Extended Topics for Advanced Discussion

The following topics can be developed into structured exercises using the pedagogical formats described above:

Big Tech and AI Democracy (45 minutes)Complexity Level: Advanced

Procedure

1. Students investigate the concentration of AI development capacity within major technology corporations
2. Class discusses implications for accessibility, algorithmic bias, market competition, and democratic governance
3. Students consider alternative models for AI development, including open-source initiatives, public funding, and cooperative governance structures
4. Labor Conditions in AI Development (45 minutes)Complexity Level: Advanced

Procedure

1. Students research the human labor infrastructure behind AI training, including data labeling, content moderation, and quality assurance
2. Discuss ethical implications of AI supply chains, working conditions, and labor practices
3. Consider how training conditions and labor practices might systematically affect AI outputs and biases
4. Hallucination and the Black Box Problem (45 minutes)Complexity Level: Advanced

Procedure

1. Students systematically document instances of AI "hallucinations" (confidently stated but factually incorrect outputs)
2. Investigate technical and statistical reasons why AI systems generate false information
3. Discuss implications of opaque decision-making processes for trust, accountability, and verification
4. Consider how lack of explainability affects the appropriate use of AI in high-stakes contexts