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[Transcript of “Episode 1: Stealing Voice AI and the New Appropriation​”, .docx]

When you hear a soul-stirring blues riff generated by an algorithm, your first thought might be: “Wow, that sounds amazing.” But Dr. Sybil Prince-Nelson’s second thought was much more haunting: Who actually gets the credit?

In the latest episode of Sybil and the Synth, a university professor and her digital clone, Synthia, tackle one of the most explosive debates in creative tech: AI Cultural Appropriation.

Using the historic parallel of Big Mama Thornton and Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” Sybil and Synthia peel back the curtain on how AI models “absorb” the struggle, spirituality, and style of Black creative pioneers—often without a single cent or citation returning to the source.

In this episode, they explore:

• The “Invisibility” Problem: Why AI appropriation is fundamentally different (and potentially more dangerous) than the cover-song era of the 1950s.
• Fan Fiction vs. Data Mining: Sybil’s unique take on where “inspiration” ends and “plagiarism” begins.
• The “Math vs. Humanities” Battle: Why the solution to artistic ethics might actually be found in a Data Science classroom.

Can We Fix a Broken Model?

The most exciting part of the conversation isn’t just the critique—it’s the solution. Sybil reveals groundbreaking work her own students are doing to distinguish human soul from digital imitation. But is the tech industry actually willing to “cite its sources”?

As Synthia puts it, the technology isn’t the barrier—the business model is.

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Is AI the next great innovator, or just the latest face of a very old story? Find out in this provocative episode of Sybil and the Synth. 

When was the last time you felt completely out of your depth?

For our students, that feeling is a daily occurrence. For experts in their field, however, that feeling is rare. And yet, learning for its own sake is what drew most of us into our careers. Re-experiencing a novice mindset not only reminds us of the wonder, joy, and curiosity that turned us into experts, but remembering life as a novice can also dramatically improve how we teach. 

The Harte Center, in partnership with the University Library, is thrilled to announce the call for applications for the Learning Curve Fellowship (LCF). This is a unique opportunity for faculty members to step away from the podium and back into the student’s seat.

What is the Learning Curve Fellowship? The LCF is a two-year transformative experience designed to help you reconnect with the struggle, confusion, and ultimate reward of learning something entirely new. We aren’t looking for faculty who want to deepen their current mastery; we are looking for novices.

• Year 1: The Learning Journey. Imagine a Math professor learning to sail, or a Biology professor joining a poetry workshop. You will receive a stipend and support to cover costs (courses, conferences, etc.) to learn a skill outside your expertise. You will document this journey—struggles and all—with the help of the Digital Humanities Librarian.
• Year 2: Teaching Impact. You will take those fresh insights on motivation, cognitive load, and the “novice perspective” and translate them into public presentations and narratives to help your peers.

The Commitment Fellows should expect to dedicate 2-3 hours a week to the fellowship, including monthly meetings with the Harte Center Director and co-leading workshops.

Why Apply? This is a chance to reinvigorate your teaching practice by embarking on a learning journey. Along the way, you will discover new methods to guide your students on their journeys.

As the fall semester comes to a close, we want to pause and offer a sincere congratulations. Reaching the end of a term is no small accomplishment. You’ve guided students through new ideas, supported them through challenges, and made space for learning in all its messy, meaningful forms. Thank you for the time, care, and energy you bring to your teaching and to our campus community.

We hope the weeks ahead bring you a well-deserved, restorative break—time to rest, disconnect, and focus on whatever helps you recharge. Whether that looks like travel, reading for pleasure, catching up on sleep, or simply enjoying a quieter pace, we hope it’s exactly what you need.

The Harte Center will also be embracing this pause. We won’t be thinking about work (much!) over the break—but we’ll be refreshed and ready to consult, brainstorm, and plan with you beginning Monday, January 5.

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Feeling Inspired? Optional Ways to Ease into Winter Term

Of course, rest comes first. But if you do find yourself with a little curiosity or creative energy over break, here are a few low-pressure, optional ideas to explore:

• Capture ideas while they’re fresh
  Jot down notes about what worked well this fall and what you might tweak next time. Your future self will thank you.
  
• Revisit one course with fresh eyes
  Ask yourself: What’s one small change that could improve clarity, engagement, or accessibility? This might be revising a single assignment, adding a model/example, or simplifying instructions.
  
• Explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  Consider where you might offer students more flexibility in how they engage with content or demonstrate learning—small shifts can have big impact.
  
• Experiment with generative AI tools
  Try using AI—everyone at W&L has access to Microsoft Copilot—to brainstorm discussion prompts, draft assignment instructions, generate examples, or reword complex explanations. Even 10–15 minutes of exploration can spark ideas for winter term.

Again—none of this is an expectation. Think of these as invitations, not to-do items.

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Thank you for everything you’ve done this semester. We are grateful for your work and look forward to partnering with you in the new year.

Wishing you a peaceful, joyful, and truly restful break. We’ll see you in January.

— The Harte Center Team