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AI influence and online behaviour

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can describe how AI systems can influence my opinions and choices and how to become a critical user of these systems.

Key learning points

  1. Recommendation algorithms analyse your past actions to suggest content you are likely to be interested in.
  2. AI systems can create echo chambers by repeatedly showing you similar ideas that limit exposure to different viewpoints.
  3. AI influence is often subtle.
  4. Platforms that use AI systems use personalised feedback to encourage you to spend more time on a platform.
  5. Being a critical user means questioning why certain content is recommended and seeking different information sources.

Keywords

  • Digital footprint - a trail of data you leave behind when you use the internet

  • Echo chamber - a space (online or offline) where you are only exposed to similar content or opinions

  • Critical user - a user who makes well-informed judgements about digital content and systems, questioning their reliability and whether any bias might be present before accepting them

Common misconception

I am in complete control of the content I see online.

You may think you only see specific posts or videos because you have chosen to 'follow' a person or topic, not realising that AI recommendation systems actively steer your choices and influence your opinions by filtering what is shown in your feeds.

Teacher tip

A digital footprint is something students may be familiar with in terms of online safety, but in this lesson they need to consider how this data can be used for other purposes such as AI recommendation systems.

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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.
Why might an AI system produce biased results even though it is a machine?

Correct answer: It is trained using data provided by humans that contains bias.
It has its own personal feelings and opinions.
Machines are designed to be unfair.

Q2.
What is a common cause of bias in facial recognition technology?

using too much data to train the system
the camera lens being poor quality
Correct answer: training data that lacks diversity (e.g. people with different skin tones)

Q3.
Which of these is an example of AI bias in everyday life?

a calculator adding two numbers correctly
Correct answer: voice assistants failing to identify speech in certain accents
a robot vacuum cleaning a floor efficiently

Q4.
How can AI bias impact the world of work and recruitment?

Correct answer: It can cause qualified candidates to be penalised based on bias.
It makes sure every person gets exactly the same job.
It allows machines to do all the work without humans.

Q5.
What is the primary way developers can reduce bias in AI models?

letting the AI model develop its own rules without intervention
Correct answer: using diverse and representative training data
removing all data so the AI model cannot be trained

Q6.
Why is 'human oversight' important in managing AI systems?

to give the AI system a human brain to think with
to make the AI system move faster during training
Correct answer: to check if the model is working fairly and as intended

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
What is an echo chamber in the context of AI and the internet?

Correct answer: an environment where you only see content that fits your views
a tool used to clean dust from a computer screen
a special protective case for a mobile phone

Q2.
How does an echo chamber shaped by an AI system affect a person's opinions?

It helps them to see lots of different people's views and perspectives.
It helps them learn new subjects.
Correct answer: It reinforces what they already believe by hiding other views.

Q3.
What is the primary goal of AI recommendation algorithms on social media?

Correct answer: to keep users engaged on the platform for as long as possible
to make sure users turn off their phones quickly
to teach users how to build their own computer

Q4.
Why might AI-generated video or 'deepfakes' be dangerous online?

They make the internet run much slower than usual.
They are only used to make funny cat videos.
Correct answer: They can be used to spread disinformation that looks real.

Q5.
How should a responsible user respond to a recommendation produced by an AI system?

by always buying the first product the AI system recommends
Correct answer: by remaining critical and checking other sources
by deleting the app immediately after one use

Q6.
What is 'disinformation' in the digital world?

Correct answer: false information shared with the intent to mislead people
information that is written in a very small font
a type of battery used in old laptops

To help you plan your 8 digital literacy lesson on: AI influence and online behaviour, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...