MIT News presents the timely convergence of the AI curriculum with the Day of AI for enhanced appeal.
Introduction:
MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) recently held its second annual Day of AI, which consisted of two flagship local events. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston hosted a human rights and data policy-focused event, while Dearborn STEM Academy in Massachusetts hosted a student workshop in collaboration with Amazon Future Engineer. With over 8,000 registrations from participants in all 50 U.S. states and 108 countries, the Day of AI saw a significant increase in participation compared to the previous year. The event aimed to provide free lessons and activities to teach children the basics and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Full Article: MIT News presents the timely convergence of the AI curriculum with the Day of AI for enhanced appeal.
MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) recently held its second annual Day of AI, featuring two flagship events. One event, focused on human rights and data policy, was hosted by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate in Boston and streamed worldwide. The other event, a student workshop in collaboration with Amazon Future Engineer, took place at the Dearborn STEM Academy in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The Day of AI program aims to teach children of all ages and backgrounds about the basics and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
Increased Participation and New Modules
Participation in the Day of AI has more than doubled since its inaugural year in 2022, with over 8,000 registrations from all 50 U.S. states and 108 countries in 2023. This year, educators had the flexibility to run the curriculum at any time and in any increments they chose. The curriculum featured five new modules addressing timely topics such as ChatGPT in School, Teachable Machines, AI and Social Media, Data Science and Me, and more. The program also collaborated with the International Society for Technology in Education to introduce modules for early elementary students.
Excitement and Engagement from Educators
Educators from around the world shared their enthusiasm and experiences of their students’ engagement with the Day of AI curriculum. They expressed excitement and relief over the accessible lessons and how they resonated with their students. Professor Cynthia Breazeal, director of RAISE, emphasized the importance of celebrating teachers and students who are working towards ensuring that AI is for everyone.
Human Rights and Data Policy Event
The global Day of AI celebration featured a human rights and data policy-focused event at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate. The event included speakers from various sectors, including education, government, and business. MIT President Sally Kornbluth welcomed the students and highlighted the potential of AI while emphasizing the need for responsible use to avoid harm to individuals and society as a whole. Speakers from the City of Boston, Liberty Mutual, and MIT discussed how AI can be used to improve city life in equitable and accessible ways.
Addressing Human Rights Concerns
The event also explored the human rights concerns associated with AI. Discussion sessions focused on how government policy can shape technology development and use, including the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. Students from Warren Prescott Middle School engaged in a mock U.S. Senate trial activity, investigating the potential rights undermined by AI in different sectors. New Mission High School students worked on developing bill S.2314, the Social Media Addiction Reduction Technology Act, discussing the need for parental, educational, and governmental control to address internet addiction risks.
Student Workshop with Amazon Future Engineer
The Day of AI included a student workshop at the Dearborn STEM Academy in collaboration with Amazon Future Engineer. Students had the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities using MIT App Inventor to code basic commands for Amazon’s Alexa. The workshop aimed to expose students to different experiences and inspire them to pursue careers in computer science and engineering. Amazon also made a philanthropic contribution of $25,000 to the Boston Public School system to support innovation and early college pathways programs.
Day of AI in Australia
The Day of AI program had a global impact, with Australian educators adapting the curriculum to their own regionally specific needs. The program reached 85,000 students at over 400 secondary schools in Australia, sparking curiosity in the next generation of AI experts. The interest in AI is growing rapidly, and the Day of AI provides a valuable opportunity for K-12 students to shape the future of technology.
Shaping a Digital Future
The Day of AI aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to shape the digital future. The program offers a unique opportunity for students to explore the possibilities and implications of AI. By providing accessible and engaging lessons, MIT RAISE and its partners are empowering students to become informed voices in shaping the ethical and responsible use of AI.
Summary: MIT News presents the timely convergence of the AI curriculum with the Day of AI for enhanced appeal.
MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) recently marked the second annual Day of AI with two flagship local events. The event at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate in Boston focused on human rights and data policy and was streamed worldwide. Students also attended a workshop at Dearborn STEM Academy in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in collaboration with Amazon Future Engineer. The Day of AI program, designed by researchers at MIT RAISE, aims to teach kids of all backgrounds about the basics and responsible use of AI. Participation in Day of AI has more than doubled since its inaugural year, with over 8,000 registrations from all 50 U.S. states and 108 countries in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: What is artificial intelligence (AI)?
A1: Artificial intelligence, often abbreviated as AI, is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating smart machines that can perform tasks that would typically require human intelligence. It involves developing computer systems that can analyze their surroundings, learn from experiences, make decisions, and solve problems without explicit human intervention.
Q2: How does artificial intelligence work?
A2: Artificial intelligence utilizes various techniques and technologies, such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, to enable machines to mimic human intelligence. Machine learning algorithms enable computers to learn from massive amounts of data and make predictions or decisions based on patterns and associations. Deep learning, a subset of machine learning, involves artificial neural networks that are modeled after the human brain, allowing machines to recognize and classify data. Natural language processing enables computers to understand and generate human language, while computer vision enables them to interpret visual information.
Q3: What are the practical applications of artificial intelligence?
A3: Artificial intelligence has a wide range of practical applications across various industries. For instance, it is used in the healthcare sector to analyze medical images and aid in the diagnosis of diseases. AI is also employed in autonomous vehicles to enable self-driving cars. Other applications include virtual personal assistants, fraud detection in finance, personalized recommendations in e-commerce, language translation, and automation in manufacturing.
Q4: What are the potential benefits of artificial intelligence?
A4: Artificial intelligence offers numerous benefits, such as improved efficiency, accuracy, and productivity. It can automate repetitive tasks, freeing up human resources to focus on more complex and creative tasks. AI systems can also process and analyze vast amounts of data rapidly, leading to more accurate predictions and faster decision-making. Additionally, AI has the potential to enhance healthcare outcomes, optimize energy usage, improve customer experiences, and even contribute to scientific discoveries.
Q5: Are there any ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence?
A5: Yes, there are several ethical concerns associated with artificial intelligence. One major concern is the potential impact on employment, as AI may replace certain jobs, leading to job displacement for certain individuals. Privacy and security issues arise due to the extensive collection and utilization of personal data by AI systems. There are also concerns regarding bias in AI algorithms, as they can inadvertently amplify existing prejudices or discriminate against certain groups. Moreover, questions around accountability, transparency, and the potential misuse of AI technologies continue to be debated. It is essential to address these ethical concerns to ensure that artificial intelligence is deployed responsibly and for the benefit of society.
