The Intersection of Tradition and Technology
AI is an emerging technology that, like all new things, understandably creates confusion, concern, and skepticism. However, if AI can help solve global challenges like disease, hunger, and depression, these systems are worth their weight in gold.
As someone with a deep tech background—working for one of the first Internet Service Providers in Pennsylvania in 1992 and holding a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology—I know AI is not going away. How we use it is what makes it “good” or “bad.”
My goal is to ensure that while we embrace these tools, we never lose the human touch that defines the fiber arts.
The Naztazia Integrity Checklist
To protect the soul of the fiber arts, I follow a strict set of rules for how technology is—and isn’t—used at Naztazia:
| Usage | Rule |
|---|---|
| Yarn & Blanket Calculators | YES. AI assists with the math and coding for these tools. |
| Pattern Grading | YES. AI helps convert vintage XS patterns into modern 2XL sizes. |
| Color Theory | YES. AI helps brainstorm unique and complementary palettes. |
| Handmade Imagery | NO. AI should not create “fake” images of stitches or finished items. |
| Video Production | NO. AI will not replace the human hands or voice in my tutorials. |
| Design Ownership | NO. AI will never replace a human designer at Naztazia. |
Notice the checklist grid above? That interactive table and its technical logic were developed in collaboration with Google’s Gemini AI to ensure accuracy and professional presentation.
The Genuinely Real Standard
I never thought I’d be in a position where I have to prove I’m a real person, but here we are. To ensure you always know you are learning from a human:
The Talking Head: I now appear usually in the corner of my videos to verify my identity.
The “Beagle” Factor: I no longer pick out the dog hairs from my stitches or hide the age spots on my hands with makeup. These “imperfections” are my human signature.
Transparency: I use Google’s Gemini to assist with creating specific technical tools, such as the yarn and blanket calculators found on my Resources page.
Environmental Responsibility
My perspective is deeply shaped by my home in Northeastern Pennsylvania. From the banks of the Susquehanna River to the high-tension lines near my backyard in the Scranton area, the physical requirements of AI are no longer abstract concepts—they are local realities. Every digital “action” we take with AI has a physical “reaction” in the real world.
As a former Data Engineering professional, I recognize that the “Cloud” is actually made of high-density hardware that generates immense heat. To keep these processors from failing, data centers require industrial-scale cooling. It is important to clarify that this isn’t a matter of “pouring water into computers”; rather, it is a process of evaporative cooling and heat exchange. Staggering amounts of water are used to carry heat away from the facility—often pulled from local resources like the Lake Scranton reservoir. In fact, training a single large AI model can consume hundreds of thousands of gallons of water before the first prompt is ever answered.
Beyond water, the demand for consistent, high-output energy is leading to a new era of infrastructure. We are currently seeing communities like Carbondale and Mayfield proactively drafting zoning laws for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to power these facilities. I believe in a neutral, analytical approach to this growth: acknowledging the incredible creative partnership AI provides while remaining transparent about the land, power, and water required to sustain it.
Recommended Reading & My Local Context
Environmental Fact-Check: How AI models “consume” water for cooling (Associated Press)
Regional Impact: Project Gravity and the Data Center Boom in Lackawanna County (WVIA News)
Local Infrastructure: Proactive SMR and Data Center Zoning in Carbondale (The Times-Tribune)
If you have any questions, I am always available through my Contact Page.
Thank you for being part of this community where tradition meets technology.
Handmade with heart. Human-led by design.
Disclaimer & Fair Use Notice:
This page features screenshots of the Google Gemini interface for educational and illustrative purposes to demonstrate my collaborative workflow. Naztazia® is an independent maker brand. This website is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google, including through its advertising programs. All trademarks, service marks, and logos are the property of their respective owners. Technical logic and code snippets were developed in collaboration with Gemini AI and are documented here under the Genuinely Real transparency standard.
Last Updated: February 2026