The Science of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Over the past few years, computer science education has expanded globally, including aspects of artificial intelligence (AI), especially in graduate and undergraduate education settings. However, less has been accomplished regarding how to introduce AI to K-12 students. While many K-12 students regularly interact with AI in the form of predictive text, facial recognition, cell phone voice assistants, etc., there has been little effort made by educational researchers regarding how best to introduce K-12 students to AI and help them understand how it works. Artificial intelligence (AI) has become ubiquitous, revolutionizing many of the fields it touches, from medicine to education to the business world, and its capabilities are rapidly expanding along with its role across the globe. AI is applicable across multiple contexts, including K-12 education, and students need to be learning what it is and how it works from a young age so they will be better prepared for a future where AI plays a prominent role. In this article, the author shares three lessons that serve to introduce high school students to artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Keywords:

• Artificial Intelligence
• machine learning
• Augmented Intelligence
• computer science education
• AI deception

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00368555.2024.2309697.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sandy Watson

Dr. Sandy Watson ([email protected]) (ORCID: 0000-0002-8885-6203) is a Professor of Curriculum and Instruction in STEM at the University of Louisiana Monroe, where she holds the Chase Endowed Professorship in Teacher Education. Her research interests include STEM education, qualitative research, STEM curriculum, and multiculturalism in STEM.