AI Literacy Skills 101 Course

Lesson 8: Problem Solving with AI

Lesson overview

In this lesson, students will explore how to make thoughtful decisions about when and how to use AI for a task. They’ll examine the capabilities and limits of AI, and consider the risks, responsibilities, and ethical gray areas that come with it. Using a gradient sort activity, students will wrestle with real-life scenarios that don’t have simple right or wrong answers and practice using reflection, reasoning, and discussion to make informed choices.

This lesson builds on the ideas from Lesson 6 (SAMR) and can be used alongside it to support deeper reflections and decision-making.

• As a teacher, watch the Problem Solving with AI video independently first.
• As a class, watch the video together.
• Complete Exercise 8: Gray Area Sort to reflect on how to approach tricky or uncertain situations with AI use.

Lesson objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Analyze the risks and benefits of using AI for different tasks.
• Identify gray areas where AI use might be questionable or debated.
• Make informed decisions about using AI by thinking critically and ethically.

Video 8: Problem Solving with AI

Exercise 8: Real-World Problem Solving with AI

Lesson resources:

• Gray Area Sort Worksheet
• Post-it Notes

Step 1: Introduce a New Assignment
Present a new assignment that students haven’t worked on before. Choose something flexible and creative, like:

• Writing a persuasive letter
• Creating a presentation or video to explain a concept
• Designing a campaign or product
• Writing a personal narrative

Let students know the goal is to thoughtfully decide how (or if) AI could be used to support the work, building on everything they’ve learned.

Step 2: Pair Brainstorm
In pairs, students brainstorm at least five different ways AI could be used for this assignment.

Before they begin, invite students to look back at the SAMR model for inspiration. Encourage them to think across all levels, from simple support to more creative, transformative uses of AI.

Step 3: Gradient Sort Together
Using the gray area spectrum from the video, each pair places their five ideas along the gradient.

Have them discuss:

• Where did we agree?
• Where did we disagree?
• What made an idea feel more or less acceptable?

Step 4: Whole Class Discussion

Each pair brings one AI use idea that they think is totally ok to share with the class. 

As a class, discuss:

• What patterns are emerging?
• How are we thinking differently now compared to earlier lessons?

Step 5: Finalize Agreements

As a class, revisit the ideas shared during the discussion and finalize a short list of essential agreements for how AI can be used on the assignment.

What’s next

Take the final assessment to earn your certificate. Thank you so much for joining us!