Artificial Intelligence

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

Artificial Intelligence conjures up all sorts of images – perhaps you think of friendly systems that can talk to you and solve tough problems; or maniac robots that are bent on world domination? There's the promise of driverless cars that are safer than human drivers, and the worry of medical advice systems that hold people's lives in their virtual hands. The field of Artificial Intelligence is a part of computer science that has a lot of promise and also raises a lot of concerns. It can be used to make decisions in systems as large as an airplane or an autonomous dump truck, or as small as a mobile phone that accurately predicts text being typed into it. What they have in common is that they try to mimic aspects of human intelligence. And importantly, such systems can be of significant help in people's everyday lives.

AI (also known as intelligent systems) is primarily a branch of computer science but it has borrowed a lot of concepts and ideas from other fields, especially mathematics (particularly logic, combinatorics, statistics, probability and optimization theory), biology, psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, and philosophy.

In this chapter, we'll explore a range of these intelligent systems. Inevitably this will mean dealing with ethical and philosophical issues too – do we really want machines to take over some of our jobs? Can we trust them? Might it all go too far one day? What do we really mean by a computer being intelligent? While we won't address these questions directly in this chapter, gaining some technical knowledge about AI will enable you to make more informed decisions about the deeper issues.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 09-12

DLCS18.HS.23

Debate the positive and negative effects of computing innovations in personal, ethical, social, economic, and cultural spheres.

UP:DLCS18.HS.23

Vocabulary

  • innovation
  • ethics
  • social
  • economic

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to discuss positive and negative effects of computing innovations in multiple contexts.
  • that changes in computing innovations can have a range of effects in many contexts.
  • how to communicate their beliefs about computing innovations and the effects caused by advances.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • recognize that innovations can have both positive and negative consequences.
  • identify positive and negative effects of innovation.
  • communicate support for or against innovation.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • advancements can also have drawbacks.
  • we are in a state of change that will require adaptation and education to be a constant.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 09-12

DLCS18.HS.35

Appraise the role of artificial intelligence in guiding software and physical systems.

UP:DLCS18.HS.35

Vocabulary

  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning
  • physical systems
  • guiding software

Knowledge

Students know:
  • artificial intelligence plays a role in all industries from healthcare to automotive and finance to military.
  • there are philosophical and ethical questions related to artificial intelligence.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • research the roles that artificial intelligence have in guiding software and physical systems.
  • describe ethical and philosophical issues of artificial intelligence roles in society.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • there are positive and negative aspects to the science of artificial intelligence and how it is applied in industries, science, and society.
  • ethical, moral, and philosophical issues must continually be evaluated as artificial intelligence grows in application.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

CS Field Guide

License Type

Attribution Share Alike
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