AI Ethics Lesson Plan for Class 8

Duration: 30 minutes

Lesson Title: Understanding AI Ethics through Debate

Summary: Students will participate in a debate to gain awareness of the ethical concerns
regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Objectives:

1. Gain awareness of ethical concerns about AI.

2. Critically think about the costs and benefits of AI technology.

Learning Outcomes:

3. Describe some ethical concerns of AI with respect to inclusion, bias, and privacy.
4. Be able to evaluate the costs and benefits of AI technology.

Materials Needed:

 Computer/Tablet with Internet Access

 Projector or Smartboard for demonstration
 Printable handouts with ethical scenarios related to AI
 Markers, pens, and pencils
 Worksheet for recording arguments and reflections

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction to AI Ethics (5 minutes)

Greeting and Objective Introduction (2 minutes)

 Greeting: Welcome the students to the class.

 Objective: Explain that today’s lesson will focus on understanding the ethical concerns
related to AI through a debate format.

Overview of AI Ethics (3 minutes)

 Explanation: Briefly explain the concept of ethics and why it is important in the context
of AI. Highlight key ethical concerns such as:
 o Inclusion: Ensuring AI technologies are accessible and beneficial to all groups in
society.
o Bias: Avoiding discrimination and unfair treatment resulting from biased AI
algorithms.
o Privacy: Protecting individuals' personal data and maintaining confidentiality.

2. Preparing for the Debate (10 minutes)

Form Groups and Assign Roles (2 minutes)

 Group Formation: Divide students into two groups: one group will argue in favor of AI
(Pro) and the other will argue against AI (Con). Each group will further divide into
smaller teams to focus on specific ethical concerns: inclusion, bias, and privacy.
 Roles: Assign roles within each group, such as speaker, researcher, and note-taker.

Research and Discussion (8 minutes)

 Research: Provide each group with a handout outlining different ethical scenarios related
to AI. Allow them to use computers/tablets to find additional information.
 Discussion: Within their groups, students will discuss the ethical scenarios and prepare
arguments for their side (Pro or Con). Encourage them to consider both the costs and
benefits of AI technology.

3. Conducting the Debate (10 minutes)

Debate Format and Rules (2 minutes)

 Explanation: Explain the format of the debate:

o Each small team within the Pro group will present their argument for a specific
ethical concern (e.g., inclusion).
o The corresponding small team within the Con group will then present their
counter-argument.
o Each team will have 2 minutes to present their argument, followed by a 1-minute
rebuttal from the opposing team.
 Rules: Emphasize respectful listening and constructive arguments.

Debate Activity (8 minutes)

 Presentation: Each small team presents their arguments and rebuttals as per the format.
 Moderation: Act as the moderator to ensure the debate runs smoothly and time limits are
adhered to.
4. Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)

Recap and Key Takeaways (3 minutes)

 Recap: Summarize the key points discussed in the debate:

o The importance of inclusion, avoiding bias, and ensuring privacy in AI.
o The potential costs and benefits of AI technology.
 Key Takeaways: Highlight that ethical considerations are crucial for the responsible
development and use of AI.

Reflection Worksheet (2 minutes)

 Distribute Worksheet: Hand out a worksheet with reflective questions for students to
complete:
o "What are the main ethical concerns you learned about today?"
o "Which argument in the debate did you find most convincing and why?"
o "How do you think we can balance the benefits of AI with the need to address
ethical concerns?"

Discussion Questions and Sample Answers

1. "What are the main ethical concerns you learned about today?"

Sample Answer: The main ethical concerns I learned about today include privacy, bias,
accountability, and job displacement. Privacy issues arise from the extensive data collection and
surveillance capabilities of AI systems. Bias is a significant concern because AI can perpetuate
and even amplify existing prejudices present in the data it is trained on, leading to unfair
outcomes. Accountability is problematic as it can be challenging to determine who is responsible
for decisions made by AI systems. Finally, job displacement is a major concern, as automation
could lead to significant unemployment in various sectors.

2. "Which argument in the debate did you find most convincing and why?"

Sample Answer: The argument that I found most convincing was the one highlighting the
potential of AI to enhance efficiency and productivity. The example of AI in healthcare, where
AI systems can quickly and accurately diagnose diseases from medical images, stood out to me.
This application demonstrates how AI can save lives and improve health outcomes. Moreover,
the argument was strengthened by the idea that AI can handle large volumes of data and perform
tasks that would be time-consuming or impossible for humans, thereby freeing up human
workers to focus on more complex and creative tasks.
3. "How do you think we can balance the benefits of AI with the need to address ethical
concerns?"

Sample Answer: Balancing the benefits of AI with the need to address ethical concerns requires
a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, we need robust regulations and policies that ensure
transparency, fairness, and accountability in AI systems. This includes creating standards for
data collection and usage to protect privacy and mitigate bias. Secondly, there should be ongoing
ethical training and education for AI developers and users to foster a culture of responsibility and
awareness. Additionally, involving diverse stakeholders in the development process can help
ensure that different perspectives and potential impacts are considered. Lastly, investing in
research to continually improve AI technologies and address their limitations is crucial for
achieving a balance between benefits and ethical considerations.

Homework Assignment (Optional)

 Research Project: Ask students to write a short essay on an ethical concern related to AI
that interests them. They should discuss the concern in detail and suggest possible
solutions for addressing it.

Note to Teacher:

 Be prepared to assist students with understanding ethical concepts and guiding them in
their research and argument preparation.
 Encourage students to think critically and engage in respectful debate.
 Adapt explanations to the students' understanding level.

Notes for Teachers: AI Ethics Pros and Cons

Introduction to AI Ethics

 Definition: AI ethics is the branch of ethics that examines the moral implications of
artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications.
 Importance: Understanding AI ethics is crucial as AI systems increasingly influence
various aspects of our lives, from healthcare to criminal justice, and from education to
employment.

Pros of AI

1. Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity:

o Automation: AI can automate routine tasks, reducing human error and increasing
efficiency.
o Decision-Making: AI can analyze large volumes of data quickly to assist in
making informed decisions.
 2. Medical Advancements:
o Diagnostics: AI systems can analyze medical images and data to detect diseases
at early stages.
o Personalized Treatment: AI can tailor treatments based on individual patient
data.

3. Improved Accessibility:
o Education: AI-powered tools can provide personalized learning experiences.
o Accessibility Tools: AI can help people with disabilities through speech-to-text,
text-to-speech, and other assistive technologies.

4. Safety and Security:

o Surveillance: AI can enhance security through advanced surveillance and threat
detection.
o Disaster Response: AI can predict natural disasters and assist in response efforts.

5. Economic Growth:
o Innovation: AI drives innovation, creating new industries and job opportunities.
o Optimization: Businesses can optimize operations and reduce costs through AI
applications.

Cons of AI

1. Ethical Concerns:
o Bias and Discrimination: AI systems can perpetuate or even exacerbate biases
present in training data.
o Privacy: AI's ability to collect and analyze personal data raises significant privacy
concerns.

2. Job Displacement:
o Automation: Many jobs, especially those involving repetitive tasks, are at risk of
being automated, leading to potential unemployment.
o Skill Gaps: The demand for new skills may outpace the ability of workers to
retrain.

3. Accountability and Transparency:

o Decision-Making: It can be challenging to understand and explain decisions
made by complex AI systems.
o Liability: Determining accountability for AI errors or malfunctions can be
complex.

4. Security Risks:
o Cybersecurity: AI systems themselves can be vulnerable to hacking and
manipulation.
o Weaponization: There are concerns about the use of AI in autonomous weapons
and warfare.
 5. Dependence and Autonomy:
o Over-Reliance: Over-reliance on AI can lead to a reduction in critical thinking
and problem-solving skills.
o Control: Ensuring that humans remain in control of AI systems is a major
concern.

Discussion Points

 Balancing Benefits and Risks: How can society balance the benefits of AI with the
ethical and social risks?
 Regulation and Governance: What types of regulations and policies are needed to
govern AI development and use?
 Future of Work: How should education and workforce development adapt to the
changes brought by AI?
 Global Implications: Consider the global impact of AI, including how different
countries approach AI ethics and regulation.

Activities and Resources

 Case Studies: Analyze real-world examples of AI applications to discuss ethical

implications.
 Debates: Organize debates on controversial AI topics, such as surveillance or
autonomous vehicles.
 Guest Speakers: Invite experts in AI and ethics to speak with students.
 Further Reading: Provide a list of books, articles, and online resources for students to
explore AI ethics in more depth.

By addressing both the pros and cons of AI and facilitating thoughtful discussions, teachers can
help students understand the complex ethical landscape of AI and prepare them for the future.

Case Studies for AI Ethics

1. Facial Recognition Technology

 Example: Use of facial recognition by law enforcement agencies.

 Ethical Implications:
o Privacy: Concerns about surveillance and the right to privacy.
o Bias: Issues with accuracy, particularly with people of color, leading to wrongful
identifications and arrests.
o Accountability: Determining responsibility for errors in identification.

2. AI in Healthcare

 Example: AI systems used to diagnose diseases from medical images.

 Ethical Implications:
 o Accuracy: The potential for misdiagnosis and the reliability of AI
recommendations.
o Bias: Training data might not represent diverse populations, leading to biased
outcomes.
o Privacy: Handling of sensitive patient data and ensuring its protection.

3. Autonomous Vehicles

 Example: Self-driving cars developed by companies like Tesla and Waymo.

 Ethical Implications:
o Safety: Determining who is liable in the event of an accident involving an
autonomous vehicle.
o Decision-Making: Ethical dilemmas in decision-making algorithms, such as
prioritizing the safety of passengers versus pedestrians.
o Job Displacement: Impact on employment in driving-related professions.

4. AI in Hiring Practices

 Example: AI algorithms used by companies like Amazon to screen job applicants.

 Ethical Implications:
o Bias: Algorithms may inherit biases from training data, leading to unfair
discrimination against certain groups.
o Transparency: Lack of transparency in how decisions are made, making it
difficult for applicants to contest decisions.
o Accountability: Determining who is responsible for biased hiring decisions.

5. Social Media Algorithms

 Example: Recommendation algorithms used by platforms like Facebook and YouTube.

 Ethical Implications:
o Manipulation: Algorithms designed to maximize engagement can spread
misinformation and polarize public opinion.
o Privacy: Extensive data collection on users to refine recommendations.
o Mental Health: Impact on users' mental health due to exposure to addictive
content.

6. AI in Criminal Justice

 Example: Predictive policing tools used to allocate police resources.

 Ethical Implications:
o Bias: Potential to reinforce existing biases and disproportionately target minority
communities.
o Transparency: Lack of transparency in how risk assessments are conducted.
o Accountability: Responsibility for wrongful predictions and their consequences
on individuals' lives.
Discussion Points for Each Case Study

1. Identify Stakeholders: Who are the affected parties in each scenario? Consider
individuals, organizations, and society at large.
2. Analyze Risks and Benefits: What are the potential benefits and risks associated with
the AI application? How do they balance?
3. Consider Regulations: What regulations or policies could mitigate the ethical concerns?
Are current regulations sufficient?
4. Debate Solutions: What solutions can be proposed to address the ethical implications?
How can we ensure ethical AI development and deployment?
5. Reflect on Accountability: Who should be held accountable for ethical breaches in AI
applications? How can accountability be ensured?

By exploring these case studies, students can develop a deeper understanding of the ethical
challenges posed by AI and engage in meaningful discussions on how to address them.

Resources for Exploring AI Ethics in Depth

Books

1. "Artificial Intelligence: A Guide for Thinking Humans" by Melanie Mitchell

o An accessible introduction to the field of AI and its implications for society.
2. "Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens
Democracy" by Cathy O'Neil
o A critical look at how algorithms can perpetuate social injustices.
3. "The Ethical Algorithm: The Science of Socially Aware Algorithm Design" by
Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth
o Discusses how to design algorithms that are fair and ethical.
4. "Artificial Unintelligence: How Computers Misunderstand the World" by Meredith
Broussard
o Explores the limitations of AI and the consequences of its misuse.
5. "Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies" by Nick Bostrom
o Examines the potential risks and ethical considerations of advanced AI.

Articles

1. "The Ethical Dilemma of AI: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility" by Tim

Dutton
o Discusses the ethical challenges of AI development and use.
o Read it here

2. "Artificial Intelligence — The Revolution Hasn’t Happened Yet" by Kai-Fu Lee

o Analyzes the impact of AI on society and the economy.
o Read it here

3. "Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics" by Vincent C. Müller

 o A comprehensive overview of the ethical issues in AI and robotics.
o Read it here

4. "The AI Ethics Guidelines Global Inventory" by AlgorithmWatch

o A review of various AI ethics guidelines from around the world.
o Read it here

5. "Fairness and Abstraction in Sociotechnical Systems" by Selbst et al.

o Explores the complexities of fairness in AI systems.
o Read it here

Online Resources

1. AI Ethics Lab
o Offers resources, case studies, and tools for understanding and applying AI ethics.
o Visit AI Ethics Lab
2. The Partnership on AI
o A collaborative effort to promote responsible AI, with numerous resources and
research.
o Visit The Partnership on AI
3. AI Now Institute
o Conducts interdisciplinary research on the social implications of AI.
o Visit AI Now Institute
4. The Future of Life Institute
o Focuses on mitigating existential risks from AI and other technologies.
o Visit The Future of Life Institute
5. AI4ALL
o Works to increase diversity and inclusion in AI, with resources and educational
programs.
o Visit AI4ALL

By exploring these books, articles, and online resources, students can gain a deeper
understanding of AI ethics and engage with the latest discussions and research in the field.