Advancing AI Literacy Lessons


AI Around Us – Exploring Everyday Examples

Technology Applications | 6-8
Duration: 60 minutes
Author: Rabiaa Ezzedine, CTE and Physics Teacher

In this lesson, students begin by brainstorming examples of artificial intelligence (AI) they encounter in daily life, such as recommendation systems, voice assistants, and smart devices. Using a collaborative mind map, they will organize these examples into categories like apps, games, and home technology. Next, students will participate in an AI/ML sorting activity to clarify the distinction between Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (ML). Through discussion and reflection, they will start to understand that AI is the broader concept of machines acting intelligently, while ML is a key method for achieving this through data-driven learning. This lesson sets the foundation for deeper exploration by connecting abstract concepts to familiar experiences.

Lesson Objectives

  • How can we evaluate the differences between AI and ML in real-world examples?
  • In what ways do AI and ML shape our choices and behaviors?
  • How might understanding AI and ML inform how we interact with technology responsibly?
  • What criteria can we use to classify technologies as AI, ML, or neither?

Essential Questions

  • How did AI evolve from early concepts to today’s applications?
  • What breakthroughs made Machine Learning central to AI?
  • How can understanding AI’s history help us predict future trends?
  • Which historical events had the greatest impact on ethical considerations in AI?