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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe uses of AI and explain the impacts of the technology.

      Key learning points

      1. AI technology can be used for a variety of purposes.
      2. AI applications can have both positive and negative impacts.
      3. AI applications and technology are constantly evolving.
      4. AI systems do not think or make decisions like humans.

      Keywords

      • Application - putting something to use, or a thing that is being used for a specific purpose

      • System - a set of connected parts that work together as a whole to perform a function or achieve a goal

      • Social - how people interact, live, and communicate with one another in groups or communities

      • Ethical - doing what is right, fair and morally good

      Common misconception

      AI can think and make decisions like humans.

      AI systems have no awareness or emotions and do not think or understand in the way humans do. AI systems process data and follow patterns or rules based on training data.

      Teacher tip

      Get students to think about examples of AI technology that they may already interact with, like voice assistants, social media algorithms, or media recommendation engines. This grounds abstract AI technology concepts to familiar experiences, making them more relatable and less intimidating.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What does AI stand for?

      Correct Answer: artificial intelligence

      Q2.
      Which of these is an example of AI making a recommendation?

      a teacher suggesting a book
      a friend telling you their favourite song
      Correct answer: a music app suggesting songs you might like
      a clock showing the time

      Q3.
      Put these steps in order for how a music app uses AI to recommend a song:

      1 - records what you listen to
      2 - analyses your listening patterns
      3 - suggests new songs
      4 - you can choose to play a song from the suggestions

      Q4.
      What does automation often help with in manufacturing?

      Correct answer: reducing errors and increasing speed
      making more mistakes
      making products by hand
      slowing down production

      Q5.
      Which of these is a use of speech recognition software?

      Correct answer: turning spoken words into text
      drawing pictures
      playing football
      mixing paint

      Q6.
      In which industry might AI systems be used to help diagnose conditions in people?

      gardening
      cooking
      painting
      Correct answer: medicine

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Which statement best describes how AI systems generate decisions?

      they use feelings and personal experiences
      they guess randomly
      they ask humans for advice
      Correct answer: they process data and follow patterns or rules

      Q2.
      Which of these is a positive impact of AI technology?

      making tasks slower
      increasing errors in calculations
      Correct answer: automating repetitive jobs to save time
      limiting access to information

      Q3.
      What does it mean if an AI application is evolving?

      it never changes
      Correct answer: it is updated and improved over time
      it becomes less useful
      it stops working

      Q4.
      Put these steps in order for how an AI system might recommend a film:

      1 - you watch a film
      2 - system collects data on what you have watched
      3 - system analyses your viewing patterns
      4 - system suggests a new film

      Q5.
      Match each keyword to its description:

      Correct Answer:application,putting something to use for a specific purpose

      putting something to use for a specific purpose

      Correct Answer:system,a set of connected parts working together

      a set of connected parts working together

      Correct Answer:social,how people interact in groups

      how people interact in groups

      Correct Answer:ethical,doing what is right and fair

      doing what is right and fair

      Q6.
      Which of these is an example of AI in everyday life?

      a calculator solving maths problems
      Correct answer: a social media feed suggesting new friends
      a mobile phone displaying the time
      an email inbox showing your most recent messages

      To help you plan your 10 computing lesson on: AI in our world today, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...