1

Unplugging with Purpose: One Way genAI Can Support Digital Wellness

by Kelley Cours Anderson, Assistant Professor of Marketing

As someone who studies and teaches at the intersection of marketing and technology, I often think about how generative AI is reshaping digital wellness for marketers, consumers, and especially students.

One of the big promises of genAI is efficiency: freeing up time so we can focus more on human connection and creativity. Of course, that promise doesn’t always play out in practice, but it’s a goal worth striving toward — especially in higher ed, where screens dominate so much of our teaching and learning.

As we approach CofC Unplug Week (October 27–31), I’ve been exploring ways to build more intentional, tech-light moments into my classroom. One important (and frequently asked) question from faculty emerged in conversation over this summer:

“How do I unplug my classroom while still supporting students who need laptops for accommodations?”

It’s a great question and one that helped spark an experiment in my class earlier this semester. I decided to test Zoom’s AI-powered meeting notes. Here’s how it worked:

• I launched a Zoom session on my laptop and positioned it at the front of the room.
• I reminded students that the class would be unplugged, meaning it was tech-free, and that laptops (and other devices) were not to be used during class. They were welcome to take notes on paper if it helped them to focus, but I reiterated that I would have notes for them.
• I ensured Zoom’s AI Companion was turned on so it automatically created real-time notes and summaries from the discussion. These were delivered right to my inbox.
• I posted these summaries on OAKs for students to access.
  • Students who needed note-taking support could access a comprehensive, searchable record of the class.
  • And as a bonus, it gave everyone a helpful recap of a foundational class session.

The result? It was simple, inclusive, and effective… a small win for digital wellness that didn’t compromise accessibility.

Leaning into Unplugging — With Supportive Tech

This experience reminds us: digital wellness doesn’t always mean “no tech.” It can also mean using the right tech in the right way. This means leveraging tools that support focus, reduce overload, and give us space to reconnect with each other.

So this Unplug Week, I invite you to reimagine what your class might look like with a little less screen time and a little more presence. Ready to take the pledge? Sign up today!

Can we “chalk” it up, write it down, or simply look up and listen more?

Let’s rewind the classroom — even just for a day.

---

Image generated by Google Gemini 2.5 Flash