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Guidance

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Being a critical user of AI tools

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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can apply my knowledge of AI risks and benefits to create a set of guidelines for responsible use.

Key learning points

  1. Being a critical AI user involves evaluating the reliability of outputs and checking for signs of bias or inaccuracy.
  2. Responsible digital use means balancing the benefits of AI tools with awareness of the environmental and social costs.
  3. Designing guidance for others helps build understanding of how to stay critical and responsible online.

Keywords

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) - computer systems that adjust their outputs based on data or follow rules to perform complex tasks

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

  • Bias - when something is unfair towards or against something or someone

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

Common misconception

Now I have completed this lesson, I am fully aware of the risks and benefits of AI tools.

AI literacy not is a one-time skill to "finish". It is instead an adaptable mindset that must evolve as new technologies and AI systems emerge.

Teacher tip

During the final learning cycle of this lesson students are asked to create a poster. You could allow them to use AI tools to create their poster to get them to apply their understanding from the lesson.

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).

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do social media platforms use AI recommendation algorithms?

to ensure that every user receives an equal amount of educational content
to automatically fact-check and verify the reliability of all shared posts
to limit screen time and recommend users to spend more time offline
Correct answer: to keep users engaged by predicting what will hold their interest

Q2.
What is the primary risk of an AI-driven echo chamber?

Correct answer: Users are only exposed to similar opinions making it hard to see the full truth.
The user's device may run out of storage space due to repeated data patterns.
Digital agents may start communicating with each other without human permission.
Internet connection speeds may decrease as the AI system processes complex data.

Q3.
Why is it important to stay critical of recommendations provided by AI systems?

because AI tools are only designed to be used by trained computer scientists
because standard search engines are always more energy-efficient than AI
Correct answer: because AI tools can steer our choices using unrepresentative or biased patterns
because AI systems are human-like and may try to trick you for fun

Q4.
An AI chatbot recommends a product that a user doesn't need. How should a responsible user respond?

Trust the AI chatbot because machines are always more objective than humans.
Assume the AI chatbot is a real friend who knows what is best for them.
Follow the suggestion immediately to help the AI system learn faster.
Correct answer: Stay critical and reflect on how the AI chatbot is trying to steer their choice.

Q5.
A pupil is researching a topic and notices that every website suggested by the AI tool gives the same opinion. What should they do to stay responsible?

Report the device for having a software error that blocks information.
Assume the AI tool has provided the only correct answer.
Stop researching because the AI tool has already finished the task.
Correct answer: Seek out different viewpoints from reliable sources to avoid an echo chamber.

Q6.
Which of these is a responsible way to manage the influence of AI on your opinions?

Correct answer: Actively look for information from sources outside of your usual feed.
Trust that the AI algorithm is naturally neutral and objective.
Only use AI chatbots that claim to be your digital "friend".
Assume that the most popular recommendation is always the most truthful.

Assessment exit quiz

Download exit quiz questions (PDF)

6 Questions

Q1.
When giving advice on AI chatbots, which of these is the most important rule to remember?

AI chatbots always provide the most accurate medical and legal advice.
Correct answer: AI chatbots are programmed tools and cannot offer real human friendship.
Chatbots have real feelings and will be hurt if you are unkind to them.
You should share all your secrets with an AI chatbot to help it learn faster.

Q2.
If an AI response includes a fact, what should your next critical step be?

Assume the answer is correct because AI tools are faster than a human.
Copy the answer exactly without checking where it came from.
Correct answer: Verify the information by checking other reliable, non-AI sources.
Only use AI for your research to ensure the data is perfectly neutral.

Q3.
Why is it important to warn other people about AI bias?

AI systems are naturally smarter than humans and always make fairer choices.
Bias only happens if the computer's battery is running low.
All AI systems are programmed by humans to be 100% objective.
Correct answer: Patterns in data can lead to unfair or unrepresentative results.

Q4.
What environmental guideline should you consider when using AI tools?

AI uses zero electricity because it exists only in the cloud.
Correct answer: AI queries often use more energy than standard digital tools.
AI is always the most eco-friendly way to search for information.
Using AI actually generates electricity for the local power grid.

Q5.
How can AI systems influence your online behaviour?

Correct answer: by making recommendations that steer your opinions and choices
by physically preventing you from turning off your mobile device
by automatically writing and submitting all your school homework
by ensuring you only ever see the complete and absolute truth

Q6.
A pupil wants to stay responsible while using AI. What should they do with their personal data?

Give the AI system as much personal information as possible to make it smarter.
Post all their private passwords into a chatbot for safekeeping.
Assume that AI tools automatically delete all data after every use.
Correct answer: Be careful about what they share, as AI systems store and use data.

To help you plan your 8 digital literacy lesson on: Being a critical user of AI tools, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...