As a child of the 60s, anything involving space flight and adventure still excites me. The recent Artemis II mission rekindled that childhood sense of wonder. If I had the chance to travel to the Moon tomorrow, my answer would be immediate: yes.
The original Star Trek series helped fuel my dreams of space adventures, and I still enjoy the newer versions. In the original series, the Enterprise computer sat on a desk and talked with the crew. Remember, in the 1960s, a computer could occupy an entire room. Watching Captain Kirk ask the computer a question and receive an answer felt almost magical.
I was in awe.
Fast forward 60 years. Today, we hold computers in our hands. With artificial intelligence tools, those computers can now talk with us, answer questions, help solve problems, and assist with daily tasks. Once again, I am in awe, though I will admit I am also a little nervous.
I am in awe because these tools have tremendous power and promise. They can help people work more efficiently, learn more effectively, and explore ideas in new ways. At times, it feels almost mystical.
Like many powerful tools in human hands, I am nervous because there are also serious questions about privacy, security, accuracy, and the responsible use of these tools. Like many powerful technologies, artificial intelligence can be helpful when used wisely and harmful when used carelessly. That is why McDowell Tech has been approaching this work thoughtfully.
For about a year, the college s AI Task Force has been researching and recommending direction for the college. Their goal is to help ensure that education at McDowell Tech remains current, practical, and connected to the workforce while also protecting quality learning and academic integrity.
Their first task was to develop clear guidance for faculty and students about the appropriate use of AI in assignments and coursework. There are times when AI tools should not be used, just as there are times when a calculator should not be used for a particular assignment or exam. Students still need to learn how to think, write, calculate, analyze, and solve problems on their own. At the same time, there are other moments when students need to learn how to use AI tools well because these tools are becoming part of the modern workplace. The question is not simply whether students should use them. The better question is when, how, and why they should use them. McDowell Tech s AI guidelines will be implemented in Fall 2026.
The second task of the AI Task Force was to identify tools that may help faculty enhance the learning experience for students. The third task was to identify tools that may help staff improve efficiency and service. In both cases, the goal is not to replace people. The goal is to support our faculty and staff so they can continue doing what matters most: teaching and serving students.
Professional development continues to be important. Our employees engage in professional development so our students have the opportunity to be ready for 21st-century careers. This fall, McDowell Tech will offer a short-term course introducing AI for personal and professional use. In addition, college credit AI courses will be available in relevant programs, while other programs will begin embedding AI skills into existing courses.
Even our Board of Trustees has engaged in AI professional development. Before the last two board meetings, trustees arrived early to learn about the origin, benefits, concerns, and practical uses of AI in their personal and professional lives. Their willingness to learn models the same spirit we encourage in our students.
Another story that shaped my imagination was The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In those stories, Gandalf the Grey, who later becomes Gandalf the White, is a wizard who brings wisdom, guidance, and even mystery to the journeys. He does not do the work for the adventurers, but he helps them see more clearly and move forward with courage.
When I began experimenting with AI tools, I eventually found them helpful in improving my own efficiency. I use one as a virtual assistant and researcher. Over time, I customized its knowledge and my expectations for its work. Used properly, it frees time for me to focus on other important responsibilities. Because AI works best when you talk with it conversationally, much like the Enterprise computer, and because of my lifelong enjoyment of The Lord of the Rings, I named my AI assistant Gandalf.
Artificial intelligence is here to stay. That does not mean we should rush forward without caution, nor does it mean we should stand still while the world changes around us. At McDowell Tech, we are choosing a thoughtful path: learning, testing, guiding, and preparing. So that our businesses, students, and community are not left behind, McDowell Tech has begun this new trek of Learning for Life with AI tools.
The future may not be quite as simple as asking the Enterprise computer for an answer, and it may not be as mysterious as walking into danger with Gandalf. But it is a journey worth taking carefully, wisely, and together.
Visit www.mcdowelltech.edu to explore upcoming courses and programs. You may discover that McDowell Tech is what we strive to be every day: Right Where You Belong.
