exploring spatial computing, the future of emerging tech relies heavily on lowering barriers to entry for everyday users. What to know about the Sora discontinuationhttps://help.openai.com/en/articles/20001152-what-to-know-about-the-sora-discontinuation The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI reach landmark agreement to bring beloved characters from across Disney’s brands to Sorahttps://openai.com/index/disney-sora-agreement/ Khan Academy’s founder says AI tutoring revolution hasn't come for education, yethttps://www.boston25news.com/news/khan-academyrsquos/2UFWOVJK2AZLRJFD5YZVO36IPQ/ AACC Conferencehttps://www.campusworksinc.com/american-association-of-community-colleges-aacc/ The Gum Wallhttps://www.pikeplacemarket.org/vendor/the-gum-wall/ The Crumpet Shophttps://thecrumpetshop.com/ AACC Presentation - Innovationhttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fbrCJzqqzfny5oopOKfJRwJwqfnmr--m1w3QARkcJmw/ AACC Presentation - AI Challengehttps://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tUUAmdbrc1F5f1gpOXcuXxP3WJAVm5k4YVQnJ6zkKQQ/ The AI Challengehttps://www.theimmersivelens.com/p/vibe-coding-challenge.html Mark Zuckerberg is building an AI clone of himself. Most people just need help with their inboxhttps://fortune.com/2026/04/28/technology-ai-agents-three-person-unicorns-zuckerberg-clone-future-of-work/ Samsung Galaxy XR Headsethttps://www.samsung.com/us/xr/galaxy-xr/galaxy-xr/ Google's XR Gemini Extension Lets You "Vibe Code" WebXR Experiences In Secondshttps://www.uploadvr.com/google-vibe-coding-xr-gemini-extension-webxr/ WebXRhttps://immersiveweb.dev/ Mentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @Google 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! #ImmersiveLens #VibeCoding #GalaxyXR #AIinEducation #EdTech #MixedReality #SpatialComputing #NoCode #TechPodcast #FutureOfLearning #AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #Sora2 #VibeCoding #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #TechHistory #UXDesign #WebDevelopment #XR #extrendedReality ✅ 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.

53 min
May 11

Episode 18: The Educators Journey

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 talk with Paige LaBarr about education, AI, and emerging tech. As AI transitions from a novelty to an everyday utility, the conversation shifts from what the technology is to how it seamlessly integrates into our workflows and classrooms. In this episode of The Immersive Lens, the focus is squarely on practical AI adoption and the idea that this technology lowers the floor for entry while raising the ceiling for innovation. From streamlining lesson planning and auto-editing video disfluencies to analyzing massive spreadsheets in seconds, practical AI is changing how professionals and students tackle daily challenges, making specialized knowledge more accessible than ever before. Joined by FLCC Assistant Professor Paige LaBarr, the trio concludes that mastering AI isn't about replacing human expertise, but rather augmenting it. The ultimate verdict is that curiosity and hands-on experimentation are key; whether identifying a rare bird or coding an application from scratch, leveraging AI effectively still requires a human in the loop to guide the prompts and validate the results. 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! #ArtificialIntelligence #VibeCoding #EdTech #GaussianSplatting #TechPodcast #FutureOfLearning #SpatialComputing #PromptEngineering #TheImmersiveLens #TechTrends #AI #EdTech #GenerativeAI #HigherEd #Podcast #VibeCoding #DigitalEthics #FLCC #NewMedia #TechTrends #TechHistory #UXDesign #FutureOfWork #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. Topics Covered:🗒 SummaryThanks for looking through The Immersive Lens.

1h 1m
May 4

Episode 17: Outliers

🗒 Summary This episode dives into the rapidly shifting landscape of Large Language Models (LLMs), moving beyond the "Big Three" to examine the specialized tools carving out their own niches. From the enterprise-ready integration of Microsoft Copilot to the citation-heavy search capabilities of Perplexity, the hosts analyze why these "outlier" models are essential for specific workflows in 3D design, coding, and academic research. The conversation also touches on the tactile world of 3D printing and the legal pressures currently facing social media giants over user safety. Paul and Dave weigh the practical benefits of these platforms against significant ethical and legal hurdles, including recent high-profile lawsuits involving Meta and YouTube regarding negligence and mental health. They provide a unique look at the "LLM Arena" rankings and discuss the trade-offs between closed-system reliability and the raw, uncurated power of open-source models. Ultimately, they conclude that while the tech is advancing toward a "No UI" future driven by voice and intent, the winner of the AI race will be determined by which model can most seamlessly integrate into our daily digital lives. 🔗 Links & Resources: OpenAI’s Sora shutting down: When it happens, 2 AI video alternatives https://mashable.com/article/openai-sora-shut-down-when-happens-alternatives Jury finds Meta and Google negligent in social media harms trial https://www.npr.org/2026/03/25/nx-s1-5746125/meta-youtube-social-media-trial-verdict New Mexico jury says Meta harms children's mental health and safety, violating state law https://www.npr.org/2026/03/24/g-s1-115019/new-mexico-meta-children-mental-health LLM Arena (Arena.AI) https://arena.ai/ NAAIC Conference https://www.naaic.ai/naaic-ai-summit-2026 Microsoft Copilot https://copilot.microsoft.com/ Perplexity https://www.perplexity.ai/ Comet: Perplexity's Browser https://www.perplexity.ai/comet Amazon wins court order to block Perplexity’s AI shopping agent https://www.cnbc.com/2026/03/10/amazon-wins-court-order-to-block-perplexitys-ai-shopping-agent.html What is LLM Temperature? https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/llm-temperature Grokhttps://grok.com/ Elon Musk's AI chatbot, Grok, started calling itself 'MechaHitler' https://www.npr.org/2025/07/09/nx-s1-5462609/grok-elon-musk-antisemitic-racist-content Elon Musk's X faces bans and investigations over nonconsensual bikini images https://www.npr.org/2026/01/12/nx-s1-5672579/grok-women-children-bikini-elon-musk Grok 4 is using Elon Musk's X posts as a source when answering questions https://mashable.com/article/grok-4-elon-musk-source-reference DeepSeek https://www.deepseek.com/en/ DeepSeek efficiencies https://www.grc.com/sn/sn-1011.htm#:~:text=Leo%3A%20All%20right.%20On%20we%20go.%20Let%27s%20talk%20DeepSeek. AI firm DeepSeek writes less-secure code for groups China disfavors AI firm DeepSeek writes less secure code for groups China disfavors - The Washington Post Mentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @Google 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 #FrontierModels #VibeCoding #NoUI #TechTrends #TheImmersiveLens #LLM #MicrosoftCopilot #PerplexityAI #FutureOfTech #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.

48 min
Apr 27

Episode 16: Gemini

This episode explores the multifaceted world of Google Gemini, Google's rebranded and significantly advanced large language model. The hosts delve into Gemini's three primary modes - Fast, Thinking, and Pro - each tailored to different user needs, from quick queries to complex problem-solving. They also highlight Gemini's seamless integration into the Google ecosystem, including Google Docs, Gmail, and Chrome, making it a ubiquitous assistant for everyday tasks. Beyond simple chat, the discussion covers specialized tools like NotebookLM for research, AI Studio for developers, and creative powerhouses like VEO and flow for video and image generation. Paul and Dave bring their unique tech-savvy perspectives to the table, discussing their personal experiences and preferences between Gemini and other AI models like ChatGPT and Claude. They emphasize the importance of Gemini's low barrier to entry and its "vertical integration" within the Google suite as major competitive advantages. The episode concludes with a positive outlook, portraying Gemini not just as a chatbot but as a comprehensive platform that is continuously expanding its capabilities and redefining human-AI interaction. 🔗 Links & Resources: 2026 iHeartPodcast Awards: Full List Of Winners https://www.iheart.com/content/2026-03-16-2026-iheartpodcast-awards-full-list-of-winners/ Scaniverse - Apple App Store https://apps.apple.com/us/app/scaniverse-3d-scanner/id1541433223 Scaniverse - Android Play Store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nianticlabs.scaniverse&hl=en_US More! More! More! Tech Workers Max Out Their A.I. Use. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/technology/tokenmaxxing-ai-agents.html FLX AI Hub Community Convening https://www.flcc.edu/events/all-events/2026/june/flx-ai-hub-community-convening.php Font Psychology: Why Fonts Matter and How They Influence Consumer Behavior https://www.amazon.com/Font-Psychology-Influence-Consumer-Behavior-ebook/dp/B09JCD1WVW Google Gemini https://gemini.google.com/ AI Studio https://aistudio.google.com/prompts/new_chat Firebase https://firebase.google.com/ Antigravity https://antigravity.google/ Google Flow https://labs.google/fx/tools/flow DeepMind deepmind.google.com DeepMind - AlphaFold - Nobel Prize https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/2024/press-release/ Google Stitch https://stitch.withgoogle.com/ Google's Opal https://opal.google/ Mentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @Google 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.

1 hr
Apr 20

Episode 15: Claude

In this episode of The Immersive Lens, hosts Paul Engin and Dave Ghidiu explore the rapid expansion of the Claude AI ecosystem. They break down how Anthropic is moving beyond simple chat interfaces to create a comprehensive suite of productivity tools - including Projects, Artifacts, and Co-work - designed to transform AI from a basic prompter into a true collaborative partner. The discussion highlights how these features allow for deeper context retention and specialized "skills," making AI more intuitive for complex tasks like software development and course design.Paul and Dave share their personal workflows, contrasting Claude’s "warmer" and more nuanced persona with other giants like Gemini and ChatGPT. While they celebrate the creative freedom offered by tools like Artifacts, they remain grounded, discussing the practicalities of token limits, the "equity gap" in paid tiers, and the critical importance of data privacy in an increasingly automated world. The episode concludes with a forward-looking verdict: AI is rapidly evolving into a seamless, agent-based operating system that will soon be woven into every facet of our digital lives.🔗 Links & Resources:Polymarkethttps://polymarket.com/Kalshihttps://kalshi.com/Meta Glasseshttps://www.meta.com/ai-glasses/shop-all/Meta Acquires Moltbook, the Social Network Just for A.I. Botshttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/10/technology/meta-moltbook-social-ai-bots.htmlClaudehttps://claude.ai/EKG Simulator/trainerhttps://inlineteaching.com/medical/ekgImport and export your memory from Claudehttps://support.claude.com/en/articles/12123587-import-and-export-your-memory-from-claudeWhat are projects?https://support.claude.com/en/articles/9517075-what-are-projectsExtend Claude with skillshttps://code.claude.com/docs/en/skillsWhat are artifacts and how do I use them?https://support.claude.com/en/articles/9487310-what-are-artifacts-and-how-do-i-use-theminfo@theimmersivelens.comClaude Code overviewhttps://code.claude.com/docs/en/overviewFLCC's Vibe Coding Coursehttps://www.flcc.edu/courses/csc-145/Claude Cowork by Anthropichttps://www.anthropic.com/product/claude-coworkMentions: @MIT @Apple @Samsung @Meta @Android @GoogleFLX AI Hub: https://www.flcc.edu/ai/FLCC New Media: https://newmedia.csc.flcc.cloud/#ai #claudeai #anthropic #futuretech #vibecoding #spatialcomputing #machinelearning #techpodcast #productivityhacks #ImmersiveLens #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.

55 min

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.

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