Driven by AI: The Ethics of Self-Driving Cars
Overview: Autonomous vehicles have potential to decrease traffic, fossil fuel emissions and human-caused accidents, but also raise a number of ethical concerns. Can we trust these vehicles to be safe? Will they behave ethically in emergency situations? Who will benefit most from this technology - and who might be harmed? How can we ensure that self-driving vehicles are a benefit to all of society? Students are already - and will continue to be - consumers and designers of this technology and its application in the world. This unit develops their critical understanding and awareness of the issues, as well as the AI and engineering design underlying these technologies.
Students will explore the AI technology that allows cars to drive themselves, read a short story involving an ethical dilemma, and discuss a range of ethical issues posed by autonomous vehicles. The project culminates with each student creating a video PSA or advertisement in which they express their personal ethical stance on self-driving vehicles.
Driving Question: How can we be ethical designers and consumers of self-driving cars?
Duration: Approximately 5 hours. We recommend that you begin with our Introduction to AI, Machine Learning and Ethics lesson. Opportunities for expanding this unit are described throughout the lesson plan.
Target Audience: Students in grades 7-10, in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Computer Science or interdisciplinary combinations.
AI Story: ZapCar by Ellie Haberl