← Back to Home Tech & AI Classes

AI Ethics Debate 🤖

Should We or Shouldn't We?
Grades 10–12
"Using what we know about AI to tackle real-world questions"

How This Works 🎯

Today's Format (50 minutes):

Debate Rules:

  • Respect each other — disagree on ideas, not people
  • Use evidence and examples — back up your claims
  • It's okay to argue for something you don't personally believe — this is about critical thinking
💡 This debate isn't about finding a "right" answer — it's about exploring the complexity of AI ethics!

Pick Your Topic 🎲

Choose ONE to start (or let the class vote):

1️⃣ AI Cheating Detection

Should schools use AI to monitor students for cheating?

2️⃣ AI Job Screening

Should companies use AI to screen job applications?

3️⃣ AI-Generated Content

Should AI-generated work compete in competitions?

4️⃣ AI Content Moderation

Should AI automatically remove harmful content?

5️⃣ AI in Healthcare

Should AI decide which patients get treated first?

Topic 1: AI Cheating Detection 🚨

Debate Question:

"Should schools be allowed to use AI to monitor students for cheating on tests and assignments?"

Think About:

  • Privacy vs. academic integrity
  • AI accuracy and false accusations
  • Trust between students and teachers
  • Cost and effectiveness
💡 Remember: AI systems can make mistakes. What happens if a student is falsely accused of cheating?

Topic 2: AI Job Screening 💼

Debate Question:

"Should companies use AI to automatically screen job applications and decide who gets interviewed?"

Think About:

  • Efficiency vs. fairness
  • Bias in training data (remember our lessons!)
  • Missing unique candidates
  • Human judgment vs. AI patterns
💡 We've learned that training data can contain bias. What if the AI was trained on historical hiring data that discriminated against certain groups?

Topic 3: AI-Generated Content 🎨

Debate Question:

"Should AI-generated art, music, or writing be allowed to compete in contests against human-created work?"

Think About:

  • What counts as "creativity"?
  • Fairness to human artists
  • Who owns AI-generated work?
  • Technology vs. tradition
💡 Is it fair for AI art (trained on millions of human works) to compete against artists who spent years developing their craft?

Topic 4: AI Content Moderation 📱

Debate Question:

"Should social media platforms use AI to automatically remove posts it thinks are harmful, without human review?"

Think About:

  • Free speech vs. safety
  • AI mistakes and context
  • Speed vs. accuracy
  • Who decides what's "harmful"?
💡 AI struggles with sarcasm, context, and cultural nuance. Can it really decide what's "harmful"?

Topic 5: AI in Healthcare 🏥

Debate Question:

"Should hospitals use AI systems to decide which emergency patients get treated first?"

Think About:

  • Life-or-death accuracy
  • Bias affecting vulnerable groups
  • Speed in emergencies
  • Doctor expertise vs. AI data
💡 This is the most serious. What if the AI was trained on data that prioritizes certain populations over others?

Divide & Prepare ⏱️

Duration: 15 minutes

LEFT SIDE = PRO (For the idea)

Come up with:

  • 3 strong arguments WHY this should happen
  • Real examples or evidence
  • Responses to concerns

RIGHT SIDE = CON (Against the idea)

Come up with:

  • 3 strong arguments WHY this should NOT happen
  • Real examples or evidence
  • Responses to the benefits
💻 Devices Encouraged: You can use tablets/laptops to research, ChatGPT, Google — find real examples and statistics! This makes arguments stronger and turns it from "making stuff up" to real research.
💡 Bonus irony: You're using AI to debate about AI ethics! Use what we've learned about algorithms, bias, training data, and neural networks!

Debate Format 🎤

Duration: 25 minutes

ROUND 1: Opening Statements (8 minutes)

  • PRO side presents main arguments (2–3 mins)
  • CON side presents main arguments (2–3 mins)

ROUND 2: Rebuttals (8 minutes)

  • PRO responds to CON's concerns (2–3 mins)
  • CON responds to PRO's points (2–3 mins)

ROUND 3: Open Discussion (8 minutes)

  • Anyone can speak (raise hands)
  • Ask questions to the other side
  • Challenge arguments with evidence
🎓 Teacher's Role: Keep time strictly, prompt shy students, write key arguments on the board, remind about respect if debate gets heated.

Reflection Questions 🧠

Duration: 5 minutes

Let's Discuss:

  • Did anyone's real opinion change during the debate?
  • What was the strongest argument from either side?
  • How did our AI lessons (bias, algorithms, neural networks) help you argue?
  • Is there a "right" answer to these questions?

Key Takeaway:

Understanding how AI works is just the beginning. The harder questions are about when and how we should use it.

💡 Be ready to share your own thoughts. Acknowledge there are no easy answers. Praise good critical thinking!

Connection to What We've Learned 🔗

Remember our previous lessons?

Algorithms

Can make biased decisions if not designed carefully

How Machines Learn

Training data affects outcomes and can perpetuate bias

Bias

Can discriminate against entire groups of people

Neural Networks

Complex but not perfect — they make mistakes and lack true understanding

🎯 The Bigger Picture: Technical knowledge + ethical thinking = responsible AI use

If Time Allows... ⏰

Option 1: Quick Vote

Want to debate another topic? Pick from the remaining ones!

This works especially well if you have engaged participants ready for more.

Option 2: Quick Reflection Activity

"In 2 minutes, write down:"

  • One AI use that worries you
  • One AI use that excites you

Share responses with the class if time permits.

Why This Matters 🌍

→ You'll encounter AI in jobs, school, and daily life

→ Understanding the technology helps you ask better questions

→ You have a voice in how AI gets used in society

"The future of AI isn't decided by computer scientists alone — it's shaped by people who understand both the technology AND the ethics."

Thanks for debating! Questions? Thoughts?

↑ Back to Top