Lesson 1

Lesson Goals

Texts

Core

• • “The Montréal Declaration: Why We Must Develop AI Responsibly,” Yoshua Bengio, The Conversation US, Inc, 2018

Materials

Tools

• Delineating Arguments Tool

Reference Guides

• Academic Discussion Reference Guide
• Annotating and Note-Taking Reference Guide
• Argument Reference Guide
• Claims Reference Guide
• Organization Reference Guide
• Questioning Reference Guide

Editable Google Docs

• Delineating Arguments Tool

Activity 1: Read – Discuss – Write

We will read, annotate, and delineate a model argument written by a computer science professor about how AI must be developed responsibly. We will consider what the purpose and audience is for the argument.

Step 1

In preparation for a class discussion of a model argument, read, annotate, and delineate “The Montréal Declaration: Why We Must Develop AI Responsibly” written by a Université de Montréal computer science professor as an opinion piece for The Conversation, an independent and not-for-profit news organization.

With a partner, skim the article for headings, subheadings, and bold words. What topics will the author be discussing?

While reading the article, identify the major claims used by the author to develop the argument on the Delineating Arguments Tool, and note whether you think each claim is more informational, expository, or argumentative. Identify the counterclaims the author recognizes and the evidence he uses to dispute them on the Delineating Arguments Tool.

Step 2

Thinking about the major claims Yoshua Bengio makes, the language he uses, and the fact the piece was published in an independent and not-for-profit news organization, who might his intended audience be? Are particular claims targeted more specifically to particular audiences?

With your partner, discuss the possible intended audiences, justifying your inference, and identifying particular claims that may appeal to the various audiences.

Activity 2: Discuss – Write

As a class, we will study the structure of the model argument and the ways that researched evidence has been incorporated to set up, explain, and support the positions and claims.

In a class discussion, review what you have delineated as the elements of the argument about the Central Question: How is artificial intelligence affecting our world?

Refer to your Delineating Arguments Tool.

Identify the major claims presented by the author, discussing whether each is primarily informational, expository, or argumentative, and what their sequence of thinking is.

Independently, use the second page of the Delineating Arguments Tool to consider which of the argumentation models most closely reflects the organization and reasoning used by the author in this argument.

As a class, compare and discuss your analysis of the argument’s structure. Consider how the argument might be different if written from a different reasoning approach.

Activity 3: Read

Considering the model and other arguments we have delineated in the unit, we will finalize a sequence of claims that will be used as premises in the defense of our argumentative positions, including at least one specific counterclaim.

Thinking about the model argument, determine which of the approaches to organization and reasoning might work best for your argument. Consider using this argument, or another you have researched, as an organizational model for your work.

Activity 4: Write

We will determine the order of our claims, considering both deductive and inductive organizational models, as well as arguments that are built almost exclusively as counterclaims to an existing argument.

Think about the best approach to reasoning and organization for your argument, and determine a final sequence for the claims and counterclaims you intend to develop. Identify which claims are more informational or expository and which claims are the actual building blocks, or premises, of the argument that will help you prove your position.