Episode #59: AI Essentials w/ Joni Gutierrez

In Episode #59 of Simon Says: Educate!, Ronald Lethcoe is joined by Joni Gutierrez, co-chair of the Washington State ELC AI Task Force and accessible technology specialist at Tacoma Community College. Together, they reflect on the launch of the new AI Essentials course created for Washington’s community and technical college system.

They discuss the urgent need for shared AI vocabulary, the course’s accessibility and practical design, and the guiding framework known as the A-E-I-O-U ethos (Accessible, Equitable, Inclusive, Open, and Universal). Joni and Ronald highlight how the course empowers faculty and staff to engage with AI responsibly, explore its use as a collaborator, and consider when to integrate or avoid it based on human values and context.

The episode also explores AI’s potential to support personalized learning, multimedia content creation, and accessibility in higher education, while urging educators to stay informed, intentional, and energy-conscious.

Preview the course here:
AI Essentials Course (Canvas)

Check out Joni's blog post on AI Essentials: Gutierrez & Lethcoe’s AI Essentials in Education (AI-Ed): Responsible AI Literacy Course for a Human-Centered Future

Connect with Joni on LinkedIn: Joni Gutierrez, Ph.D.