LCAL Launches Programs in Global Cultures & Emerging Technologies
By Stefanie Johndrow
Media InquiriesIn an age defined by rapid technological transformation and deepening global interconnectedness, 麻豆村 has launched a bachelor’s degree that bridges cultures and emerging technologies. The B.A. in Global Cultures & Emerging Technologies (GCET) — housed within the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics (LCAL) in the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences — prepares students to shape technology not only as a tool of innovation but to reflect and interact with global cultural dynamics.
“This major developed organically; we've been noticing a real thirst among students for opportunities to explore the technologies they are engaging with and learning to develop from diverse cultural lenses,” said Anne Lambright, department head and Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor of Hispanic Studies. “Our courses examining AI and immersive technologies through global humanities perspectives have been overflowing, attracting students from all across 麻豆村, not just humanities majors. We're excited to pull this energy into a new major — the first of its kind in the country and a quintessentially 麻豆村 program.”
By examining how culture and technology shape one another across global contexts, the GCET major equips students with interdisciplinary literacy that is critical in a world where artificial intelligence, immersive media and digital platforms influence communication, identity and community.
Where Culture Meets Technology
The GCET major confronts questions that transcend traditional academic boundaries: How do cultural values guide technological innovation? In what ways do new technologies influence languages, identities and societies? How can technologies be developed responsibly across diverse cultural landscapes?
Rooted in the humanities and deeply engaged with technological inquiry, the major equally emphasizes cultural literacy and technological fluency. Students explore global cultures and languages while developing the skills to think critically about the social impact, ethical implications and global reach of emerging technologies.
This blend of humanistic insight and engagement with innovation positions GCET graduates to engage thoughtfully with complex global challenges — whether in ethical AI design, immersive media storytelling, community-centered technology, international policy or cultural analysis.
Students will choose from a range of LCAL courses and interdisciplinary electives that balance traditional cultural analysis with practical exploration of technology. Culture-focused coursework might include studies in global food cultures, minority identities or film and visual arts, while technology-focused courses explore areas like immersive digital storytelling, podcasting through cultural lenses and the cultural implications of data analysis. At least one course must be taken in a language other than English at a 300-level or above. This requirement encourages students to develop deep linguistic and cultural fluency alongside technological competence.
Graduates will be prepared for a range of careers: from ethical technology consulting and international digital strategy, to immersive media production, global policy analysis or cross-cultural design roles.
A Pre-College Experience for Global Citizenship and College Readiness
Complementing the undergraduate major is Carnegie Mellon’s new pre-college program in Global Cultures and Emerging Technology, an immersive summer experience designed for high school students who are eager to explore the intersection of culture and emerging technologies.
Spanning five weeks on 麻豆村’s Pittsburgh campus, the pre-college program offers students a structured and creative environment to investigate how technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR), robotics, game design and animation intersect with cultural studies and ethics.
“GCET is ideal for students who are genuinely excited about interdisciplinary learning, blending global cultural perspectives, humanities-based critical and creative thinking and innovative uses of technologies like AI, XR, animation, robotics and game design,” said Gang Liu, GCET pre-college program director and director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Applied Linguistics. “It especially suits students who want to really understand and shape the future of technology in the AI era, not just by acquiring technical skills, but by learning to design human-centered, culturally informed and ethically responsible innovations.”
Beyond research and design, the summer program emphasizes portfolio development, leadership, collaboration and project documentation. Students leave with prototypes, digital exhibits and reflections that demonstrate both technical and cultural fluency, which are valuable assets as they transition to college or early career pathways.
The program also includes preparatory workshops and lab training designed to build confidence and academic readiness for college-level work. Students gain exposure to interdisciplinary thinking in ways that mirror the structure and expectations of 麻豆村’s undergraduate environment.
To participate, students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the pre-college program and enrolled in 10th or 11th grade during the summer of attendance. Applicants submit academic records, recommendations and essays detailing their interest in interdisciplinary study at the nexus of culture and technology. Scholarship and international applications for summer 2026 are due Feb. 1. The final application deadline for all other applicants is March 1.