Looking at technology in terms of using it as a tool to enhance daily life, I found fascinating information when consulting with Alexis Clements, Assistant Professor of Digital Media Technology at Southeast New Mexico College (SENMC) and Charles Beardmore, a student at SENMC and student representative of the college’s AI workgroup.
Applications have their own pros and cons of use. Here is a look at AI and ChatGPT and their place in our world today.
An Interview with Alexis Clements
Technology is prevalent in society today. How has the use of technology changed in your lifetime?
As an elder millennial, I feel that much of my experience has been shaped by evolving technologies. As early as kindergarten, I remember our school library providing Apple II computers. Little did I know then how technology would transform daily life and become so pervasive. I didn’t have a computer at home until late high school, and I purchased my own iMac as a photography major in college. Traditional color film processing had been discontinued the semester before I started, and all color photographic work was done using digital cameras and printers. Prior to teaching, I worked in content moderation for mobile media and tech companies. As an artist, I have integrated technology fully into my practice. Throughout my personal and professional life, technological changes have profoundly affected how I connect with others, conduct research, and create. I can’t say technology has made things better or worse. My approach has been to embrace technological shifts rather than resist them, though I do so cautiously.
As a digital media professor, what is the most common positive use for technology you have encountered? And, on the flip side, what is the most common negative side effect of technology?
One positive aspect of technology is its role in making the arts more accessible. I’m not just referring to digital platforms that allow consumers to express creativity but rather to the way technology has democratized access, lowering barriers to entry for becoming an artist. Of course, access to technology itself is a privilege; but when we consider the history of art, with barriers due to race, class, and gender, it wasn’t until technological advancements like the Gutenberg press and photography that art became more widely accessible to the average person. These innovations changed who could own, engage with, or create art. Technology has undeniably played a crucial role in democratizing engagement with the arts.
The downside of technology, I fear, is the homogenization of culture driven by algorithms. It’s hard not to adopt the attitude of a postmodern cynic, that everything has already been done. It’s not that I believe creativity is dead because of technology, but rather that the creative work promoted by algorithms tends to favor familiar, easily digestible content, leaving more divergent work less visible. This, in turn, shapes our expectations of what art and creative media should be, reinforcing certain styles or ideas until they are perceived as the norm—even when they may not be.
What advice do you have for people to use technology responsibly?
I try to remember that technology is just a tool, nothing more. Imagine how absurd it would be if we all sat around holding hammers all day, waiting for a nail to appear. Yet, with phones, computers, and even televisions, the line between tool and entertainment has blurred beyond recognition. Personally, I’m a fan of digital detoxing, balancing my tech use with Luddite pursuits; reading tangible books, playing vinyl records, and learning skills that don’t require technological augmentation. The goal isn’t to reject technology but to avoid dependence on it. Responsibility means setting boundaries; don’t be afraid to turn on Do Not Disturb mode.
What are your thoughts on students using AI and ChatGPT? Are these helpful tools, or do they degrade the process of creating and thinking?
Teaching digital media means preparing students to enter the workforce as professional digital creators. It would be irresponsible not to equip them with an understanding of generative AI; both its capabilities and the ethical considerations surrounding its use in the arts and media industries. That conversation starts by recognizing AI’s limitations such as its inability to critically think and that AI tools are known to make up responses when it doesn’t know the answer, also known as hallucinations. Generative AI is not a substitute for skill or creativity; it’s only as effective as the person using it. If someone struggles with writing, they’re unlikely to excel at crafting effective AI prompts. Likewise, without strong critical thinking skills, a user may fail to recognize inconsistencies or inaccuracies in AI-generated content. Used thoughtfully, AI can be a valuable research tool and a space for what-if brainstorming.
One of the more positive applications of AI technology is its role as an accessibility tool. As someone with an invisible disability that directly affects cognitive load, I’ve personally leveraged AI to break down complex tasks into manageable steps and summarize documents in plain language. I utilize these tools to make my lessons more accessible for students, and I also encourage them to use these tools in similar ways to support their own learning.
If we look at technology as a tool, what are some proper ways to use said tool?
I’m not sure there’s a single “correct” way to use technological tools, as their effectiveness depends on the intent and knowledge of the user. However, I would like to suggest transparency: Users should be upfront about employing these tools in their workflow, and we should refrain from making moral judgements of others regarding their use in professional environments. Personal or sensitive data, whether your own or someone else’s, should never be entered into AI systems. Much remains unknown about how training data is sourced, where it’s used, and who truly owns it.
An Interview with Charles Beardmore
How much of your day to day life is dominated by technology?
Most of the day. I’m on my computer most of the day for school purposes because it is how I do my assignments. I use my phone to watch videos on YouTube and to text and call people when necessary, but to also sometimes log myself in through the Microsoft Authenticator app. I watch TV to relax at the end of the day and use my old phone for listening to music while I sleep.
Do you look at AI and ChatGPT as a tool to use only when needed or as a regular resource? What are some pros and cons of using these tools?
Depending on how people use AI, it can be used as a tool, but only for ethical reasons. I do not look at using AI as a regular resource. The pros of using AI: It can help you find answers to questions you may not be able to find through a standard search engine, particularly Google or Bing. AI can even help a student find research ideas for and edit an essay.
Cons of using AI: AI cannot replace people, especially with their jobs. AI was one of the reasons why the writers and actors went on strike in 2023. They were afraid of the entertainment studios replacing them with AI. AI is also a concern to educational institutions because students can use AI to cheat or to generate a research essay, which is unethical because that automatically violates the academic code of the educational institution. AI can also take away creativity because creativity involves critical thinking, and AI can immediately ruin the critical thinking aspect of creativity. That’s why educational institutions have AI policies and why SENMC has an AI workgroup because we are still figuring out the ethics of using AI. I am a part of the AI workgroup as a student representative at SENMC because I know what AI is and how AI should be used ethically.
What are your thoughts on technology in our everyday lives? Is it a necessity or a luxury?
It depends on how we use technology. I think technology can be considered a luxury because it is something that not everyone may have access to. From a student perspective, I think technology is a necessity because it is how we do our assignments or take online courses.
Technological tools like AI and ChatGPT have their place in everyday use among tech users. An important aspect to keep in mind is the ethical uses of said tools along with allowing yourself the freedom to create in the way that works best for you.
Authors note: some responses shortened for article brevity.
Article written by Michele Robertson and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2025 Spring edition.
Michele Robertson
There are many facets to what makes me who I am. Enjoying time in nature while practicing "leave no trace" principles and doing interesting, educational, and cultural activities with my kids tops the list of my favorite things. I’m also a community advocate and volunteer, doing what I can to make a positive impact.
