Global Issues & Challenges · Term 3

The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

Investigating the global governance of AI, its ethical implications, and its potential impact on human rights and employment.

About This Topic

This topic investigates the global governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its profound implications for human rights, democracy, and the economy. Students examine the potential benefits of AI in areas like healthcare and climate change, while also analyzing the risks of algorithmic bias, mass surveillance, and the displacement of labor. The curriculum explores the debate over whether AI should be regulated by international treaties or through voluntary ethical guidelines.

Grade 12 students analyze how AI can be used to both strengthen and undermine democratic processes, from personalized political ads to the creation of 'deepfakes.' They investigate the 'AI arms race' between major powers and the impact on global security. This topic comes alive when students can participate in an 'AI Ethics Board' simulation, where they must review a proposed AI application and decide if it meets a set of human rights and ethical standards.

Learning Objectives

• Critique the ethical frameworks proposed for AI development and deployment.
• Analyze the potential for algorithmic bias to exacerbate existing social and economic disparities.
• Design a policy proposal for an international body to govern AI, considering human rights implications.
• Evaluate the impact of AI on democratic processes, identifying both risks and opportunities.
• Synthesize arguments for and against international AI regulation through treaties.

Before You Start

Foundations of Global Citizenship

Why: Students need to understand the concept of global interconnectedness and the role of international bodies to analyze global AI governance.

Introduction to Social Justice Issues

Why: Understanding concepts of inequality and discrimination is crucial for analyzing how algorithmic bias can reinforce societal disparities.

Key Vocabulary

Algorithmic Bias	Systematic and repeatable errors in a computer system that create unfair outcomes, such as privileging one arbitrary group of users over others.
AI Governance	The set of rules, practices, and processes by which artificial intelligence is directed and controlled at a global or national level.
Deepfakes	Synthetic media in which a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else's likeness, often used to spread misinformation.
Human Rights	Fundamental rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status, which AI development must consider.
Algorithmic Transparency	The principle that the decision-making processes of algorithms should be understandable and explainable to humans.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The AI Ethics Board

In small groups, students act as an ethics board for a tech company or a government agency. They are given a proposal for a new AI tool (e.g., facial recognition for policing or an algorithm for hiring) and must decide whether to approve, modify, or reject it based on ethical criteria.

⏱ 60 min·Small Groups

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Inquiry Circle: AI and the Future of Work

Small groups research which job sectors in Canada are most likely to be impacted by AI and automation. They create a 'Risk and Opportunity' report and propose a policy (like retraining programs or a basic income) to support workers.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Should We Regulate AI?

Students read two perspectives: one arguing for strict government regulation of AI to protect rights, and another arguing that regulation will stifle innovation and put the country at a disadvantage. They discuss with a partner which approach is better.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

The European Union's proposed AI Act aims to establish a comprehensive legal framework for AI, classifying AI systems by risk level and imposing specific obligations on developers and deployers.

Companies like Google and Microsoft are developing internal AI ethics boards and principles to guide their AI research and product development, responding to public and governmental pressure.

The United Nations has convened expert groups to discuss the implications of AI for peace, security, and human rights, highlighting the need for international cooperation on AI governance.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

AI is 'neutral' and 'objective' because it is based on math and data.

What to Teach Instead

AI systems often reflect the biases of the people who create them and the data they are trained on, which can lead to discriminatory outcomes. A 'Bias in the Data' activity can help students see how historical prejudices can be 'baked into' AI systems.

Common Misconception

AI is a 'future' technology that doesn't affect us yet.

What to Teach Instead

AI is already integrated into many aspects of daily life, from social media algorithms and search engines to credit scoring and healthcare diagnostics. Using an 'AI Audit' of their own digital lives can help students see its current impact.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Given the rapid pace of AI development, is it more effective to pursue international treaties or voluntary ethical guidelines for AI governance?' Facilitate a debate where students must support their stance with evidence from case studies on AI's impact.

Quick Check

Present students with a scenario describing a new AI application (e.g., AI-powered hiring tool, AI facial recognition for public spaces). Ask them to identify one potential ethical concern and one potential benefit, and briefly explain how algorithmic bias might manifest in this specific context.

Peer Assessment

Students draft a short policy recommendation for regulating AI. They then exchange drafts with a partner. Each student provides feedback on whether the recommendation clearly addresses potential impacts on employment and human rights, and suggests one specific improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'Algorithmic Accountability'?

It is the principle that organizations should be held responsible for the results of the algorithms they use, especially when those results lead to unfair treatment or the violation of human rights.

How can AI be used to spread misinformation?

AI can be used to create 'deepfakes' (highly realistic fake videos) and to power 'bots' that can spread false information on social media at a massive scale, making it harder for people to distinguish truth from fiction.

What is the 'AI Arms Race'?

It refers to the competition between major powers (like the US and China) to lead in the development of AI technology, particularly for military and economic purposes, which has significant implications for global security and stability.

How can active learning help students understand the ethics of AI?

Active learning through 'Scenario-Based Impact Assessments' is very effective. By giving students a hypothetical future scenario (e.g., AI-driven predictive policing), they must work together to identify all the potential 'winners' and 'losers' and the long-term social consequences. This helps them move beyond technical questions to the deeper social and ethical impacts of technology.