Inspire Team

Exploring AI Tools

by for .  
#building digital skills
40 - 45

Goal

In this activity, learners will get an introduction to AI (artificial intelligence) applications, focusing on benefits and potential risks. The goal is to understand how AI tools can be used personally and professionally.

Materials

    Instructions

    1. Introduction

      • Explain AI as a smart computer system that thinks like humans but processes a lot of data. There are many AI driven applications that can help us in our everyday lives.

      • Talk to learners about how AI is built into many things we interact with online. Provide them with these examples:

        1. Search Engines: Search engines like Google use AI algorithms to deliver relevant search results based on user queries. The search algorithms continuously learn and adapt to user behavior, providing more personalized results over time.

        2. Social Media Feeds: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter use AI to curate users' feeds based on their interests, engagement history, and online behavior. The content shown is tailored to each user to increase engagement.

        3. Virtual Assistants: Virtual assistants such as Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa employ AI to understand and respond to voice commands. They can perform tasks like setting reminders, answering questions, and providing recommendations.

        4. Email Filters: Email providers use AI-driven filters to identify and categorize emails as spam or important. These filters learn from user actions, improving accuracy in distinguishing between wanted and unwanted emails.

        5. Online Shopping Recommendations: E-commerce platforms use AI algorithms to analyze user browsing and purchase history to suggest products that align with the user's preferences.

        6. Chatbots: Many websites use chatbots powered by AI to provide instant customer support. These bots can answer frequently asked questions, guide users through processes, and offer assistance 24/7.

        7. Language Translation: AI-driven language translation services, like Google Translate, automatically translate text from one language to another.

        8. Content Recommendations: Streaming services, such as Netflix and Spotify, use AI to recommend movies, TV shows, music, or podcasts based on user preferences and viewing/listening history.

        9. Online Advertising: AI is widely used in digital advertising to personalize ad targeting. Ad platforms analyze user behavior to deliver ads that are more likely to resonate with individual users.

        10. Fraud Detection: Financial institutions use AI to detect unusual patterns in online transactions, helping identify and prevent fraudulent activities without requiring manual intervention.

        11. Traffic and Navigation Apps: Navigation apps like Google Maps use AI algorithms to analyze real-time traffic data and provide optimized routes to users based on current conditions.

      • This activity will offer learners a chance to review a small group of free-to-use AI applications that can help learners with their personal and professional goals: Lumen 5, BrandCrowd, ChatGPT, Canva and Grammarly.

        1. Note to instructors: The specific tools used in this activity can be changed or updated, as new evolutions in AI development occur. This activity isn’t about the specific tools, but rather providing learners with experience in using AI.

    2. Review of tools

      • Spend some time introducing the learners to the tools. If time permits, offer a short demo of each. If time does not permit, provide an overview of what the tool offers.

      • See Appendix A for the list of tools and their overviews.

    3. Review some of the risks of AI below with the group.

      • Important to understand how AI operates and why there are risks. AI, or artificial intelligence, relies on complex algorithms and patterns derived from massive datasets. The very nature of AI, while powerful, introduces certain vulnerabilities and challenges.

      • Bias: AI systems learn from the data they are trained on. If this data has biases, the AI can end up reinforcing those biases. For instance, if past data doesn't fairly represent women and minority groups, the AI may produce biased results, contributing to existing inequalities. The risk here is that AI, despite its complexity, is only as good as the data it learns from.

      • Security Risks: AI involves dealing with a lot of personal data. This makes AI systems attractive to hacking and other cybersecurity threats. If unauthorized access happens, personal information may be misused, leading to privacy issues and potential harm.

      • Ethical Concerns: Using AI raises ethical questions about responsibility and decision-making. If a decision is made based on an AI recommendation and it turns out to be flawed or harmful, who is responsible? Ethical concerns arise from the idea of letting machines make decisions, especially in situations where human judgment is crucial.

      • Regulation: Currently, the world of AI lacks clear regulations. The absence of definite rules poses a big risk. It means AI applications can be developed and used without proper oversight. Creating regulations is important to make sure AI is used ethically, protect user rights and reduces risks.

      • Artistic and Creative Plagiarism: In the realm of AI-generated art and content, there's a risk of the technology copying the work of artists and creators. This can challenge the originality and ownership of creative work, as AI-created content might blur the lines between what's made by humans and what's made by machines.

      • Erroneous Information: Another risk comes from AI sometimes providing incorrect information. Because AI models may not always be up to date with the latest information, they might unintentionally offer inaccurate or outdated data, especially in fast-changing fields. This stresses the importance of double-checking and confirming information from AI sources.4. Consider the three scenarios below and using groups/pairs ask them to make recommendations for each, allow 10 min:

    4. Case Studies - Application

      • Let the learners know they’re going to work on a case study to think about how AI might help certain entrepreneurs/individuals with their business goals and ideas.

      • Examples have been provided in Appendix B. Facilitators may want to consider using examples from within the cohort (learners’ own business or project ideas, or those of individuals and guest speakers who are familiar to the learners within the cohort).

      • Create small break out group of 2-4 learners. Assign a case study to each.

      • Provide them with these guiding questions:

        1. Their goal is to figure out how AI could help their entrepreneur. They should identify specific AI tools that could support the entrepreneur in their goal. THey should come up with a list of questions/prompts they could give to the AI to help the entrepreneur. They should also come up with any processes for reviewing or amending the AI results/recommendations.

    5. Case Study Share Back

      • Once everyone is done, invite each group to read their scenario and share the advice and/or steps that they would recommend.

      • Invite the group to discuss and add their own ideas and recommendations.


    Background

    Preparation

    Review each AI tool and test run it, so that you are ready to give a quick demo to the group. 


    Technology Considerations

    • In-Person: No technology is required for this activity.

    • Virtual: If conducting the activity online, ensure learners have access to a video conferencing platform or collaboration tools for pairing up and sharing their ideas. Prepare the breakout groups in advance. Create digital copies of the case studies for ease of access for the learners.


    Additional Context

    AI is endless and there is a lot to explore. Encourage the learners to continue in the exploration.

    Tips for Localization

    • Ask learners to consider how their communities might be reflected through AI programs (or not).

    • Discuss how the lack of information (or lack of accurate information) on Indigenous, rural, remote and Northern communities online, can change the way that AI can support themes connected to their community.

    • Invite learners to try to find a local website (i.e. business, government, community group) that has some component of AI built into it.



    Debrief Questions

    1. Which AI tool intrigued you, and why do you think it could be useful for you?

    2. How might the risks we discussed affect your choice to use AI tools in different situations?

    3. What did you learn about how AI tools can be applied in real-life business, professional or personal situations?

    4. How do you plan to add AI tools to your skills, and what steps will you take to use them responsibly?

    5. Was there anything that you feel inspired to explore further in AI tools?




    Appendix A-AI Tools

    Lumen 5: AI Video Creation

    • Lumen 5 is an AI-powered video creation tool that transforms your written content, such as scripts or blog posts, into engaging videos.

    • Using sophisticated templates, it recommends colors, fonts, and styles to enhance visual appeal.

    • The AI generates a preview with images and text, allowing customization as needed.

    • Users can add music, record their voiceover, or let the tool generate one.

    • Lumen 5 simplifies the video creation process, making it accessible and efficient for various purposes.


    BrandCrowd: AI Logo and Design Assistance

    • BrandCrowd is a tool focused on simplifying logo creation and design.

    • By typing in your business name, the tool rapidly generates a series of logos for selection.

    • Beyond logos, BrandCrowd assists in designing business cards, banners, and social media posts.

    • It streamlines the process of creating a cohesive brand identity, offering convenience and a variety of design options for users.

    • It is particularly useful for those looking to establish a professional and visually appealing brand presence.


    ChatGPT: AI-Powered Text Assistance

    • ChatGPT, in its free version, is a versatile AI tool primarily focused on text-based interactions.

    • It serves various purposes, including generating ideas for activities or projects, explaining complex concepts like the mechanics of tides, composing resumes and cover letters, providing tutoring support for challenging problems or sentences, assisting in writing, fixing, and explaining code, generating business or product names, playing text-based games, offering advice on various topics, and even helping with specific tasks like cooking by providing temperature recommendations.

    • While its capabilities are text-centric, ChatGPT offers a wide range of practical applications.


    Grammarly: AI-Enhanced Proofreading

    • Grammarly is an AI-powered proofreading tool designed to enhance writing quality.

    • It goes beyond basic grammar and spelling checks, offering assistance with plagiarism detection, citation suggestions, and more.

    • Grammarly reduces the time traditionally spent on proofreading tasks.

    • It is a valuable tool for individuals seeking polished and error-free written communication across various contexts, from professional documents to personal writing projects.


    Canva: AI-Powered Visual Design

    • Canva is a platform for photo editing and digital image creation with extensive capabilities.

    • While Canva isn’t isn’t AI powered, it does have various AI image generating tools available to users. These are designed to help you generate images and visuals related to any of your design needs - from crafting visual documents like posters, advertisements, financial reports, and presentations, to creating PDFs, graphs/charts, business cards, greeting cards, invitations and more.


    Appendix B: Case Studies

    Note: these are based on real people, but the situations are fictional

    Yukon Case Studies

    1. Jamena/James Allen owner of Shakut Tun Wilderness camp in the Yukon would like to enhance their business and grow an online experience for people that can’t come in person. Brainstorm some ideas for how he could use these AI tools to develop an online experience for far away customers.

    2. Luann Baker-Johnson of Lumel Studios has decided to rebrand her business with a new name, new colours, and new logo. How could AI help her get started on that journey?

    3. Former Chief of Old Crow, Dana Tizya Tramm has been invited to give a big speech and presentation to the Yukon Government. He has an outline of what he wants to say. How could AI help him to craft a strong speech and presentation?

    4. Evelyn Koh of Acacia Vintage is hoping to get more customers to visit her shop in Haines Junction. She wants to design a poster and advertising campaign that reaches potential customers planning trips to the Yukon, and also reaches people who land at the Whitehorse airport. How could AI help her with this?


    NWT Case Studies

    1. Lila Fraser Erasmus, from NWT has two well established businesses, Bows and Arrows Inc. and Naturally Dene. She is busy and would like to consider merging them together. How could some of the AI tools help get this process started?

    2. Joe Bailey of North Star Adventures would like to enhance their business and grow an online experience for people that can’t come in person. Brainstorm some ideas for how he could use these AI tools to develop an online experience for far away customers.

    3. Jamie Wetrade-Stevenson, of Jamie Stevenson Photography would like to expand her business and artistic practice to include boudoir video offerings. Detail out a process of her steps to think about how to expand using AI.

    4. Vanessa Aegirsdottir is a jewelry maker and designer. She needs more efficiency in her daily work, especially in terms of keeping track of orders, and the processing of hides and furs as they come into her. Make some recommendations for how the AI tools could support this efficiency.



    Nunavut Case Studies

    1. Cora DeVos, owner of Little Inuk Photography would like to expand her business and artistic practice to include video and sound as art forms to show and sell. Detail out a process of her steps to think about how to expand using AI.

    2. Shelly O’Gorman of Nukariit Creations needs more efficiency in her daily work, especially in terms of keeping track of orders, inventory and supplies. Make some recommendations for how the AI tools could support this efficiency.

    3. Andrew Arreak of SmartICE is monitoring sea ice levels in so many different locations. He needs a process to help him keep track of dates, times, sea ice levels and concerns for every location he’s responsible for. How could AI help him with this?

    4. Darlene Eyegetok of InukTrini has decided it’s time to rebrand her business with a new name, new colours, and new logo. How could AI help her get started on that journey?


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