Psy9 Artificial Intelligence project
The primary aim of this project is to see how Artificial Intelligence is creeping into our lives in different ways at different stages of life. For this project, my definition of Artificial Intelligence is when a person defers to a machine (computer, tablet, phone, etc.) to make a decision or “think” in lieu of using the necessary mental energy. Common examples of AI that fit this definition would be using bots (e.g., Chat GPT) to answer school questions, asking “Alexa” what to make for breakfast, allowing algorithmic processes (e.g., Twitter/X “for you” feed) to dictate what content you interact with on social media, and many more. Note: Even as I type this, my computer keeps making suggestions to me as to what words I might want to use to complete my thoughts / sentences. Importantly, *technology itself* is not AI for the purposes of this project. For example, deciding to use your phone to text your friend is your decision with your own thoughts! But, if you get an unsolicited reminder from your phone which convinces you to do it (e.g., do you want to text your friend right now?), that would be AI.
It is undeniable that AI is affecting us all, and continues to impose itself into our thought processes more each year. However, it is also apparent that it is affecting people differently based on where they are in their developmental process when they are introduced to this technology. This project will help you break down how it affects different age groups differently, and how different cohorts are being affected by being different ages during this particular time in history.
Assignment:
Find ways to consider how Artificial Intelligence is influencing *thinking and decision making* in each of the following four age groups: Young children (0-10), older children / teens (11-20), young / emerging adults (21-35), middle aged adults (35-55)
Answer the following questions (2 pages per question; 6 pages total). Make sure to discuss each of the four age groups for each question.
Provide at least 3 (different) examples of how AI has affected each group’s ability to develop it’s own critical thinking / decision-making strategies. Make sure these examples are age appropriate (e.g., a child 10 or under is less likely to be influenced by cell phones as 11-20 year olds). In order to do this, you must really think about what different ways people of each age group interact with technology (and why they interact with technology).
Weigh the pros and cons for each group using AI in the ways you identified in question 1. Clearly state and support presumed benefits and detriments to adopting AI as opposed to thinking / making decisions on their own.
Predict how the use of AI will affect each cohort in the future. Speculate ~5 years ahead (around the year 2030) and then ~25 years ahead (around the year 2050). Include discussion on how you think future cohorts in each age group will change over time as the technology changes (e.g., how different will 10 year olds be in 10 years than they are now due to the effects of AI usage in their first 10 years of life?). Include any final thoughts on how you think about AI differently now after this project.
No specific formatting is required but APA style is preferred and is a good habit to get into for Psychology classes. Also, needless to say, but I will say it anyway, please don’t use AI to write this paper (even as an editor or grammar correction tool).
The first two questions are 40 points each. The third question is more speculative and less evidence based, so it is worth 20 points.
