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AI Literacy Lessons for Grades 6–12

Quick, grab-and-go lessons to help your students think critically about AI and its impact.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world we live in. From using generative AI for schoolwork to dealing with misinformation and befriending AI chatbots, students have a lot to consider when it comes to this ever-evolving technology.

This collection of quick lessons (20 minutes or less!) provide an introduction to AI and help address its social and ethical impacts. Through these lessons, students will:

  • Understand what AI is and how it works
  • Consider some of its potential benefits and risks
  • Think critically about how we can be responsible and ethical users of AI

Also: See our AI Basics for K–12 Teachers self-paced training course!

Video
Topics
Information & Media Literacy Digital Citizenship & Literacy
Collapse all
How Does AI Learn?
What is AI, and how does the data it learns from shape what it can do?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Video Media Creation
Designed to Feel Human
How are AI chatbots designed to make you feel like "they" get you?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Video
AI Chatbots & Friendship
How can AI chatbots affect our idea of friendship?
Grade
8
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion
Drifting Toward the Chatbot
How does AI earn trust, and how can that change the way you use it?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion
AI Algorithms: How Well Do They Know You?
How does artificial intelligence influence what we see online?
Grade
8
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Video
Facing Off with Facial Recognition
What are the benefits and risks of facial recognition?
Grade
8
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion
Is It Fair Use? AI Edition
What rights to fair use do you have as a creator?
Grade
6
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion Video
Remix Responsibly
How can we be creative while respecting the creative rights of others?
Grade
5
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Media Creation Video
Choosing Sources
How do we match our information needs with the best online sources?
Grade
7
Time
20 mins.
Deepfakes & Consent
What are the impacts of creating or sharing altered images without asking for consent?
Grade
8
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion Video
Does Our AI Policy Work for Us?
What does it take for an AI policy to truly support student learning?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Video
Is AI a Choice or a Necessity?
How do you decide what technology gets a place in your life?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion
Creativity: Defining What's Yours
What makes creative work yours?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Creativity: Sharing It with AI
What do you gain and what do you lose when you make creative work with AI?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
How to SIFT with AI
How do I check whether information is true when AI can make anything look credible?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Article Video
Deepfake Nudes & Consent
How can deepfakes cause harm, and why do they violate consent?
Grades
9–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Video Dilemma Discussion
Lesson 1
What Is AI?
What is artificial intelligence and what are its potential benefits and drawbacks?
Grades
6–12
Time
15 mins.
Includes
Video
Lesson 2
How Is AI Trained?
How does data determine what artificial intelligence can do?
Grades
6–12
Time
20 mins.
Lesson 3
AI Chatbots: Who's Behind the Screen?
Why are AI chatbots designed to sound so human-like, and how can that impact our everyday lives?
Grades
6–12
Time
15 mins.
Includes
Video
Lesson 4
AI Chatbots & Friendship
How can AI chatbots impact our idea of friendship?
Grades
6–12
Time
15 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion
Lesson 5
Understanding AI Bias
How does AI bias happen?
Grades
6–12
Time
20 mins.
Lesson 6
How AI Bias Impacts Our Lives
What are the impacts of AI bias?
Grades
6–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion
Lesson 7
AI Algorithms: How Well Do They Know You?
How does artificial intelligence influence what we see online?
Grades
6–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Video
Lesson 8
Facing Off with Facial Recognition
What are the benefits and risks of facial recognition?
Grades
6–12
Time
20 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion
Lesson 9
Artificial Intelligence: Is It Plagiarism?
What is the impact of artificial intelligence on how we learn and create?
Grades
9–12
Time
50 mins.
Includes
Dilemma Discussion Podcast
Article
Common Sense Rules for the AI Era
Guidelines for navigating the impacts of AI
Webinars & Events
Training Course: AI Basics for K–12 Teachers
Webinars & Events
NYC & LA Just Banned AI in Schools: What Does It Mean for Your School?