Artificial Intelligence (AI) Awareness Lesson

Have you ever talked to Siri or Alexa? 

Have you ever said, “Hey Google?”

Well, now meet Archie - the AI dog!

Ever used a website or app to play around with coding? Do you have a phone with face identification that can unlock it? Did you know that it uses AI? AI stands for artificial intelligence, and it’s around us more than we realize. Using AI, computers (even the computers in our phones) can do things that would normally have to have been done by people.  Some other examples of AI use would be when you use a streaming service to watch a movie, and it shows other movies that are recommended. This is based on what you’ve previously watched, and the computer thinks the movies are similar and you might enjoy them. 

Weird huh?


When on a website, have you seen a chat box in the corner? Usually, that’s answered by AI and not by a real person.

When you look up a topic on an internet search engine (Google, for example), the search engine ranks your results by using AI. There are so many ways that we use AI in our daily lives that we don’t even realize we’re doing it. Using ChatGPT and similar programs can help you with your writing, but we have to be careful not to overuse it. We want to use it to assist in the writing process, not to do the writing process for us.

Here are some data and tips for using AI safely and responsibly. 

ethical implications of ai

Ethical Implications of AI, Including Bias and Privacy Concerns

One of the concerns with AI is the ethical implications surrounding its use.

Why is that?

Well, people put computer algorithms in place. We have to make sure that the people who put that knowledge in place aren’t biased in their information. It could even happen accidentally, but it’s important to be aware of. When AI systems are developed, those developers need to be responsible with their use of technology. Sometimes, though, AI can make mistakes because it learns from old information that might not be fair. For example, if a computer learns from old hiring practices, it might unfairly favor one group of people over another. People are working hard to make sure AI is fair and transparent. They want to make sure AI systems explain why they make certain decisions so that we can trust them.


 

 

Privacy and Security Concerns

Privacy and Security Concerns

Another big concern surrounding AI is its responsibility for user privacy.

Have you ever wondered if your Alexa, Google Nest, or phone is picking up what you’re saying?

It's definitely something to be aware of.

As AI systems have the capability to gather and examine massive quantities of data about individuals, there is a growing apprehension regarding the privacy and security of personal information. The vast amount of data collected by AI systems could be subject to misuse or breaches, thereby creating concerns about the safety and security of personal data.


 

Loss of human jobs

Loss of Human Jobs

If you had to go to court, would you want your judge to be a robot using AI? It’s something that might be possible in the future. There is concern that some job roles might be phased out to use AI instead of humans for those jobs. We don’t know what the future holds, but it’s important for us to be aware of how AI could impact careers in the future. The impact of AI on society influences many aspects of our world.  Don't worry, though! AI also creates new types of jobs. These are often about working with computers and data. For example, you might become a data analyst or work on designing AI systems. You'll need to learn new skills to get these cool new jobs. Schools and programs are starting to teach more about computers and technology to help you get ready for these jobs. Humans are still really important when it comes to making big decisions. Even though AI is smart, we still need to guide it and make sure it's doing the right thing.


 

Can Robots be Bad? 

AI has become an integral part of our world, from helping us with internet searches to powering advanced robotics. However, with great power comes great responsibility, and that's where we come into play. While AI has many benefits, there is also the potential for misuse and unplanned consequences. One concern is the use of AI for bad purposes, like spreading misinformation or fake videos, which could cause harm. Some worry about the possibility of AI being used for malicious purposes, such as cyber-attacks or other forms of harm. These concerns highlight the need for responsible development and deployment of AI, with appropriate safeguards in place to protect individuals and society as a whole.

NEXT UP: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Awareness Training

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