AI Companions is a new phenomenon that is rising at a growing rate. Is this phenomenon just a fad that will be here today and gone tomorrow? Or, is this an alarming trend that is here to stay? Either way, should we be concerned? In this AI Companions: Lesson & Activities, students explore the concept using the provided prompts before deciding if it is a good idea or a bad idea and completing follow-up activities.

Set

• First, if you’d like to read more about this topic before introducing it to your students, here’s a good article from Parents Magazine, titled, “More Kids Are Turning to AI Companions—And It’s Raising Red Flags“.
• There are a couple of different ways you could introduce this topic. Choose both or whichever one works best with your class and/or resources.
• The first way is to have students complete the Title This Picture & Picture Analysis. Assign this as a digital assignment where students answer on their devices or project the images on the screen and have students complete their answers on paper or a white board before discussing as a class. You could also ask them how realistic they think the images or in relation to the real world and see what they say.
• Another way to introduce this topic is to ask student to answer the following prompt: “If you could design the perfect companion (friend, mentor, or support system), what qualities would they have?” Then reveal the following: Many people are turning to AI to try to create this exact kind of relationship. Let’s investigate what that means.

Materials

• iPads or Laptops
• Projector & Screen
• White Boards & Markers (optional)
• Canva (optional)
• Colored Pencils or Markers (optional)

Activities

• Introduce students to the Investigative Study to learn more about AI Companions. Go over the guidesheet so students understand the assignment.
• In this assignment, students must do some research, explore the pros and cons, look for warning signs or red flags of concern before making a final decision as to whether or not AI companions are a good idea or bad idea.
• After students have completed their investigation, it’s time to discuss as a class.
• To help students apply what they’ve learned, assign the Case Study Scenarios individually, with a partner or small group. Students have to apply what they’ve learned about AI companions to each situation as they answer the prompts. When finished, have them come together as a class and discuss their answers.
• To conclude this lesson, assign student the AI Companions Awareness Project. Students must select ONE project from the options listed to help inform parents, caregivers, or peers about the benefits, risks, and concerns of using AI companions. Options include: A PSA Video, Comic Strip (digital or hand-generated) or Awareness Poster. Again, these can be assigned individually, in partners or small groups. Students work through the planning guide and then create their project. When finished, students share them with their class. Note: If students are creating a hand-generated comic strip, then you will need to provide them with a template and colored pencils or markers. This Comic Strip Storyboard Templates, TPT freebie, has a variety of different options to choose from.

Attachments

• Title This Picture & Picture Analysis (PDF)
• Investigative Study (PDF)
• Case Study Scenarios (PDF)
• AI Companions Awareness Project (PDF)