This fall, as the Digital Ethics Scholarship Intern, I stepped into the role eager to dive into the dynamic world of digital scholarship. My goals were clear: broaden my grasp of digital scholarship, deepen my understanding of back-end web development, explore accessibility challenges, and interrogate the far-reaching impact of AI on our digital landscape. With my supervisor, I set some objectives, knowing the term would spark exploration and lay a foundation for more hands-on projects next terms, winter and spring.
At the start, I grappled with complex questions: How do we balance accessibility and privacy? How do design decisions shape which voices are amplified, and which remain unheard? Wrestling with these questions anchored my work this fall, leading me to focus not just on technical growth, but also on digital scholarship’s broader ethical and societal dimensions. Tackling these topics helped me sharpen my digital toolset, develop stronger time management, and become a better learner through observation and reflection.
Over the past few months, I’ve built a solid foundation in back-end tools and platforms, such as WordPress, Omeka, LinkedIn Learning, Trello, Zotero, GitHub, and Python. Weekly readings sparked thought-provoking conversations about where digital scholarship is headed—and how students and the Carleton community can shape its future. Again and again, I returned to the wide gaps that persist in the field of AI. It’s clear there is still so much more to understand and explore.
One highlight early in the term was attending a thought-provoking talk on AI’s sweeping impacts across industries, opening my eyes to its unseen reach. I also delved into podcasts on the environmental repercussions of AI, discovering how much more research is needed in this area. Events like the AI and Sustainability discussion introduced me directly to Carleton’s AI initiatives and new leadership in the field. Speakers challenged me to consider opportunity costs, unexpected competition, and the critical role of scale in scientific work.
Beyond AI, I benefited from a networking workshop, a timely experience as I begin envisioning my post-college path. I also contributed to the Leganto library project, offering the student viewpoint and exploring whether this resource should remain a priority for Carleton.
Perhaps most impactful was participating in World Usability Day 2025: Designing Emerging Technologies for the Human Experience. This event underscored the social risks of increased digital reliance and illuminated the very real complications surrounding technology’s integration into our daily lives.
Reflecting on the fall, I see it as a season of discovery, skill-building, and critical inquiry. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue investigating AI’s ethical and social implications, deepen my technical expertise, and contribute to projects that make digital scholarship more accessible and impactful for everyone.
