New
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Lesson 1 of 8
  • Year 10
  • AQA

Introduction to AI

I can explain what artificial intelligence is and identify some common uses in the real world.

Lesson 1 of 8
New
New
  • Year 10
  • AQA

Introduction to AI

I can explain what artificial intelligence is and identify some common uses in the real world.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. AI allows machines to "think" and "act" in ways that seem intelligent, often by using data to improve over time.
  2. AI systems now power many everyday activities.
  3. Applications of AI systems include voice assistants, recommendation systems, chatbots and fraud detection systems.

Keywords

  • Intelligence - the ability to “learn” and adapt to new situations

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

Common misconception

AI applications can think.

AI systems follow programmed rules or improve performance based on data, but they do not think or have emotions like humans.


To help you plan your year 10 computer science lesson on: Introduction to AI, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

This lesson explores a number of real-world applications of AI systems. As an alternative, you could get small groups of pupils to investigate one particular application more closely and then share their findings with the wider class.
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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

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is an example of a chatbot application?

a robot arm on a car assembly line
a cash register
Correct answer: an online assistant that answers customer questions
a barcode scanner at a supermarket

Q2.
How do doctors use computers to help diagnose illnesses?

for playing games
by writing prescriptions
for booking appointments
Correct answer: by using software that analyses symptoms

Q3.
Which device helps you find your current location and directions?

Correct answer: GPS technology
MP3 player
printer
microwave

Q4.
Arrange the following steps for using GPS to get to a new place:

1 - switch on GPS device
2 - enter destination
3 - follow directions
4 - arrive at destination

Q5.
Why might a supermarket use self-checkout machines?

to make shopping slower
to reduce errors in cooking
Correct answer: to allow customers to scan and pay for items themselves
to keep food fresh

Q6.
Match the professional to the technology they might use:

Correct Answer:doctor,medical software

medical software

Correct Answer:factory worker,robot arm

robot arm

Correct Answer:shopper,self-checkout

self-checkout

Correct Answer:driver,GPS

GPS

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is artificial intelligence (AI)?

Correct answer: machines that perform tasks using data and rules
computers that have feelings
devices that only store information
a type of electricity

Q2.
Which of these is most widely recognised as a direct application of AI technology designed for interactive communication?

weather app that predicts rain
online calendar that suggests meeting times
photo gallery that organises images by date
Correct answer: voice assistant that responds to spoken questions

Q3.
Arrange these steps for a chatbot helping a customer:

1 - receives a question
2 - processes the question using data
3 - finds the relevant information
4 - sends a reply to the customer

Q4.
Match the AI application to its use:

Correct Answer:voice assistant,answers customer questions

answers customer questions

Correct Answer:fraud detection system,spots unusual payments

spots unusual payments

Correct Answer:chatbot application,responds to spoken commands

responds to spoken commands

Correct Answer:recommendation system,suggests films or products

suggests films or products

Q5.
Which statement best describes how AI systems operate?

Correct answer: It follows programmed rules and uses data.
It feels emotions like a person.
It makes decisions randomly.
It copies everything humans do.

Q6.
Why do AI systems often improve over time?

They get bored.
They need sleep.
They break down.
Correct answer: They receive more data to learn from.