EDUC 730

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: TRENDS, RISKS, AND POTENTIAL BENEFITS

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

OVERVIEW
The landscape of AI is constantly evolving, and new considerations will emerge alongside
technological advancements. Staying informed and actively engaging in the conversation is
crucial for shaping a future where AI aligns with our values and strengthens our societies. As we
venture into the future of AI, it is crucial to approach its development and deployment with
responsibility and foresight. Robust ethical frameworks, continuous dialogue between
technologists and policymakers, and public education are essential to ensure that AI benefits all
of humanity. The potential of AI for solving global challenges like climate change and
improving human well-being is immense, but it is equally important to address the risks and
ensure that this powerful technology is used for good.
INSTRUCTIONS
In this assignment, you will explore the topic of Artificial Intelligence responding to one of the
three options listed below that most interests you. To help you choose, review the chart below
describing the required assignment elements for each option and its corresponding focused
approach.

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3

Components: Components: Components:

1. KWL Chart 1. KWL Chart 1. KWL Chart
2. 10 Key Terms 2. 10 Key Terms 2. Skip 10 Key Terms
Section
3. Gemini Accuracy 3. Visualizing Data
3. Sector Study
4. 10 Important 4. 10 Important
Questions Questions 4. 10 Important
Questions

Overview: Overview: Overview:

In this option, you will verify In this option, you will create In this option, you will
the accuracy of the and display three visual investigate how AI is used in
statements generated by representations of data sectors within which people
Google Gemini. Then, you surrounding the AI work: K12, Military,
will address several explosion. Then, you will Business, and Medicine.
important questions address several important Then, you will address
surrounding the use of AI questions surrounding the use several important questions
across five categories of of AI across five categories surrounding the use of AI
exploration. of exploration. across five categories of
exploration within one
specific sector.

Page 1 of 6
 EDUC 730

Step 1. (For all options): Using the provided Artificial Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and
Potential Benefits Template, utilize the KWL strategy to identify and reflect on what
you currently know and want to know about artificial intelligence (AI). As you complete
the remaining steps listed below, you will then seek information to fill in the gaps in
your knowledge and understanding of AI. Notice the KWL Chart has 10 rows within
which to do your work. In this first step, complete seven or more lines with what you
Know and Want to Know. As you conclude the entire assignment, circle back and
complete the Learned column with brief statements of what you have learned and a
citation for each in the Evidence column.
Step 2. (For Options 1 and 2): In the Artificial Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and Potential
Benefits Template, identify and define ten key terms surrounding Artificial
Intelligence, providing a definition verified with citations provided within the Evidence
column of the provided table. At least two sources must be cited for each term. Seek
terms that you were previously unfamiliar with.
(For Option 3 only): For candidates completing Option 3, key terms will be embedded
into your sector study analysis in Step 3. You may delete the table from the template
document for Step 2 if you have chosen Option 3 if you desire.
Step 3. (For Option 1 only): Navigate to the Google Gemini website home page provided as an
assignment resource in Canvas. Type the prompt, “Give a brief history of the explosion
of Artificial Intelligence” to generate a response.
1. Copy and paste the response into a separate Word document.
2. Under the Review tab in Word, turn on the Track Changes feature. Use this to
track any corrections you make.
3. Research and verify the accuracy of the resulting statement generated by
Google Gemini. If you identify any inaccuracies, provide accurate corrective
statements with supporting evidence from the literature. At least two sources
must be cited for any corrective information you add.
4. When you submit the assignment, provide this separate Word document
alongside the submission of the template. You may delete Step 3 from the
template document if you so desire since it is submitted separately.
(For Option 2 only): In this step, you will use attention-grabbing design to create three
visual representations of data surrounding the phenomenon of Artificial Intelligence.
1. Using the ten terms and definitions you identified in Step 2, generate a word
cloud where the size of the terms reflects the frequency of the term’s use
within the space of artificial intelligence and/or the importance of each term
within the field of AI.Insert the word cloud image into the Artificial
Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and Potential Benefits Template. Here are four
apps to consider using to create your word cloud:
 Word Art
 WordItOut
 TagCrowd
 Vizzlo

Page 2 of 6
 EDUC 730

2. Using a tool such as ThingLink, Piktochart, or PowerPoint, develop a brief

horizontal timeline of the AI explosion from 2010 to the present day,
supporting each entry with literature or news articles. Limit the timeline to no
more than ten key developments. Provide a URL or link to the timeline you
created in the Artificial Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and Potential Benefits
Template.
3. Generate a visually compelling image/infographic highlighting AI's most
recent growth statistics within the last two years. You might want to focus on
data such as the average amount of data that is created every day, the portion
of data generated daily that is unstructured (e.g., tweets, images, videos, etc.),
the amount of data generated in the last year as compared to all data that
existed before, the growth in the number of active users for key AI tools such
as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, or the increased use of key AI terms in
blogs, articles, and news items. Consider harnessing creative design tools such
as Canva, Word, PowerPoint, Google Sheets, or Adobe Express. Insert your
image/infographic into the Artificial Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and
Potential Benefits Template or provide a URL or link to its location.
(For Option 3 only): In the Artificial Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and Potential
Benefits Template, write a thoroughly developed essay investigating how AI is
currently being used in four sectors within which people work (K-12 education,
military, business, and medicine). Ten key terms must be embedded in this essay.
Please underline the ten key terms.
Examine at least two different types of uses of AI in each of these four sectors. Then,
choose one the four sectors that interests you the most and more fully develop and
discuss the future potentials, current challenges and risks, and ethical considerations
surrounding AI within the selected sector, as well as the continuous dialogue that is
needed between stakeholders and policymakers in the sector. Conclude the paper by
exploring and forming future projections. You must support you paper will multiple
scholarly sources to back up the points that you make. Include at least two visuals (i.e.,
images, charts, or graphs) to support your findings.
Step 4. (For all options): For the final step, select two questions from each of the five categories
below (for a total of 10). Respond to each question in the Artificial Intelligence:
Trends, Risks, and Potential Benefits Template, referring to at least one quality
example from professional blogs, podcasts, or news items (you may include a link in
your explanation) for each question. In addition to this, you must include at least one
reference from scholarly/academic journals in response to at least one of the two
questions you select in each category. Your responses mustinclude a wide range of
credible and relevant sources from diverse perspectives, showing clear evidence of
critical analysis and synthesis of information from multiple sources.
AI Potentials
 Are there reasons to be optimistic about the potential of AI?
 Will AI change the world as we know it?
 In what ways can the power of technology improve human lives? Describe.

Page 3 of 6
 EDUC 730

 What might AI mean for new employment opportunities in the short and long term?
 What are some of the biggest opportunities being created due to the surge of AI?
 How might teachers use AI to take things off their teacher plate?
 How might teachers use AI to find teaching strategies and lesson-planning ideas?
 How might AI be used to develop prompts for students to keep them engaged in learning?
 How might teachers use AI to reduce cognitive load?
 How might Generative AI support research-based math instruction (or another subject of
choice)?
 Identify your own question of choice. You may discover some compelling questions or topics
that resonate with you as you go through the links in this module’s Learn section.
Challenges and Risks
 Are there reasons to be worried about the rise of AI? Give specific examples.
 Identify at least three serious flaws with AI currently.
 What is the most significant threat due to the pace at which AI is evolving?
 Is AI safe for society?
 Should we be worried about the information being gathered on the human race?
 Why has AI been classified as “the sharp weapon of the modern state”?
 How will AI impact the future of work? Will it lead to widespread job displacement, requiring
workforce retraining and adaptation?
 What are the biggest AI challenges that companies are facing with AI?
 What are the biggest challenges that K-12 and Higher Ed will likely face due to AI availability?
 Identify several disruptions caused by AI. Then, explore ways to overcome these disruptions
from AI technology and turn them into opportunities. Give specific examples.
 Are there potential existential risks associated with advanced AI and, if so, how can we mitigate
them? This explores the concerns about the potential misuse or unintended consequences of AI
and the need for responsible development strategies.
 Identify your own question of choice. You may discover some compelling questions or topics
that resonate with you as you go through the links in this module’s Learn section.
Ethical Frameworks
 If a student creates a tool in AI, such as a tool that detects Parkinson’s disease, does the school
have the right to put the student’s work into AI? Whose property is it?
 How can we ensure that AI systems are fair and unbiased, avoiding discrimination against
individuals or groups based on factors like race, gender, or socioeconomic status?
 How do we hold developers accountable to ensure that AI is used for good and not for evil?
 How can we ensure individual privacy when AI systems collect, analyze, and utilize personal
data? This includes addressing concerns about data ownership, consent, and potential misuse.

Page 4 of 6
 EDUC 730

 How can we guarantee the safety and security of AI systems? This involves preventing
accidents, malicious attacks, and unintended consequences caused by AI.
 Who is responsible for AI systems' actions and decisions? This question delves into human
oversight, accountability, and potential scenarios in which AI surpasses human control.
 If AI systems become increasingly sophisticated, should we consider them sentient beings
deserving of ethical considerations? This raises complex philosophical and legal questions.
 How can we prevent developing and using autonomous weapons systems that could operate
independently? This could raise ethical concerns about warfare and decision-making.
 How should we establish international frameworks for governing AI development, deployment,
and use to ensure ethical and responsible practices?
 What are the long-term consequences of integrating AI into various aspects of society? How can
we ensure its positive impact and mitigate potential risks?
 Identify your own question of choice. You may discover some compelling questions or topics
that resonate with you as you go through the links in this module’s Learn section.
Continuous Dialogue
 Is there a need to develop school policies that can adapt to the changes in the AI landscape that is
moving very fast?
 How might the way we assess students need to change in light of the availability and
functionalities of AI?
 What safety layers exist, and what safety layers are still needed where AI is concerned?
 What federal engagement in AI technical standards is needed and why?
 How can we ensure that AI development and implementation prioritize ethical principles like
fairness, transparency, and accountability while fostering innovation and progress? This requires
open communication and collaboration between policymakers who establish guidelines and
schools, parents, and users who experience the real-world impact.
 How can we equip individuals, including students, with the skills and knowledge to navigate the
increasingly AI-integrated world? This involves ongoing dialogue between policymakers setting
educational standards, schools adapting curricula, and parents supporting their children's
understanding of AI.
 How can we identify and mitigate potential risks associated with AI, such as job displacement,
data privacy breaches, and algorithmic bias? This necessitates continuous conversation among
the policymakers who establish the regulations, and the schools and parents who educate
individuals about potential risks. The conversation also includes users who navigate AI in their
daily lives.
 How can we build public trust and ensure transparency in AI development and use? This requires
policymakers to create clear guidelines and communicate them effectively, schools and parents
to equip individuals with knowledge about AI, and users to actively engage in discussions and
raise concerns.
 How can we encourage the responsible and ethical use of AI by individuals, organizations, and
society? This involves an ongoing dialogue among the policymakers who shape the regulations,

Page 5 of 6
 EDUC 730

the schools and parents who ethical awareness regarding AI, and the users who make informed
decisions about their interactions with AI.
 Should you have parents sign consent to use AI with students or simply inform them such tools
will be used?
 Identify your own question of choice. You may discover some compelling questions or topics
that resonate with you as you go through the links in this module’s Learn section.
Future projections
 How has machine deep learning changed since the early days of AI?
 What might the deep learning trend mean for the future of AI?
 Can a robot truly learn? Give examples and support for your answer.
 What human characteristics are not explainable by computational algorithms, and how does this
reveal the limitations of AI?
 How might AI’s ability to determine how a human feels (as in emotions) benefit educators and
learners in the future?
 Is a robot capable of developing the capabilities and properties necessary for creativity,
reasoning, and planning?
 How rapidly will AI capabilities progress, and will we reach a point of "singularity" where AI
surpasses human intelligence? This question delves into the potential speed of development and
its implications.
 What specific domains will AI excel in, and how will it be integrated into various sectors like
healthcare, finance, and transportation? This explores the potential applications and areas where
AI will have a significant impact.
 How will humans and AI collaborate effectively? This includes understanding the potential
benefits and challenges of working alongside intelligent machines and exploring the future of
human-AI partnerships.
 How will AI fundamentally change our way of life, work, and social structures? This question
delves into AI's broader societal implications and the need for proactive adaptation.
 Identify your own question of choice. You may discover some compelling questions or topics
that resonate with you as you go through the links in this module’s Learn section.
At the Artificial Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and Potential Benefits Template, provide a list
of references for all sources used in this assignment. Current APA formatting guidelines must be
used for the formatting of your sources on this page. You must also review the Artificial
Intelligence: Trends, Risks, and Potential Benefits Grading Rubric in order to view how you
will be graded for this assignment.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Page 6 of 6