Author

Joe Finkelstein

Joe Finkelstein is an AI educator, columnist, and public speaker with over 20 years of experience in education and a passion for emerging technologies. He has been instrumental in making artificial intelligence accessible to diverse audiences, from elementary students to professionals. Joe writes a weekly column for The Macon Melody, where he explores AI’s impact on education, healthcare, entertainment, and daily life.

Beyond his professional work, Joe is deeply involved in the Macon community. He serves as president-elect of the Macon Kiwanis Club, is a member of the Macon Touchdown Club and a regular contributor at Storytellers Macon events.  He holds a degree from the University of Georgia. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and a teaching certification from Brenau University.  He also earned his Masters in Educational Technology from Georgia College and State University and a Specialist in Education Degree from Piedmont College.

Joe has been married to Ellen for over 33 years, and together they have raised two sons: Will, 28, and Jack, 25. In his spare time, he enjoys playing pickleball and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles with the Macon Georgiadelphia Club. Originally from New Jersey, Joe has called Macon home since 2001.

Read Joe’s stories.

Joe's Latest Articles

AI and the gridiron: How tech is changing football

AI isn’t just behind the scenes in Silicon Valley. It’s now on the gridiron, in the stands and even on our phones.

Make the most of a long weekend with help from artificial intelligence

This Labor Day weekend isn’t about robots taking over your barbecue, but it can be helpful to have a sidekick that can plan a day trip, recommend a recipe or come up with something fun to do with your family or friends.

Artificial intelligence isn’t just a tool, but a conversational pal: Pop culture chats, funk experiments and a few misfires

AI isn’t just good at summarizing the news or helping with lesson plans. It’s also becoming a quirky sidekick for pop culture, music and the weird ideas that pop into your head late at night.

When AI agents call: pesky spam to helpful digital assistants

AI agents are not just for spam calls. The same technology can power some of the most helpful tools you will use in the coming years.

Artificial intelligence can help the back-to-school balancing act

Artificial intelligence may be the surprise assistant that parents didn’t know they needed. Whether you’re juggling multiple kids, school schedules, after-school activities or just trying to keep the household running smoothly, there are now AI-powered tools that can lend a hand.

A badly misunderstood treatment gave me my life back

Joe Finkelstein, columnist for The Melody, shares his experience with anxiety, depression and electroconvulsive therapy.

AI: The kiss cam and the wildfire spread of viral moments

Memes, mashups and parodies flooded TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. AI tools helped users twist the footage, adding fake subtitles, deepfake voices and sensational headlines.

Artificial intelligence: Weather and the storm of misinformation

In today’s world, the forecast isn’t the only thing we have to worry about. Alongside real warnings and updates, we’re also seeing a flood of misinformation, sometimes made worse by artificial intelligence.

What does Marco Rubio’s AI impersonation mean for all of us?

Someone used artificial intelligence to impersonate U.S. Senator Marco Rubio with a synthetic voice so convincing it fooled people at the highest levels of government. The line between real and fake just got a whole lot blurrier.

Fire up the grill: How artificial intelligence is transforming what we eat

From home kitchens to high-end restaurants, AI is rapidly changing how people cook, plan meals and even decide what to eat.

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