The Union Vol. 80, Issue 7

The Union

EL CAMINO COLLEGE

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1946 April 2, 2026

AI classes offered in fall

Volleyball dusted

See Page 6 & 7

ARTS

See Page 3

OPINION

News

Trades vs AI

AI misogyny

See Page 4

ECCUNION.COM

See Page 8

SPORTS

@ECCUNION

Investigation opens into ECC women’s athletics operational costs, according to a press release from July he U.S Department 28, 2025. of Education’s The college also stated Office for Civil Rights is in the press release that investigating El Camino the teams have below the College over a possible standard threshold for Title IX violation for failing competition. to provide equal athletic “We never really want participation opportunities to cut programs; but to female students by not budgeting-wise, that comes effectively accommodating from the top…I think their interests and abilities. when the administration The investigation, which looks at any program in opened Wednesday, March any department, it’s really 4, follows a complaint filed based on where the interest by former ECC badminton is,” Athletic Director coach David Levin on Abigail Francisco said. behalf of the women’s Title IX standards include badminton team, one of a three-prong test which two women’s teams cut in measures if an educational Badminton club members including, from left to right, nursing majors Esteban Linares,19, and Nguyen 2025. entity is in compliance with Vu,19, with Vice President of the Badminton Club Vanessa V., as well as one unidentifed member, enjoy Title IX is a federal law particular standards. a match Friday, March 27. Photo by Eleni Klostrakis designed to prevent sexA school is in violation based inequity in federally of Title IX if it fails all Associates, an investigative conclude a finding that the appeal to the conclusion. funded education programs. three prongs of the test, if it firm serving California district failed prong three.

There has been no ECC suspended women’s satisfies just one, or two it public and private entities.

Based on those findings, response to the appeal from badminton and tennis, as is considered compliant, Dated Friday, Feb. 13, the Title IX Office the ECC well as men’s golf and ECC conducted its own the firm concluded that the concluded that ECC was in tennis, citing budget independent investigation district failed prong one compliance with Title IX. To read the full story, visit challenges, low student into the Title IX complaint and two and that evidence On March 9, Levin eccunion.com participation and high with Nicole Miller & was “insufficient” to submitted a notice of

By Eleni Klostrakis

T

Anti-gun software now integrated in security cameras The reality is that human beings can only do so detection security software available currently. much on their own.

Other leading companies include ZeroEyes, El Camino College Chief of Police Matthew The ECCPD was understaffed with two Coram, Athena Security, and Motorola’s Vander Horck was in Oxnard on Saturday, dispatchers, six officers, three sergeants and a Avigilon Alta, which utilized by Santa Monica March 7 when he got a notification on his chief, half the ideal level to operate, last year.

College’s police department. phone: “Priority alert gun threat was verified at “One dispatcher…can’t monitor 900 lenses all SMC Chief of Police Johnnie Adams said they [location].” at the same time,” Sergeant Francisco Esqueda implemented the Alta software a year and a half He jumped into action. He thought, “It takes said, who has been a member of the ECCPD ago, when they switched the previous software. me about an hour to get to campus from Oxnard.” since the late 90s.

So far, the SMC’s Avigilon Alta is set to Then he thought, “How are we going to Information Technology specialist Josh “problem areas,” where they programmed a precoordinate this? Who do I need to call and where Armstrong first introduced Omnilert as a standing set of rules and restrictions to specified is the gun detection taking place?” potential security system the school would adapt. areas, times and objects such as backpacks or It was a false alarm.

The Board of Trustees then approved the weapons.

Back in Torrance, the ECC Reserve Police Omnilert contract during an August 2025 Artificial Intelligence is still capable of Academy was running through practice drills in a meeting. mistakes which is why it takes the human eye to simulated training scenario involving fake guns.

In December 2025, ECCPD began testing the confirm potential threats.

It came as a surprise to sergeants and the chief new software and by January 2026, Omnilert In one case, a Maryland Baltimore county high of police to receive the Omnilert notifications; was live. school’s AI security system mistook a bag of but upon review of the cameras footage, they Vander Horck took a chance and applied for chips for a gun back in October 2025. figured out it was not a threat. the grant. He wasn’t sure if they would get it “It does work, but you have to check and “AI is the future of police work,” Vander Horck because Omnilert mainly covers K-12, but the see what you’re seeing on the camera when it said.

Virginia-based company was eager to work with actually pops [up],” Adams said.

The El Camino College Police Department more college campuses.

The contract with Omnilert will expire is now implementing new camera software Services and hardware totaled to $58,795, in August 2028, but Vander Horck hopes to called Omnilert, which detects guns, including which came at no charge to the ECC Police purchase the program before that, which will handguns and rifles through artificial intelligence department. require future grant funding. and instantaneously notifies campus police “There was no funding source for it,” Vander “There’s no place on campus where you haven’t when arms are found on campus. The software Horck said, but that changed when they found been recorded,” Vander Horck said. integrates directly with the preexisting cameras that Omnilert was offering a full grant. on campus.

Omnilert is one of the many AI camera

By Oriana de Quay

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EDITORIAL

April 2, 2026

The Union

The Union SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1946

Vol. 80, No. 7 April 2, 2026

EDITORS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Illustration by Oriana De Quay

Students, beware of bots

By Union Editorial Board

B

efore ChatGPT became the ghostwriter for essays, school assignments were sloppy, genuine and chaotic expressions of student creativity and knowledge.

Now, eerie soulless writing and work can be seen across all El Camino College’s different academic divisions.

Students are killing their creativity and critical thinking skills by relying on AI platforms to do their work for them. -The Higher Education Policy Institute found in a 2026 Student Generative AI Survey that 95% of students report utilizing AI in school, with 49% finding it useful.

“The biggest risk when it comes to AI…is the type of relationships that kids, teens and young adults are going to build with AI,” Chief Technology Officer Loic Audusseau said.

Students on campus admit to having used or knowing colleagues that use AI to complete school work.

“I have a lot of friends that use AI often, many,” radiology major Raul Monje, 18, said. Many point to the slew of harmful effects AI can have on the brain and to social spaces.

A study conducted by neurotechnology specialists at the MIT Media Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts found, in examining neural activity while using ChatGPT and other AI platforms, that usage was directly linked to weaker deep cognitive processing, memory retention and reading comprehension.

“In the long run it will affect their cognitive thinking for sure…they’ll be more reliant on AI, which isn’t good…take baby steps backwards and start using your own cognitive function for your own good and career,” Monje said.

Erica Lee

NEWS EDITOR

Eleni Klostrakis

FEATURES EDITOR

Oriana de Quay

OPINION EDITOR

Madison Moody

PHOTO EDITOR

Chelsea Alvarez

STAFF Staff Writers Ana Gamez Isataia Whitley

Juan Carlos Cardoso Michelle Claire Pentreath

Isaac Ramirez

Osvin Suazo

Photographers

While AI usage drains our brain, it also drains the world’s water supply.

Large data centers that help develop AI models can consume upward of 5 million gallons of water per day, according to the Environmental Energy Study Institute. That amount equates roughly to the water usage of a small town of 10,000-50,000 people.

AI isn’t frying its motherboard anytime soon, so students should adapt to create a healthier balance with AI usage.

Digital detoxing can be an especially effective tool for students addicted to AI and overall technological usage.

It’s a return to more traditional outlets for a period of time, cutting all forms of online technology, even for a short time.

“I do think people these days are becoming more reliant on using AI for everything… even just daily apps have AI implemented into it,” Kamiya Williams, an 18-year-old undecided major, said.

It’s not that students should completely avoid AI, but instead make it a responsible behavior that can be encouraged.

Studies show that mental health, attention span and general well-being improved after two weeks of blocking mobile internet.

While no one these days is expected to go two weeks off-grid, students are unable to go a day, let alone an hour, without a device in hand.

Education is a choice and it falls on students to create discipline in their relationships with AI and set themselves up for good brain function for the future.

Donovan Harris Ryan Hirabayashi Interns Diocelina Ordonez Lincoln Stock Evelyn Wimberly Matthew Beck Frances Que Maya Ochoa Gael Gallardo Mun Leong Grant Blizzard Patrick Martinez Jesse Jennewein Riley Abrams Kaitlyn Estrada Tulsi Ananda Read Illustrators Christol Nguyen

Zuri Godwin

Special to The Union Ananya Iamcharoen Nikki Yunker Heather Austin Victor Copora

ADVISERS STUDENT MEDIA ADVISER Stefanie Frith sfrith@elcamino.edu

PHOTO ADVISER

Nguyet Thomas nthomas@elcamino.edu

ADVERTISING MANAGER Jack Mulkey elcounionads000@yahoo.com

JOURNALISM PROFESSOR Kate McLaughlin kmclaughlin@elcamino.edu

INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANTS Gerard Burkhart gburkhart@elcamino.edu Joseph Difazio jdifazio@elcamino.edu Jessica Martinez jemartinez@elcamino.edu

CORRECTION POLICY:

The Union takes corrections and clarifications very seriously. If a correction is needed, email The Union at eccunion@gmail.com for all corrections and inquiries pertaining to a story.

EDITORIALS: Editorials represent the views of the The Union’s editorial board. Columns

Union staff thoughts: Thumbs up, thumbs down Thumbs down t o Title IX funding cuts on womens sports teams.

Thumbs up to the ECC police cadet team growing.

Thumbs down to poor communication with parking ticket reasonings.

Thumbs up to the Badminton Club’s perseverance by maintaining community.

represent the views of the writer. Neither are representations of what the newspaper staff, other students, our advisers, faculty or the administration think.

LETTERS AND GUEST COLUMN POLICY:

No more than two guest columns from the same person will be considered for publication or online use in the same semester, and 60 days must elapse before a second column is published. Guest columns should generally run 300-450 words. Letters to the editor should generally run no longer than 200 words. All columns and letters are subject to editing for length, grammar and style. They must be free of libel and in good taste. Publication or rejection of any column is at the sole discretion of the editorial board.

The Union is an award-winning, nationally recognized publication that prints on designated Thursdays by Journalism 11 and 14 students at El Camino College, Humanities 113, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90506, and is free to the student body and staff. The Union publishes daily online at eccunion.com.

The Union

By Maya Ochoa

I

Opinion

April 2, 2026

3

A New Pillar of Misogyny

n a world consumed by a digital hellscape where corners of misogyny find their way onto the feed of billions, inappropriate AI deepfakes have become yet another threat to women and girls, and it isn’t the first time AI has done such harm.

When Alysa Liu captured the hearts of millions at the 2026 Winter Olympics this past February through her enthusiastic performance and eventual gold medal win, many artists took to their social media to post stunning art of the 20-year-old figure skater.

This ranged from simple sketches to animations depicting her best moves on the ice, showcasing the admiration and love of Liu’s ever-growing fanbase.

However, while beautiful art continues to be crafted for the Olympian, more repugnant portrayals of Liu have appeared online.

4Chan, an anonymous image board website, is known for its minimal moderation, which has led to the exposure of extreme and far-right content. With such controversy at hand, 4Chan users have come together to produce several pornographic images of female Olympic athletes.Along with Liu, Amber Glenn, Isabeau Levito, Mikaela Shiffrin and Eileen Gu are among the female athletes who have fallen victim to non-consensual AIgenerated deepfakes, according to Cybernews.

In a disturbing article from UN

Women, the latest research has shown that deepfake pornography makes up 98% of all deepfake content, in which 99% of those videos targets women.

Furthermore, the total number of online deepfakes has increased by 55% in 2023 since 2019.

Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega had an interview with the New York Times in 2024, where she explained why she deleted her X account, stating she had seen “dirty edited content” of herself as a minor.

Fast forward to late 2025, the International Business Times reported that users on X began to prompt the chatbot Grok AI to generate sexualized images of women and girls.

One of the victims was 14-year-old “Stranger Things” actress Nell Fisher.

“I think it has a negative effect on women’s social self esteem, how they feel and how they interact with others.” journalism major Carmen Burnasky, 18, said.

“I think it makes them more nervous to put themselves in situations that can benefit them, such as talking to people, and going out because you never know when these people can take advantage of you.”

Although Congress passed the TAKE IT DOWN Act to hinder the creation of deepfakes, non-consensual content remains online. Women have fought hard for equality and protection, but for AI to be yet another hurdle it reveals that, unfortunately, there is more work that still needs to be done.

“I don’t mind AI if it’s for Google use.. if you’re doing something to research and ask questions, but doing that to use people’s faces and make weird content of them is disgusting,” creative arts major Yaslin Bazan,18, said about how AI’s negative impacts.

Illustration by Maya Ochoa

share their perspectives on Campus Viewpoints: Students the evolution of artificial intelligence

A

rtificial intelligence is a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension and problem-solving, according to the International Business Machine Corporation. As AI evolves, it is now something that is becoming increasingly utilized by college students, mainly for studying and homework assistance. Studies show that 92% of college students use AI as a study tool for coursework, according to a survey conducted by The Higher Education Policy Institute.

When it comes to media, AI has evolved in ways that make it hard to tell if a video is real or fake because of how its accuracy is constantly evolving. The Union sent reporters out on Wednesday, Feb 25, to ask the ECC community at large about their thoughts on AI use.

“I don’t think so, I feel a human has a right touch that a computer can never copy because there’s a lot of feeling that goes into it that can’t be replicated.”

Jacob Negron, 18, business major

Carrie Lockwood, art gallery associate

“I personally don’t like the idea of AI doing creative work… that’s personal. It is controversial, especially for the arts, because it’s supposed to be a personal, creative statement. The question would be how creative is it if it’s artificially generated? But these are my personal opinions.”

Sabrina Moore, 28, computer science program student

Gavriel Olshwang, 19, cognitive science major PASS mentor

Katherine Kallenback, 21, chemistry major

“I am definitely very worried about job retention... because AI is an economic reason for companies, there’s no incentive for them trying to make sure there’s an alternative for people who won’t be able to get unemployment. If they really do optimize AI and actually get good enough to replace people’s jobs, which they will try to do, what about the rest of us? There is no economic incentive for creating universal basic income that is also livable.”

“In AI research, I know of two different phenomena when you use AI. One is called upscaling, and the other is called downscaling.

Downscaling is what’s being encouraged right now, which is where the AI is at a level that’s way above you. So, for a topic, you wouldn’t be able to check the AI and be like, oh, this is wrong, because you don’t know how to say that it’s wrong, and you don’t even know if the information it’s giving you is correct or not. Upscaling is when you and AI are on the same level. So you can check each other and kind of use it like a tutor.”

“I have [used AI] before, but as of recently, no. I try to avoid it, but my dad uses it often, though. I think it’s gotten pretty bad because sometimes there’s videos that pop up that look really realistic. Then someone points out it’s AI and then I have to take a second look. It’s really bad! I think it can be dangerous.

That’s my official statement.”

Diocelina Ordonez, Maya Ochoa and Natalie Henry contributed to this viewpoint. To read the rest of the student viewpoints, visit eccunion.com

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NEWS

April 2, 2026

The Union

AI classes coming fall 2026, associates degree in the works

By Michelle Pentreath

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wo classes in artificial intelligence are rolling out in fall of 2026 as part of a broader effort in developing an AI associates degree at El Camino College.

The classes- AI fundamentals, and AI and Ethics-are offered through the Computer Information Systems department.

“We are beginning a process, baby steps at a time basically, but...the long term being an associate degree or bachelor’s degree,” said Professor Joanna Tang, a Computer Information Systems instructor.

The National Applied AI Consortium is a mentorship program that assists colleges in creating a curriculum to expand AI education.

ECC was selected to be a part of the program last year.

Google, Microsoft and Intel support the program by providing insight in real time to what their AI needs are within their companies.

Miami Dade College, Houston City College and Maricopa Community Colleges were among the first to participate in the program and are now serving as guides by sharing their developed AI curriculum, being transparent

Police Beat

By Maya Ochoa

Thursday, March 19, reported at 10:29 p.m.

Attempted vehicle burglary was reported in Lot F. The case resulted in an arrest.

Monday, March 23, reported at 2:13 p.m.

Lewd conduct was reported at the Humanities building. The case is closed Monday, March 23, reported at 2:35 p.m.

Lewd conduct and a trespass warning were reported in the Communications Building. The case resulted in an arrest.

Tuesday, March 24, reported at 12:35 p.m.

A drug law violation, driving without a license, and a trespass warning were reported in Lot F. The case resulted in an arrest.

Wednesday, March 25, reported at 8:51 p.m.

Lewd conduct, a drug law violation, and a trespass warning were reported at the Math, Business and Allied Health Building. The case resulted in an arrest.

The Union publishes police beats online with each newspaper release. Visit eccunion.com to read more.

El Camino College Computer Information Systems professor Hao Le assists a student with an artificial intelligence interface at the Math, Business, Allied Health on March 30. El Camino College is currently exploring the development of an associate degree in Artificial Intelligence through a partnership with the National Applied AI Consortium. Photo by Mun Leong

about what has and hasn’t worked for them.

Chief Integrated System Instructor Hac Le applied for the NAAIC mentorship program while Professor Khai Lou had already been working on AI classes with his team in the Computer Information Systems department (CIS).

The CIS program is now “I feel it is brilliant, it’s a teaching AI literacy, “how to brilliant move for the ECC really use AI , ethically, department. The goal is really efficiently, and responsibly… to expand access to artificial to use as a learning tool,” Le intelligence education,” Loic said.

Audusseau, Chief Technology Since then, other faculty Officer, said. members have joined in helping The team is also developing create the course curriculum for certifications. an AI associates degree.

A local Business, Industry,

and Leadership Team (BILT) is also being developed.

“To really inform us...what skills they need because we want a pathway to jobs for our students,” Le said.

AI degree working groups are also in the works with “a different emphasis and concentration,” said Le.

New AI technology coming to ECC to meet federal deadline Technology Committee approved AI platform to help disabled students

By Osvin Suazo El Camino College will soon allow AI to be used to make course materials more accessible for disabled students to meet federal standards that will go into effect on Friday, April 24.

This comes following a Te c h n o l o g y C o m m i t t e e meeting on Tuesday, March 17, that defined working groups to implement a district-wide administrative policy for artificial intelligence.

T ​ he centerpiece of this rollout is the early adoption of Nectir AI, an accessible platform that will provide specialized accommodations for students with disabilities.

Nectir AI allows instructors to build custom AI assistants that are trained specifically on their course syllabi and materials, providing students with a customized tutor that understands the specific requirements of their class. ​ To regulate these new technologies, the college has been implementing Administrative Procedure 3775.

This procedure coordinates the transition of AI into operational use across the district and regulates AI-related functions regardless of the

(L-R) El Camino College students Andrew Guerra, Sofia Estrada, and Ashly Nativi do English homework in the ECC Reading And Writing Studio. Photo by Lincoln Stock

user’s location or the devices being utilized. ​ As stated within the Education Uses section of AP3775, faculty may require evidence or citation of how generative AI was used in any coursework regardless of whether such use was in relation to an accommodation.

While the college provides the framework, the specific rules for AI usage varies from department to department ​In STEM courses, early AI models, such as Otter, often struggle to produce complex equations and mathematical concepts in transcriptions.

Newer tools such as Nectir AI are expected to bridge this gap, but their use will be strictly defined by department heads.

Many humanities courses currently exclude the use of AI

to protect academic integrity, while the arts department is generally more accepting of generative AI on a course-bycourse basis. ​Ultimately, the consequences for students misusing AI will be left to faculty discretion.

Distance Education Faculty Coordinator Moses Wolfenstein said that most of the time, communication about how AI is used between students and faculty is settled by talking it out.

T ​ o support the transition to AI fluency, extensive training will be provided to faculty.

Several dedicated courses are currently in development to ensure that students can navigate AI tools ethically and effectively.

Alexa Findlay, a tutor at the Reading and Writing Studio, is

already seeing the practical benefits of AI use with how the technology helps students with visual impairments.

She said that for a a student who is blind, AI can tell her if her shoes are matching when she takes a picture, helps her navigate the Internet by describing the cursor placement and read text to her out loud. ​While some students benefit from these advanced applications, others use standard tools for external tasks. ​”I mainly use AI for work; hardly ever for coursework,” said Miguel Casillas, 45, an undeclared major. “When I do use AI, it’s the free version or whatever is available.”

The Union

April 2, 2026

PHOTOS

5

Touch Some Grass

What ECC students do when they’re not in class or studying

A b o v e : (L-R) Computer engineering major Destiny Muguia, 20, and physics major Matteo Merlo, 19, sit under a tree while watching reels on the south side of the Schauerman Library on Monday, March 9.

Photo by Ryan Hirabayashi

Right: ECC student Hedy Garcia, 20, balances on a slack line at the Schauerman Library Lawn Wednesday, March 25 as part of a promotion for the Outdoors Club’s upcoming hiking trip. Photo by Kaitlyn Estrada

Top Left: (L-R) Biochemistry major Cassidy Whittle, 19, and English majors Ally Low, 20, Zoe Copley, 19, and C.C. Creasia, 23, discuss dating near the Schauerman Library on Wednesday, March 11. Photo

by Eleni Klostrakis Top Center: El Camino College students taking an art fundamentals class practice two point view drawing in front of the Schauerman Library on Tuesday, March 24. This is the second time they get to practice drawing outdoors this semester. Photo by Mun Leong.

Top Right: Tristan Rios, 25, mashes sage with a mortar and pestle outside the Art Gallery on Wednesday, March 25. “The sage powder boosts my mood and mental health,” Rios said. Photo by Lincoln Stock.

Bottom Right: El Camino College alumni Kristina Tiongco, 24, dances on bamboo tinikling sticks as part of a ECC Barkada Club demonstration outside the Social Justice Center ,Wednesday, March 25. Tinikling is folk dance from the Philippines, where dancers beat bamboo poles that could measure as long as 12 feet while two dancers move between them. It is meant to mimick the movements of a tikling bird. Photo by Patrick Martinez.

Students find time between class or on their way home to look up and experience the world around them. Some talk to friends, while others take a break and do the things they enjoy. Whatever the activity may be, people find common ground in activities one might call ”touching grass.” The Union sent students from Nguyet Thomas’ photojournalism class to capture what “touching grass” looks like in a time stamp project on Wednesday, March 25 at 1:45 p.m.

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ARTS

Indespensible: Meet the trades on campus

By Oriana de Quay

L

ining up to get gear and tools, rolling out clay, laying fabric onto a dress form mannequin: these are all part of a trade student’s routine.

These practices require students to be present and working with their hands.

El Camino College offers a variety of trade and skilled labor courses including construction, plumbing, electrical work, furniture building, welding, jewelry making, pottery, clothing design and more which may be safe from AI, for now.

In a survey of 1000 U.S business leaders conducted by resume.com, four in 10 companies plan to replace workers with AI by 2026.

The Union talked to students and instructors representing four trade courses to get their thoughts on how AI will affect their industries.

Ceramics Ceramics instructor Vince Palacios said that his work and career in clay is totally replaceable by artificial intelligence.

The ceramics industry is safe for about a decade, he said, but with ceramic printing machines, that will pose a threat to the industry.

“But, there is something beautiful about human to human interaction,” Palacios said.

April 2, 2026

The Union

CAN AI DO THE WORK OF TRADES? AI can make the cup, or the plate, or the vase; however, it robs you of the human experience, he said.

Welding In the cases of skilled labor such as welding, full-time instructor Jordan Ivie said, “I do see AI taking over a little bit

in some inspection roles, like smart inspection, but you still need people to man those types of machines.”

Welding major Nathan Christy, 19, who will begin working at SpaceX in April, said that he sees videos about how AI is taking over in the workplace; but regardless, a human would need to supervise

El Camino College student Juan Carlos De Guzman, a fashion design and production major, works to create a cowl neck dress in the ITEC building at ECC on Monday, March 30. Photo by Ryan Hirabayashi Artist Merilee Fletcher-Dodson prepares clay for her Art Gallery show taking place in November. “I really don’t think artists are replicable,” said FletcherDodson. Photo by Frances Que

it.“To be really successful in this career… it is about being versatile at a bunch of little [skills],” Christy said.

Fashion Professor Priscilla Ratcliff believes that AI can’t do the work of a fashion designer.

“They can’t sew on a sewing

machine. All they can do are the 3D measurements, and they’re not even doing that right,” she said.

Construction Te c h n o l o g y i n s t r u c t o r Ross Durand said zoning and building code documents could take days to interpret.

April 2, 2026

The Union

ARTS

7

Review: ‘TADC’ ups the ante with a villain b re a k d o w n

By Erica Lee

El Camino College student, Alexander De Alba, a welding major, works on a practice certification plate to become welding certified in the CAT building at ECC on Monday, March 30. Photo by Ryan Hirabayashi

“I know [AI] is an issue in other disciplines on campus,” Durand, who is also a member of the Academic Senate, said.

Most of his class is a lab that follows a lecture, where students can work with the machinery and materials to practice their techniques for woodworking and other adjacent disciplines.

The construction trade is hands-on and doesn’t typically give students an opportunity to even use AI. That being said, the trades are safe for now, but it is important that workers get to know their AI companions a little better moving forward.

Businesses surveyed in the construction firms in New

York and New Jersey plan to use AI in the future, with 47% expected to retraining existing workers to implement AI into the workplace.

“I view AI as a tool, just like a pocket knife or a hammer… you can misuse any tool,” Durand said.

“I view AI as a tool… you can misuse any tool.”

- Ross Durand, instructor

Psychological horror dramedy animated web series “The Amazing Digital Circus” release the highly anticipated episode eight, titled “hjsakldfhl”, which puts the viewer front-row center of a villainous nervous breakdown.

The episode, released Friday, March 20, was created by the independent animator and Yo u T u b e r k n o w n a s Gooseworx.

The series follows Pomni, voiced by Lizzie Freeman, an urban explorer who gets accidentally sent into a virtual reality circus game overseen

by Caine, voiced by Alex Rochon, an AI ringmaster.

Caine obliviously disregards the humans-turned-digital avatars trapped in the virtual world he oversees.

Together with trickster Jax, voiced by Michael Kovach, kindly Ragatha, voiced by Amanda Hufford, anxious Gangle, voiced by Marissa Lenti, Pomni venture into dangerous and seemingly pointless adventures organized by Caine.

To read more visit the website at: eccunion.com

Artists on AI: robots are no Picasso Artificial intelligence can’t displace the artwork of real humans

By Ana Gamez

S

tudio art major Jeremy Engel, 19, ran his pencil along the canvas, outlined key anatomy points and shaded in the ribcage of the model during professor Randall Bloomberg’s Life Drawing class at El Camino College.

Engel taught himself to draw at home through YouTube videos. In his sophomore year of high school, he moved to painting still life with watercolors and acrylics.

Engel has dedicated years learning to master these techniques. However, artificial intelligence picked it up in a matter of seconds.

To some students and staff on campus, AI can add to the life

of an artist, but for others they don’t recognize AI generated art as art. Over the past years, AI has dominated and infiltrated various industries and the art field is its latest victim.

F i n e a r t s i n s t r u c t o r, Bloomberg said that AI a tool of the present and the future.

“I don’t think we should be relying on it intensively.. nothing can ever replace a human hand or a human brain.

Those tools are gonna be able to produce some amazing things but you still need an artist to direct it,” Bloomberg said.

Art major Gavin Walz, 19, said art needs to have a purpose. “[Art] normally has a reason why someone wants to make it.

AI art is just, it’s nothing. It’s soulless,” Walz said.

(L to R) Arts majors Eugene Choi, 19, and Gavin Walz, 19, draw outside of the Arts Complex building on Tuesday, March 24. Walz said he thinks AI art is soulless. Photo by Frances Que.

A concern many artists have is how AI will impact the job market, with companies opting for cheaper alternatives rather than real designers or artists.

Photography professor Weng San Sit believes there are still jobs that AI can’t replace.

“There will still be a need for wedding photographers, people

who can capture memories for quinceañeras or birthdays, ” Sit said.

8

SPORTS

April 2, 2026

The Union

Desert Roadrunners put Warriors volleyball in the dust

By Juan-Carlos Cardoso L o n g B e a c h C i t y College Vikings in P e r s i s t e n c e a n d another match on the communication played same day.

The two double key roles in helping El Camino College beach competitive matches volleyball players were apart of the South Arden Templeton and Coast Conference, a Yasmine Itani secure a sports league for win at Court 5, but not community colleges in El Camino enough to wholly defeat Southern California.

Warriors ECC’s overall winCollege of the Desert.

Justine Sapitanan Despite bringing the lose ratio for the season rises for an energy to the El Camino is now 5-13. attack against Templeton and Itani College Sand Courts, the College of rallied after losing the the Warriors fell 4-1 to the Desert Roadrunners on first set to win 14-21, the Roadrunners Friday, Friday, March 27. March 27.

21-14 and 15-12, giving Photo by ECC its only point of In addition, the Kaitlyn Estrada Warriors also lost 5-0 to the match. The pair

adjusted their defense and stayed aggressive at the net, turning longer rallies into momentum as the match went on.

“When we were down, the biggest challenge was to keep encouraging each other and keep working hard so we could bring ourselves back,” Templeton said.

College of the Desert secured the team win with straight-set victories on the other four courts, using consistent serves and

limiting errors to control the tempo.

Despite the loss, the Warriors showed more cohesion than in previous matches. The bench remained active, with teammates calling out plays between points and celebrating after key sideouts, reflecting a group that was finding its rhythm.

“I think what we improved the most was our encouragement.

That really made the difference,” Templeton said.

Warriors Upcoming Schedule Men’s Baseball

El Camino (25-4) vs Mt. Sac (15-15) Away @ 1 p.m. April 2 El Camino (25-4) vs Mt. San Jacinto (17-13) Home @ 1 p.m. April 3 El Camino (25-4) vs Cerritos (18-12) Away @ 2 p.m. April 7

Women’s Softball El Camino (20-9) vs East LA (18-11) Home @ 2 p.m. April 2

El Camino (20-9) vs Citrus (22-10) Home @ 1 p.m. April 3 El Camino (20-9) vs LA Harbor (15-15) Home @ 2 p.m. April 7

Women’s Flag Football

El Camino (1-9) vs East LA (7-12) Home @ 1 p.m.

April 9

Swimming & Diving

Pasadena/East LA Invitational @ East LA Time TBA April 2-3

Track & Field

Triton Invitational @ UC San Diego Time TBA. April 3 El Camino Warriors pitcher and outfielder Jazmin McHenry readies herself for the pitch at the ECC softball field during a game against the Palomar College Comets on Wednesday, March 25. Photo by Riley Abrams.

Palomar Comets blaze past ECC Warriors in a shut-out

By Erica Lee

I

t was the bottom of the seventh inning, and Warriors utility Abigale Dedeche was waiting to make a run for home plate.

With one foot still on third base, she assumed a runner’s stance, ready to make a Hail Mary run for home.

But a flyout hit by her t e a m m a t e , Tr i n i t y Martinez, ended the game as Dedeche was steps away from scoring a run.

In the end, the El Camino College Warrior women’s softball team would be shut out 5-0 by the Palomar College Comets during a home g a m e We d n e s d a y,

March 25.

“I feel like, before the game, the energy was a little bit low after coming out of a loss the day before,” said Wa r r i o r s c a t c h e r Bryanna Morales.

The day before, the Warriors played a home game against the Long Beach City College Vikings on Tuesday, March 24, that ended with the Vikings sailing to a 9-4 win.

After Comet’s Kailey Dain scored a run during the first inning, the Warriors tried to hold them off with a steady 1-0 score.

Then the top of the fourth saw the Comets shoot past the Warriors with four hits and three

runs by Gisele Gonzalez, Taylor Armstrong and 8 Kristina Deal that raised the score to 4-0.

The Warriors managed to hold them off for three more innings, until Comets’ Alexis Huey got a run in after teammate Emma Schneider hit a sacrifice flyby into the field.

“I felt really good about our defense. We have one of the toughest schedules in California, and that’s on purpose so that we’re ready by the time playoffs come,” said Warriors coach Jessica Rapoza. “The hard part of the season is what makes us way tougher going into the playoffs. I schedule tough teams and we

Women’s Beach Volleyball

El Camino (5-13) vs Rio good competition for Hondo (4-10) Home @ 10 this game.” a.m. April 3 Despite a losing streak of six games that Men’s Volleyball wouldn’t be broken until El Camino (5-13) vs Thursday, March 26, Fullerton (11-7) Home @ “Coming into it, I when they beat Rio 6 p.m. April 3 knew it was going Hondo 14-0, the Warrior women’s softball team to be a good El Camino (5-13) vs still has a 20 to nine winSanta Monica (14-6) competition,” loss ratio for the season.

- Armstrong.

Away @ 6 p.m. April 8 “With them being a solid team, we did keep attempt to break the them from scoring a lot shut-out with a run to of runs, keeping it five home plate, but Comets’ to zero,” said Morales quick interception of the after the game. “It was a ball ended their chances. good game overall… we “Coming into it, I knew used this game as a it was going to be a good learning moment.” competition,” said Armstrong. “The teams up here are definitely better than we play at El Camino Warriors Bryanna Morales catches pitch from from teammate home, so I was super Mahlia Espino on March 25, 2026. excited to have some Photo by Riley Abrams. schedule them back to back to back.”

The bottom of the sixth and seventh innings saw the Warriors