MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Community College wrapped up the spring portion of the Dillon Lecture series on Tuesday with AI and multimedia creator Taryn Southern.
Prior to her presentation, Southern, fielded questions from students, media representatives and college leadership, focusing on both the opportunities and risks tied to rapidly evolving AI tools.
She emphasized that artificial intelligence should be viewed as a collaborative tool rather than a replacement for human skill.
“I think there’s an opportunity to use AI to deepen research and explore new ideas,” Southern said. “But people still need the foundational skills of journalism—writing, critical thinking and problem solving—so they can recognize when something isn’t right.”
Southern, who teaches AI-focused communication courses in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates , warned that overreliance on the technology can lead to lower-quality work if users fail to apply their own judgment. She encouraged students to treat AI as an “editing co-partner” rather than a shortcut.
During the discussion, she also addressed skepticism surrounding AI. While acknowledging legitimate concerns, Southern said those who refuse to adopt the technology risk falling behind.
“Every company should be using it if they want to stay relevant,” she said, noting that AI can dramatically speed up tasks like research and content development when used responsibly.
Southern pointed to real-world applications, including her own work using AI to create music, develop marketing materials and even build customized software tools. In one example, she described organizing years of personal health data into a functional app in about an hour—something she said would have previously required significant time and technical expertise.
The conversation also turned to the darker side of AI, including misinformation and scams. Southern said the technology has advanced to the point where it can be nearly impossible to distinguish real content from AI-generated material.
“It’s now officially so good you cannot tell the difference,” she said, urging audience members to verify information through trusted sources and remain cautious online.
She also recommended practical safety measures, such as creating family “passwords” to guard against AI-driven impersonation scams.
Despite the concerns, Southern said she remains optimistic about AI’s potential to expand creativity and productivity, particularly for those willing to experiment and adapt.
“The people who succeed with these tools are the ones who think in multidisciplinary ways,” she said. “They use AI to fill in the gaps and create things that weren’t possible before.”
Southern’s visit drew strong engagement from students studying journalism and communications, many of whom asked how AI will shape their future careers. Her message remained consistent: embrace the technology—but don’t abandon the fundamentals.