Tim Gorichanaz, PhD

Associate Teaching Professor of Information Science

Gorichanaz is a philosopher and historian of technology design. His research looks at how new technologies, such as mobile devices, social media and artificial intelligence, change the way we behave as individuals and within society. He has written extensively and teaches about the design decisions that affect how people use and are shaped by technology. He continues to explore the legacy of these decisions through a moral philosophical lens, with a particular interest in how technology can help us to become better people and live fulfilling lives.

 

His academic research has examined the use of information technology in art, religion sport and many other areas of life. He has also written about his experiences as an ultramarathon runner and how the sport can be used as an exercise in self actualization and an opportunity to better understand aspects of human experience such as focus, attention and repetition.

 

Gorichanaz has published a book and a number of articles about the relationship between information and attention. His teaching and writing focuses on humanity-centered user experience design, design thinking and ethical analysis. It explores a range of topics related to information theory — including how ubiquitous information access has limited the amount of time people spend on reflection and shortened attention spans, and how visual art forms can deliver information and contribute to moral knowledge.

 

Gorichanaz completed his doctoral studies in informatics at Drexel University. He holds a master’s degree in Spanish and Latin American linguistic, literary and cultural studies, and an undergraduate degree in advertising and Spanish. He is also a fluent Spanish speaker.

In The News

Would You Pay $1,000 For a Family Photo?
A Feb. 27 column for The Conversation written by Tim Gorichanaz, PhD, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Computing & Informatics, about the growing popularity of old digital cameras, was excerpted in a Dec. 2 story in The Atlantic about the growing demand for high-quality family photography.
AI Changes the Game in College Culture Wars, Experts Say
Tim Gorichanaz, PhD, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Computing and Informatics, was quoted in a Jan. 22 TribLive article about the role of artificial intelligence in college culture wars.
ChatGPT Turns 1: AI Chatbot’s Success Says as Much About Humans as Tech
A Nov. 29 piece in The Conversation about the social and cultural impact of chatGPT on the first anniversary of its launch, authored by Tim Gorichanaz, PhD, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Computing & Informatics, was published by UPI on Dec. 1, which led to it being picked up by dozens of news sites associated with local television outlets across the country, as well as MSN, Yahoo! News and Government Technology.
Opinion: Happy 1st Birthday, ChatGPT: OpenAI’s Viral Chatbot Reveals Humans’ Potential — And Our Fears
Tim Gorichanaz, PhD, an assistant teaching professor in the College of Computing & Informatics, authored a Nov. 29 piece for The Conversation reflecting on the social and cultural impact of chatGPT on the first anniversary of its release. It was also republished by a number of outlets, including Yahoo! UK, MarketWatch and MSN Israel.

Related Articles

In the Age of ChatGPT, What’s It Like to Be Accused of Cheating?
Recently published research by Drexel University’s Tim Gorichanaz, PhD, provides a first look into some of the reactions of college students who have been accused of using ChatGPT to cheat.
Tim Gorichanaz and Lynn Clouser at Stories of Self-Portraits opening event. New Rincliffe Gallery Exhibition Demonstrates the Artistic Process
Drexel doctoral student curated an exhibit as part of his thesis, and to showcase the information that can be derived from art.