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Overview
This lesson will teach students about ethical uses of artificial intelligence. They will identify responsible AI use and consider when AI is an appropriate tool for their work.
Grade level
6-12
Time
50-minutes
Materials
You can find a supplemental vocabulary list here.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Explain the ethical usage of AI and the importance of using ethical principles.
- Determine responsible and irresponsible use of AI.
- Understand transparency, accuracy, ethical considerations regarding AI generated content.
- Be able to debate ethical dilemmas around using AI in the real world and suggest solutions.
Warm-up activity
Discussion questions
- What are three reasons to be honest and responsible when using AI? (Answer —To build trust, to avoid issues at school or work, to utilize AI as a helper and not a replacement for critical thinking and creativity.)
- What can happen if people don’t disclose when they use generative AI? (Answer — People who see the material could feel tricked, misinformation can spread, work may be poor quality (AI slop).)
Watch the video
AI Unlocked: Using AI responsibly
Main activity
Display these guiding questions while viewing the “Using AI responsibly” video and have students answer on a sheet of paper along the way.
- What are three rules for using AI responsibly? (Answer — Be honest, only use the tool as a helper, think carefully about when to use AI and when not to.)
- Why should someone disclose the use of generative AI? (Answer — It's responsible and ethical. It also helps with building trust.)
- What is one way A.I. can be helpful and what is one way it can be harmful. (Answer — It can help with brainstorming. It can cause harm when its outputs go unchecked.)
- AI Slop! Why should we be on the look out for it? (Answer — AI slop is low-quality outputs that are misleading or harmful.)
- Why is fact-checking generative A.I. outputs important? (Answer — Hallucinations can occur. Fact-checking helps ensure accuracy.)
Debrief
Ask students to pair into small groups and discuss the answers to the questions they completed while watching the video.
As a class, discuss the following:
- Why would someone not want to disclose when they use AI? (Answer — Fear of being judged, loss of credibility, or fear of getting into trouble.)
- Why is transparency important? (Answer — Builds trust and helps audiences evaluate accuracy of information.)
- What ethical challenges arise if someone uses generative AI? (Answer — Unknowingly spreading of misinformation or deepfakes.)
- Should generative AI uses be disclosed? Why or why not? (Answer — Yes, helps your audience better understand what is real vs what was output by AI.)
- What is one rule you think is most important for using AI responsibly? (Answer — Always disclose, use as a helper tool, fact-check everything it outputs)
Standards
Reading informational text
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4;
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.4;
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.4;
RI.9-10.1, RI.9-10.2, RI.9-10.4;
RI.11-12.1, RI.11-12.2, RI.11-12.4
Writing
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.6.1b, W.6.2d, W.6.7;
W.7.1a-e, W.7.2a-b, W.7.7;
W.8.1a-c, W.8.2a-c, W.8.7;
W.9-10.1a-d, W.9-10.2a-d, W.9-10.7;
W.11-12.1a-c, W.11-12.2a-d
Speaking and listening
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.6.1a-d, SL.6.4;
SL.7.1a-d, SL.7.4;
SL.8.1b-d, SL.8.4;
SL.9-10.1a-d, SL.9-10.4;
SL.11-12.1b-d, SL.11-12.4
Language
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.4, L.6.6;
L.7.4, L.7.6;
L.8.4, L.8.6;
L.9-10.4, L.9-10.6;
L.11-12.4, L.11-12.6
ISTE
ISTE 1.2 Digital Citizen
ISTE 1.3 Knowledge Constructor
Media literacy standards
Analyze the role of AI in shaping online content.
Evaluate sources for credibility, transparency, and accuracy.
These videos and lessons were developed by the Poynter Institute’s MediaWise and the Teen Fact-Checking Network in partnership with PBS News Student Reporting Labs. This partnership has been made possible through our collaboration with the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation.
