THE PROFESSOR

I'm Sarah Gibson

I’m an award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, new media storyteller, professor, First Amendment scholar—and most importantly, a mother of two.

My life is full of creative chaos—even before you add the challenge of keeping up with emerging media and AI.

I’ve always loved the possibilities of new storytelling tools. But for a long time, I felt overwhelmed by the pressure to stay on top of every trend.

Then I realized: You don’t have to chase every headline. You need clarity. You don’t have to predict the future. You need confidence to move through it.

When you zoom out and see the big picture, everything shifts. You can engage with AI as a creative partner, rooted in authenticity and guided by purpose. You can create boldly, navigate change ethically, and flourish in a world that’s moving fast.

I live in the space between where we are and where we’re going—and I help others move through that space with clarity, confidence, and a little AI magic.

Together, we’ll bring discernment and invention, tradition and innovation, strategic thinking and decisive action—so you can lead, create, and thrive in this new era.

My Story

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” - Arthur C. Clarke

There's a unique thrill that comes with encountering new technology for the first time.

For me, it has always felt like magic.

Some of my earliest memories involve playing games on an Apple II. I vividly remember seeing an early version of the internet, learning to code before Yahoo! and Google existed, and unwrapping a first-generation iPod on Christmas morning.

Even now, my breath catches when I see the computer-generated ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast.

People often ask where my passion for new media comes from.

Well, it’s in my blood.

My mother was a pioneer in electronic music—one of the few women exploring the frontiers of digital sound.

In our house, technology wasn’t something to fear.
It was something to play with. To imagine with. To create with.

That early exposure shaped me. New media has never just been a passion—it’s the thread that runs through my life. It’s how I see the world. It’s how I tell stories. And now, it’s how I help others navigate change with clarity and confidence.

We’re entering a fundamental shift in how we relate to humanity, media, and technology.

It won’t always be easy. But it will be transformational.

And I hope you’ll join me for the journey—because it’s one worth taking.

Why I do it.

I believe media has the power to change lives.

I also understand that new media moves fast and changes daily. Trying to keep up with every trend can take a toll—on your energy, your creativity, and your well-being.

But here’s the good news: there’s a better way forward.

I’ve watched technology evolve, and I’ve learned how to engage with it thoughtfully—without chasing the noise.

It’s not about keeping up. It’s about showing up—with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of purpose.

Learning to partner with AI helped me do more than create. It helped me grow in confidence, push through impostor syndrome, and remember: I don’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

I just have to show up—with authenticity, curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

That’s why I do this work.

Let’s move from fear to flourishing—together.

I can’t wait to meet you.

"Professor Gibson was incredibly passionate about this subject and I feel like she was able to keep us engaged and meet us as students where we were."

"Thank you for this training! I thoroughly enjoyed it!"

"I really really enjoyed this class. The topics we covered & the level of discourse we as the students were introduced to was exciting and fun..."

THE FORMALITIES

Sarah Gibson is the Director of the School of Communication and Faculty Fellow for AI at Lipscomb University. With over 17 years as a university professor, she’s an educator, podcaster, new media storyteller, First Amendment scholar, and strong advocate for a human-centered approach to AI.

Sarah is also the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Human-Centered AI: Creativity and Practice and the Executive Producer of the AI and the Kid podcast, co-created and hosted by her 9-year-old daughter. She holds a B.S. in Electronic Media from Abilene Christian University along with an M.F.A. in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of North Texas.

Her career spans award-winning filmmaking and academic leadership. Notable achievements include an interactive documentary that earned the Broadcast Education Association’s Best of Festival King Foundation Award in 2012 and mentoring students whose work has garnered national recognition, including a National Murrow Award. As department chair, she led curriculum redesigns, studio renovations, and coordinated cross-functional teams for student media rebranding and conferences, while also helping guide the School of Communication toward a flexible certificate model.

Join the journey toward a human-centered AI future.