As an educator, researcher, and scholar, my work is dedicated to the theoretical and practical evolution of the moving image in the Age of AI. My scholarly foundation lies in classical realism—specifically the work of Siegfried Kracauer—which was the focus of my doctoral dissertation investigating cinematic realism through film practice and criticism. I investigate how cinema’s primary vocation to “record and reveal physical reality” (Kracauer, 1960, p. 28) is being fundamentally transformed by algorithmic synthesis.

Research: AI Cinematic Realism and the AEIOU Ethos

My scholarship is grounded in two books I have authored to define the ethical and aesthetic foundations of this emerging field:

• AI Cinematic Realism (Gutierrez, 2026): In this book, I argue that AI video marks a profound ontological rupture; it does not begin with light striking a sensor, but with a synthesis of patterns in data. I propose a shift from “is this real?” to “is this true?”, prioritizing “cinematic truth” (p. 11) and “emotional plausibility” (p. 45) over technical fidelity. This research probes the “asymmetrical knowledge” (p. 49) of the synthesis age and introduces the mandate of “Accountable Authorship” (p. 42)—the commitment that even in a landscape of generative “conjuring,” the creator remains a moral agent and the narrative anchor.
• AEIOU Ethos: A Framework for Responsible AI (Gutierrez, 2025): I authored this book to offer a unifying, actionable framework that integrates Accessibility, Equity, Inclusivity, Openness, and Universality into the “DNA” of AI development. The AEIOU Ethos (Gutierrez, 2025) recognizes these five principles as interconnected pillars rather than independent ideals. This framework ensures that AI development remains intentional and serves all of humanity by correcting societal imbalances, representing marginalized voices, and fostering trust through transparency and explainability.

Pedagogy: Teaching Ethical and Creative AI

With nearly a decade of experience as an Assistant Professor of Film & Media Studies, I teach ethical and creative generative AI practices. My pedagogy rejects the myth of the passive “prompt typist,” instead empowering students to move beyond consumption into becoming moral agents.

• Critical Witnessing: I train students as critical witnesses who practice “Accountable Authorship” (Gutierrez, 2026, p. 42), teaching them to interrogate the systems, biases, and training sets that underpin synthetic media.
• Ethical Framework Integration: By integrating the AEIOU Ethos (Gutierrez, 2025) into the curriculum, I ensure that the next generation of filmmakers can navigate algorithmic bias while maintaining an unwavering commitment to digital equity.
• Narrative Truth vs. Technical Spectacle: My classroom serves as a site where generation is guided by ethical authorship. Students learn to prioritize emotional resonance over the “hollow sheen” of mere technical display.

Service: Systemic Leadership and Academic Vision

My commitment to the field is operationalized through statewide systemic leadership and advocacy for inclusive technology practices. I work to ensure that technological advancement does not widen existing societal fractures or create new barriers to participation.

• Statewide Impact: Through the co-authorship of AI Essentials in Education (AI-Ed), I am leading the training of faculty and staff across a 34-college consortium in Washington state.
• Collaborative Governance: As Co-Chair of the WA eLearning Council AI Task Force, I co-authored the “Eight Essential Principles for AI in Education” (2026) to ensure human-centered, inclusive learning environments.
• Academic Vision: My objective is to redefine Film and Media Studies for the 21st century by offering a unique synthesis of doctoral-level expertise and systemic leadership. I am committed to proving that the future of cinema remains stubbornly and beautifully human—a modern redemption of the vision first proposed by Kracauer (1960).

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References

Gutierrez, J. (2025). AEIOU Ethos: A framework for responsible AI.

Gutierrez, J. (2026). AI cinematic realism.

Gutierrez, J., & Lethcoe, R. (2026, January 19). Human-centered learning in the Age of AI: Eight essential principles.

Kracauer, S. (1960). Theory of film: The redemption of physical reality. Oxford University Press.