artificial intelligence

Basic Information in Japanese

Basic Information in English

AI Overview in easy-to-understand English 

(Gemini-generated; edited over multiple interactions)

Key Issues

      AI is not just a technology, but a system of power that reproduces and creates inequalities and negative impacts for different groups in society. Globally, powerful nations and corporations control most of the infrastructure, algorithms, and microchips needed to build AI, while local communities bear the real-world consequences—such as job loss, “algorithmic discrimination” (see below), and environmental damage. 

      The spreading use of AI has numerous environmental and social impacts. High-resource nations and wealthier economies use AI to automate industries, boost economic productivity, and manage public services at lower labour costs. AI data centres consume vast amounts of electricity and local water supplies, and are often built near marginalised communities or communities that have little control over their construction or the local resources that data centres need in order to operate. Office, factory, and service workers lose employment when AI automation replaces their work. Minority languages, local traditions, and non-Western worldviews are under-represented or erased in AI outputs.

What is algorithmic discrimination?  

      This happens when a computer program or AI treats certain people unfairly because of their race, gender, income, or background, for example. It happens because the program was trained on one-sided or incomplete information, leading it to make unfair decisions—like rejecting someone for a place at university, a job, a scholarship, or medical care based on who they are.

Some Broader Issues

      The quickly spreading use of AI involves other important social issues. 

      Misinformation and deepfakes: It is easy to create fake images, voices, and news, which can destroy public trust and be used to manipulate public opinion. 

      Privacy and copyright violations: AI models are trained on vast amounts of personal data, artworks, and private information, which have been used without permission or compensation. 

      Loss of human agency: This occurs when people overuse AI, which can weaken people's critical thinking and erase diverse perspectives. 

      Mental health impacts: AI is designed to be addictive, and AI chatbots may replace real-world human relationships and understanding. 

      Automated warfare: The increasing use of AI for military purposes raises severe ethical concerns, as algorithms—rather than humans—are given the power to make life-or-death decisions in conflict zones.

Sharing Your Initial Thoughts

1. Which points in the What It Is section and/or the Broader Issues overview do you find the most interesting, and which points do you have questions about? Why?

2. Do you disagree with any points in the AI Overview? If so, which point(s), and why?

3. Share your ideas about 1. and 2. with (an)other student(s).

Developing Your Own Critical Inquiry

1. What do you find interesting, surprising, or worrying about Artificial Intelligence?

2. What do you want to find out about Artificial Intelligence? Why?

3. What focus do you want to take in your inquiry:

• People's individual experiences and perspectives? 

• Situations and issues in a local community, town or city?

• Different actions taken by local or regional organisations and actors? 

• Law, policy, human rights, political issues, or systemic changes at the national/international levels?

• A mixture of angles and viewpoints?

4. What are your starting questions and next steps?