Lesson Plan: Introduction to AI

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Define artificial intelligence in their own words.
• Give three examples of AI they encounter in everyday life.
• Explain the difference between narrow AI and human intelligence.
• Describe one way AI could help solve a problem in their community.

Lesson Structure

Opening (5 minutes) — Hook

Ask students: "Has anyone ever used Google, watched TikTok, or asked Siri a question?" (All hands should go up.) "Then you have all used artificial intelligence — probably today." This immediately connects AI to their lives.

Direct Instruction (15 minutes) — Core Concepts

Cover three key ideas, with examples for each:

• What AI is: Software that learns from data rather than following fixed rules. Example: a spam filter that gets better at catching spam the more emails it sees.
• AI vs. human intelligence: Today's AI is narrow — very good at one task, but cannot think, feel, or understand context. Use the chess computer analogy: can beat a grandmaster at chess but cannot make a cup of tea.
• Where AI appears: Search engines, social media feeds, voice assistants, maps, email spam filters, online shopping recommendations.

Activity (15 minutes) — Group Discussion

Divide the class into groups of 4–5. Give each group this prompt: "Pick one problem in your school or community. How could AI help solve it? What could go wrong?" Each group presents their idea in one minute. This exercise teaches both the potential and the risks of AI.

Closing (10 minutes) — Reflection and Assessment

Quick assessment: have each student write on a slip of paper: (1) One thing they learned about AI today, and (2) One question they still have. Collect these as exit tickets — they tell you what stuck and what to revisit next lesson.

Materials Needed

• Projector or whiteboard for key definitions.
• Handout: "AI in Everyday Life" (included in download).
• Slips of paper for exit tickets.
• Optional: internet access to demonstrate an AI tool live.

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