How Cyborgs Writing is Supporting an AI-Focused Study Abroad Program
Your subscriptions in action!
I recently returned from my third annual short-term study abroad program in the city of Kraków, Poland. This year's trip was made possible, in part, by the support from the Cyborgs Writing community.
As a reminder, 50% of paid subscriptions directly funds this study abroad experience. My goal is to eventually cover the full cost of one student's trip each year.
I'm excited to share that Cyborgs writing has reached $1,000 in annual revenue, meaning $500 went directly to supporting the Poland study abroad program.
(The other 50% supports the technology and time costs for Cyborgs Writing, none of which are supported by my university or included in my workload as a professor.)
While not quite enough yet to fully fund a student scholarship, this revenue helped significantly offset costs for all the students. It covered the full expense of providing District C T-shirts for everyone to wear during visits like our trip to Hitachi's research lab. The funds also allowed us to host a memorable group dinner at the Georgian Wine and Arts restaurant, to help foster a sense of community.
However, even if you are not a paid subscriber, your engagement and readership contribute to keeping this Substack active and supporting my efforts to provide insights on the responsible use of AI technologies in the world of writing. So my thanks goes out to all subscribers!
Immersive Learning Experiences
During our time in Poland, my students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a different culture while learning about international business practices and the role of AI in driving innovation.
One of the standout highlights from our study abroad program was the visit to Hitachi Energy’s research lab. This provided our students with a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes and witness firsthand how a global technology leader fosters innovation through community and psychological safety.
During our visit, the students engaged directly with Hitachi's employees, gaining insights into how they solve environmentally and technologically complex problems to create a more sustainable future. A key takeaway was the importance of cultivating psychological safety - creating an atmosphere where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas without fear of ridicule or repercussions.
The biggest innovative leaps emerged not necessarily from the science, but from someone willing to ask a new question or give an alternative perspective.
Students visited other companies involved in information and content development and even got a sneak peak at some new AI technologies. As one student, Ansley Pierce, reflected:
My study abroad experience in Krakow has broadened my perspective on international business practices, with a focus on how companies are leveraging AI to drive innovation and efficiency. We had the privilege to sit down with employees at Heretto and received a personal demonstration on their cutting-edge AI software called Etto; it is the first of its kind in the world. Seeing AI being utilized by companies to make not only their lives easier but their customers' lives as well is a huge eye-opener to how influential this technology is becoming.
These visits help students experience the value of cross-cultural exchange and learning from diverse perspectives (not just reading about it). They witnessed tangible examples of how psychological safety empowers teams to think boldly, challenge assumptions, and push the boundaries of what's possible
Your support also enabled us to foster a sense of community and camaraderie through shared cultural experiences. One such highlight was our group dinner at the Georgian Wine & Arts restaurant. This memorable evening allowed students to immerse themselves in the rich flavors, traditions, and hospitality of Georgian culture while strengthening bonds with their peers.
Initiatives like these play a crucial role in shaping well-rounded, globally-minded individuals prepared to navigate and contribute to our increasingly interconnected world.
What's Next
As I transition back from this enriching study abroad experience, I want to express my gratitude for your patience during the last few months.
While my updates on Cyborgs Writing may have been a bit slower, I'm now reenergized and eager to dive back into providing valuable content and resources for this community.
For both paid and free subscribers, I'm excited to embark on a deep exploration of machine rhetorics and how this emerging field can help us better understand the art of "writing for machines." Through thought-provoking posts and discussions, I’ll delve into the nuances of crafting content that resonates with AI systems, unlocking new possibilities for effective communication in our increasingly technology-driven world.
Additionally, I'll be sharing videos that showcase practical applications of machine rhetorics in content development. These visual resources will provide insights into how I'm integrating these principles into my own work, allowing you to witness the process firsthand.
By the way, if you want to see how I used AI as a collaborative partner on my study abroad, check out my last post.
For paid subscribers, a key priority is the completion and update of my PromptOps course here on Substack. This comprehensive resource will equip you with the knowledge and skills to master the art of prompt design in ways that allow you to build better AI writing systems … especially when working collaboratively with a team.
If you are interested, I already have a video course with Firehead Digital Communications that you can check out here.
As I continue to build these explorations, I invite you to share your thoughts, ideas, and specific areas of interest you'd like me to explore. Your input is invaluable in shaping the direction of this Substack.
Stay tuned for more updates, and get ready to dive into the fascinating world of machine rhetorics and AI content operations!