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Lesson 10

We will consider the following question: What are the risks of using AI in society? We will analyze the claims and supporting data presented in the article “Benefits & Risks of Artificial Intelligence,” comparing it to a claim from “Artificial Intelligence and Life in 2030.”

Lesson Goals

  • Can I recognize and interpret important relationships among key details and ideas within texts?

Texts

Core

  • Unit Reader
    • “Benefits & Risks of Artificial Intelligence,” Future of Life Institute, Future of Life Institute, 2016
    • “Will Robots Outsmart Us? The Late Stephen Hawking Answers This and Other Big Questions Facing Humanity,” excerpt from Brief Answers to the Big Questions, Stephen Hawking, Spacetime Publications Limited. Used by permission of Bantam Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC., 2018
  • Digital Access
    • “Speech of Artificial Intelligence by Stephen Hawking in GMIC Beijing 2017,” Yicai Global, YouTube, 2017
    • “Stephen Hawking: ‘AI Could Spell the End of the Human Race’,” BBC, YouTube, 2014

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Read – Discuss – Write

We will practice analyzing relationships within and among texts.

Using the Analyzing Relationships Tool, we will respond to the following guiding question from last lesson’s homework:

  1. How does this article echo the following claim from the Stanford report: “Further, research on the fairness, security, privacy, and societal implications of AI systems should be encouraged by removing impediments and increasing private and public spending to support it”?

In order to complete this tool, reread the article, focusing on the idea of AI research. How does this article parallel the thoughts of the Stanford researchers?

In partners, reread the article and complete the Analyzing Relationships Tool.

After completion, share your findings with the class.

Activity 2: Read – Discuss – Write

We will research Stephen Hawking.

Stephen Hawking is mentioned in “Benefits & Risks of Artificial Intelligence.” Do some brief research to respond to the following question:

  1. Who is Stephen Hawking, and why is he considered one of the big names in science and technology?

Before beginning your research, brainstorm with the class key words and phrases you will use to guide your search. Think about the type of sources you use.

With a partner, answer the guiding question above. Complete your research on the Internet. Gather and take notes in your Learning Log.

After researching, share your findings with the class.

Activity 3: View – Write

We will watch two videos in which Stephen Hawking warns us about artificial intelligence.

Step 1

Watch the first short video and listen for an answer to the following question:

  1. What evidence and reasoning does Stephen Hawking give to support his claim that AI could spell the end of the human race?

  2. Does his evidence contain an example of faulty reasoning? If so, what type? How does it impact the credibility of his claim?

Step 2

Watch the second video, focusing on the following guiding questions:

  1. What claim is Hawking making?

  2. At 2:15, Hawking says, “Everything that civilization has to offer is a product of human intelligence, and I believe there is no real difference between what can be achieved by a biological brain and what can be achieved by a computer.” What reasons does he give for why this can be both good and bad?

  3. Toward the end of his speech, Hawking makes a call to action regarding research. What is the call to action and how is he supporting its execution?

Activity 4: Read – Write

For homework, we will read an excerpt from the article, “Will Robots Outsmart Us? The Late Stephen Hawking Answers This And Other Big Questions Facing Humanity.”

For homework, read the excerpt from the article “Will Robots Outsmart Us? The Late Stephen Hawking Answers This and Other Big Questions Facing Humanity.” While reading, annotate the article, considering the following guiding questions:

  1. What claims is Stephen Hawking making regarding artificial intelligence?

  2. What evidence does he use to support his claims?

  3. Does his evidence contain an example of faulty reasoning? If so, what type? How does it impact the credibility of his claim?

Write new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal.