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AI Ethics in Action

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Lesson Plan

AI Ethics in Action Lesson Plan

Students will identify and apply key AI ethics principles by collaboratively designing and role-playing short scenarios that illustrate ethical dilemmas, then reflect on decision-making and consequences.

Understanding AI ethics empowers students to think critically about technology’s impact on society, fosters responsible digital citizenship, and prepares them for real-world decision-making involving AI tools.

Audience

7th Grade (Middle School)

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Collaborative scenario design and role-play.

Materials

AI Ethics Principles Handout, AI Scenario Template Sheet, Role-Play Scenario Cards, Scenario Reflection Worksheet, Timer, and Whiteboard and markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction to AI Ethics

5 minutes

  • Briefly introduce AI and real-world applications.
  • Distribute AI Ethics Principles Handout.
  • Review 3 key principles: fairness, transparency, accountability.
  • Invite quick class examples of AI in daily life.

Step 2

Scenario Creation

10 minutes

  • Divide class into groups of 3–4 students.
  • Provide each group with AI Scenario Template Sheet and a Role-Play Scenario Cards.
  • Instruct groups to read their scenario card and complete the template: characters, setting, ethical dilemma, possible actions.
  • Circulate to support decision-making and clarify principles.

Step 3

Role-Play Presentations

10 minutes

  • Each group presents a 1–2 minute skit demonstrating their AI dilemma and chosen action.
  • Observers use Scenario Reflection Worksheet to note principles practiced, strengths, and alternative solutions.
  • Encourage respectful feedback after each presentation.

Step 4

Reflection and Discussion

5 minutes

  • Lead whole-class debrief: Which principles were most challenging? What impacted decisions?
  • Invite volunteers to share insights from their reflection worksheets.
  • Summarize key takeaways about AI ethics in real-world scenarios.
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Slide Deck

AI Ethics in Action

• Explore real-world AI dilemmas
• Learn 3 key ethics principles
• Design and act out short scenarios
• Reflect on decisions and consequences

Welcome everyone! Today were kicking off our lesson "AI Ethics in Action." Introduce yourself and give a brief overview: in 30 minutes, students will explore AI ethics through collaborative scenario building and role-play. Remind them to listen respectfully and participate actively.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of today, you will:

  1. Identify key AI ethics principles (fairness, transparency, accountability)
  2. Collaborate to design an ethical AI dilemma scenario
  3. Role-play your scenario and practice decision-making
  4. Reflect on how your choices impact others

Read the objective aloud and ask if anyone can restate it in their own words. Emphasize why thinking about AI ethics matters for their lives now and in the future.

Key Principles of AI Ethics

  1. Fairness
    • AI must treat people without bias

  2. Transparency
    • AI decisions should be clear and explainable

  3. Accountability
    • Developers and users take responsibility for outcomes

Distribute the AI Ethics Principles Handout. Briefly explain each term, then ask for quick examples: • Fairness – equal treatment? • Transparency – clear processes? • Accountability – taking responsibility?

Scenario Creation (10 minutes)

  1. Read your Role-Play Scenario Card
  2. Complete the Template:
    • Characters & setting
    • Identify the ethical dilemma
    • List 2–3 possible actions
  3. Choose one action to role-play

Divide the class into groups of 3–4. Distribute the AI Scenario Template Sheet and a Role-Play Scenario Card to each group. Walk around, prompt thinking about the dilemma and possible choices.

Role-Play Presentations (10 minutes)

• Group 1 presents (1–2 minutes)
• Observers note:
– Which principle appears?
– What worked well?
– Other possible actions
• Repeat for remaining groups

Explain timing: each group gets 1–2 minutes to present. Observers fill out the Scenario Reflection Worksheet noting which principles they see and alternative solutions. Encourage supportive feedback.

Reflection & Discussion (5 minutes)

• Which ethics principle was most challenging?
• How did group decisions affect outcomes?
• What new insights did you gain?

Summarize: Responsible AI means thinking ahead about fairness, transparency, and accountability.

Lead a 5-minute whole-class discussion. Ask: Which principle was hardest to apply? How did your group decide? What surprised you about others scenarios? Conclude with key takeaways about the impact of AI ethics.

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Reading

AI Ethics Principles Handout

In today’s world, AI powers apps and tools that help us learn, play, and work. To make sure AI benefits everyone—and harms no one—we follow three key principles:

Fairness

Definition: AI systems must treat all individuals and groups equally, without unfair bias or discrimination.

• Example: A hiring AI that screens resumes should not penalize candidates because of their gender, race, or age.

• Why It Matters: Biased AI can limit opportunities and reinforce social inequalities.

Transparency

Definition: AI decisions should be clear, explainable, and understandable to users.

• Example: A credit-scoring AI clearly explains why it approved or denied a loan application, listing the factors it used.

• Why It Matters: When we understand how AI makes decisions, we can trust it and point out mistakes.

Accountability

Definition: Designers, developers, and users of AI must take responsibility for its actions and consequences.

• Example: A self-driving car company investigates an accident caused by its software and updates its algorithms to improve safety.

• Why It Matters: Accountability ensures that when things go wrong, we fix problems and keep people safe.

Keep this handout handy as you explore AI scenarios. Use Fairness, Transparency, and Accountability to guide your ideas and choices!

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Activity

AI Scenario Template Sheet

Group Members:

  • ___________________________________________________________

Scenario Title:

  • ___________________________________________________________

Characters (Who is involved?):

  • ___________________________________________________________

Setting (Where and when?):

  • ___________________________________________________________

Ethical Dilemma (What issue arises with AI?):

  • ___________________________________________________________


Possible Actions (List 2–3 choices):

  1. ___________________________________________________________

  2. ___________________________________________________________

  3. ___________________________________________________________


Chosen Action (Which option will you role-play?):

  • ___________________________________________________________


Reasoning (Why this action? Which principles apply?):

  • ___________________________________________________________

  • ___________________________________________________________

  • ___________________________________________________________





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Activity

Role-Play Scenario Cards

Choose one of the following AI dilemmas to role-play. Read your card, discuss in your group, then create a short skit showing the characters, the dilemma, and your chosen action.

Card 1: The Biased Scholarship AI
Setting: Middle School Counselors’ Office
Characters: Student applying for a music scholarship; Counselor; AI Scholarship System
Dilemma: The AI uses past data that favors students from certain neighborhoods. Your group must decide how to respond when the AI’s decision seems unfair.

Card 2: The Self-Driving School Bus
Setting: School Bus Route
Characters: Bus Driver; Self-Driving AI System; Passenger Student
Dilemma: The AI detects road construction and reroutes the bus through a quiet neighborhood but delays students. Should the group trust the AI’s choice or intervene?

Card 3: The Chatbot Homework Helper
Setting: Virtual Classroom Chat
Characters: Student; Teacher; AI Chatbot
Dilemma: The chatbot offers full answers instead of hints, so students copy text without learning. Do you limit the AI’s help or keep it available?

Card 4: The Face-Recognition Library
Setting: School Library Entrance
Characters: Librarian; Student; AI Facial Recognition System
Dilemma: The AI flags a student as banned based on outdated data. Should the librarian override the AI or follow its recommendation?

Card 5: The Personalized News App
Setting: Home After School
Characters: Parent; Sibling; AI News App
Dilemma: The AI shows only sensational headlines, causing worry. Should your family limit the app’s recommendations or trust its filter?

Use each card to identify:
• Who is involved and where it happens
• What makes it an ethical dilemma
• Possible actions your group can take
• Which AI ethics principles apply (fairness, transparency, accountability)

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Worksheet

Scenario Reflection Worksheet

Observer Name:

  • ___________________________________________________________


Scenario Title:

  • ___________________________________________________________


Group Number:

  • ___________________________________________________________


  1. Which AI ethics principle(s) did you notice? (Circle all that apply)
    [ ] Fairness
    [ ] Transparency
    [ ] Accountability

  2. How did the group demonstrate this principle in their scenario?

  • ___________________________________________________________





  1. What was one strength of the group’s chosen action?
  • ___________________________________________________________


  1. Describe one alternative action they could have taken to address the dilemma.
  • ___________________________________________________________





  1. Which principle could the group have emphasized more? Why?
  • ___________________________________________________________


  1. What is your personal takeaway from this scenario?
  • ___________________________________________________________










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