AI-Lesson 1-Spring 26

​AI Adventures:
Understanding Artificial Intelligence

Spring 2026

​AI stands for Artificial Intelligence.

It's a special computer or device that can process and help us.

AI is like a smart helper made by people. AI can learn and solve problems

​What is AI?

• AI is a computer program

• AI cannot feel emotions

• AI follows instructions from humans

• AI helps us do tasks faster and easier

AI is NOT a Person

Alexa can answer questions

Maps show us directions

Video games have smart computer players

​AI Helpers in Our World

• Alexa helps us play music and answer questions

• YouTube suggests videos we might like to watch

• Maps apps find the best routes to our destination

• Smart devices in our homes like thermostats and lights

• Photo apps that organize and find pictures of people we know

Familiar AI Tools Around Us

• AI looks at lots of information

• It finds patterns and makes choices

• AI gets better by practicing

• Humans teach AI what to do

• AI tools are created by humans who write special instructions called algorithms. These algorithms tell the AI what to do with the information it receives.
  

How AI Learns

​Artificial Intelligence (AI) is technology that can:

-Solve problems
-Learn from information
-Make predictions
-Recognize patterns
-Complete tasks that normally need human thinking

• Always ask an adult before using AI

• Remember AI is a tool, not a friend

• Use AI to learn and explore

• Be kind and responsible

AI Safety Rules

AI or Not AI?

Multiple Choice

Smartphone

• AI

• Not AI

• Not sure

Multiple Choice

Toaster

• AI

• Not AI

• Not sure

Multiple Choice

Calculator

• AI

• Not AI

• Not sure

Multiple Choice

Pencil

• AI

• Not AI

• Not sure

Multiple Choice

Video Game Character

• AI

• Not AI

• Not sure

Multiple Choice

Google Maps

• AI

• Not AI

• Not sure

Multiple Choice

Alexa or Siri

• AI

• Not AI

• Not sure

• AI helps solve big problems

• AI can help doctors

• AI can protect the environment

• AI makes cool inventions possible

​

AI Can Be Amazing!

They are programmed with instructions

• They use math formulas to make decisions

• They look at lots of examples to learn patterns

• They can only do what they're designed to do

• They don't have feelings or understand why they do things

For example: When you ask Alexa the weather, it follows rules to check weather data and respond with an answer.

How AI Works: Following Rules
AI tools follow specific rules and patterns:

• Can understand meaning behind words

• Has emotions and can feel empathy

• Can be creative in new situations

• Understands right from wrong

• Can explain why they made decisions

​​Human Thinking:

• Follows programmed instructions

• Identifies patterns in data

• Makes predictions based on past information

• Cannot truly understand or feel emotions

• Cannot think outside its programming

AI "Thinking":

​Is AI Really "Thinking"?
Let's compare: