Basic AI Interactions

Have you ever used your phone to ask a question, such as 'What is the weather today?', and received an immediate response? This is an example of interacting with artificial intelligence, or AI. In this lesson, you will learn about how we communicate with AI in everyday situations, including chatting with it, asking questions, and using it for fun activities. Think of AI as a helpful tool that is always available to assist you.

AI interaction involves communicating with computer systems that are designed to think and respond in ways similar to humans. These systems are created through advanced programming. By the end of this lesson, you will understand some common methods of interacting with AI, how these interactions function, and important tips for using AI safely and effectively.

We will explore examples from daily life, such as voice assistants and smart suggestions in apps. You will also consider the benefits and limitations of AI, and participate in an activity to practise these concepts. This knowledge will help you use AI confidently in school, at home, and beyond.

Artificial intelligence, is integrated into many aspects of your daily life, including at home, in school, during gaming, and while messaging. Below, we will examine some common examples of how AI assists in these areas. Each example demonstrates how AI processes information to provide helpful responses or suggestions.

• Voice Assistants: Tools such as Siri or Alexa allow you to give verbal commands. For instance, if you say, 'Play my favourite song,' the assistant recognises your voice, interprets the request, and plays the music. This interaction relies on AI's ability to understand spoken language and respond accordingly.
• Google Translate: This application uses AI to convert text from one language to another. You can type a phrase in English, and it will provide an instant translation into another language, such as Irish or Spanish. This is particularly useful for school assignments or communicating with people from different countries.
• Autocomplete and Smart Replies: In messaging applications, AI suggests words or phrases as you type. For example, it might offer 'Thanks!' as a quick reply to a message. This feature predicts what you are likely to say next based on common patterns in communication.
• Search Suggestions: When using a search engine like Google, AI anticipates your query. If you begin typing 'best ga,' it may suggest 'best games for 2023.' This helps you find information more efficiently by predicting and completing your search terms.
• Recommendation Engines: Platforms such as YouTube or Netflix employ AI to suggest content. Based on your viewing history, it recommends videos or shows that match your interests, enhancing your entertainment experience.
• Virtual Tutors in Educational Apps: Some learning applications use AI to provide personalised help. For example, if you are practising maths, the AI might suggest problems based on your skill level and offer explanations for incorrect answers.

AI doesn't use real magic; it's all about patterns and learning from data. Here's how it works at a basic level:

1. Training Data: AI learns from tons of examples, like millions of sentences for autocomplete, so it knows common words.
2. Pattern Recognition: It spots repeats, like noticing you often search for football after 'Man United', so it suggests related things.
3. Predicting What You Want: Using patterns, AI guesses your next move. For voice assistants, it matches your words to trained responses.

It's like a super-fast brain that gets better with more info. But remember, it's programmed by people, so it's only as good as its training!

Can You Spot the AI Interaction?

Now that you've learnt about how we interact with AI, let's test your skills with a fun activity. AI systems are often working behind the scenes, and knowing how to spot them is an important part of digital media literacy.

In this exercise, you'll read five short scenarios. For each one, decide if you're interacting with a real person or an AI system. Think about clues like: Does it respond instantly? Does it give personalised answers? Is the reply too general or robotic?

1. Scenario: You open a shopping website and a message pops up: "Hi there! Need help choosing a product?"
2. Scenario: You text your friend about homework and they reply, "Sure! What topic are you stuck on?"
3. Scenario: You type a question into a customer support box and get a response in 1 second: "Reset your password by clicking this link."
4. Scenario: A teacher replies to your email about a project with suggestions and feedback tailored just to you.
5. Scenario: You ask your smart speaker, "What’s the capital of Italy?" and it answers right away.

Now, decide for each: AI or Human? Write down your answer and explain why you think so.

When you're ready, click the button below to reveal the answers.

Understanding Inputs and Outputs in AI

In artificial intelligence interactions, it is essential to comprehend the concepts of inputs and outputs. These form the foundation of how you communicate with AI systems. An input is the information or command that you provide to the AI, while an output is the response or action that the AI generates based on that input. This process enables AI to assist you effectively in various tasks.

By understanding inputs and outputs, you will appreciate why providing clear and specific information is crucial for obtaining accurate and helpful responses from AI. Let us examine these concepts in greater detail.

1. Inputs: What You Provide to the AI

Inputs are the data or instructions that you give to an AI system to initiate a response. These can take several forms, depending on the tool or application you are using. Here are some common examples:

• Voice Commands: Speaking aloud, such as asking, 'What is the weather today?' This input is processed by voice recognition technology.
• Text Entries: Typing a question or phrase, for instance, 'How do I reset my password?' This is common in chatbots or search engines.
• Clicks or Selections: Interacting through actions, like choosing a recommended video in an app. The AI interprets your choice as input to suggest further content.

2. Outputs: What the AI Provides in Return

Outputs are the results generated by the AI after processing your input. These can be delivered in various formats to suit the context of your query. Examples include:

• Spoken Responses: The AI replies verbally, such as a voice assistant announcing the current weather conditions.
• Written Messages or Answers: Text-based replies, like a detailed explanation displayed on your screen in response to a question.
• Recommended Actions: Suggestions or automated tasks, for example, the AI playing a video or suggesting a product based on your preferences.

Outputs are designed to be helpful and relevant, drawing from the AI's trained data and patterns.

Grasping the relationship between inputs and outputs will help you interact with AI more confidently. It demonstrates how AI systems utilise the information you provide to generate useful responses, and it underscores the importance of precision in your communications with AI.