NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this bell ringer activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
The rise of artificial intelligence has sparked concerns across various sectors, including employment, education and national security. But one Kentucky county is taking a different approach, using the technology to boost something far more human: civic engagement. Judy Woodruff reports on an experiment that revealed surprising levels of agreement. It’s part of her series, America at a Crossroads.
View the transcript of the story.
News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Where in Kentucky is this initiative taking place?
- What is "Sensemaker," and how does it work to gather and analyze community voices?
- Why might the opinions shared at town hall meetings not fully represent the views of the entire community?
- Who is Daniel Tarnagda, and how is he supporting young immigrants as they adapt to life in Bowling Green?
- How does "Sensemaker" enable broader participation and reduce barriers for people who cannot attend traditional town hall meetings?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
- Do you think AI can help us make more informed decisions as a society? If so, in what ways? If not, explain why.
- How do you feel about AI being used to analyze human opinions and experiences? Do you think AI is capable of doing this accurately and responsibly?
Media literacy: What are the dangers of accepting a single story about how AI is shaping the world? Why is it important to expose ourselves to a variety of perspectives on both the benefits and potential risks of AI?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Assignment: Break into small groups and brainstorm an idea for an AI tool that could help improve how student voices are heard at your school.
Once your group has an idea, create a poster (using either paper or a digital platform like Canva) that explains how your AI tool works, as well as how it helps to amplify student voices and address important concerns of the student body.
Your poster should also include:
- A creative name for your AI tool
- An explanation as to why your group chose this particular design or approach
- A description of how your group envisions the tool being implemented or used at your school
- Visuals such as photographs, illustrations, or graphs
Written by Brooke Ingemi, PBS News Hour Classroom's intern and senior at Amherst College, and News Hour's Vic Pasquantonio.
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