How Does AI Actually ‘Think’?

Quick 5-minute starter: understand that AI predicts patterns rather than "thinking", and why hallucinations occur.

Lesson Starter Smart 5 min Beginner Discussion

Preparation

  • Load slides 1–7 on the projector
  • Arrange students into pairs
  • Ensure all students have access to ChatGPT or similar tool (optional)

Learning objectives

  • Understand that AI predicts patterns rather than 'thinking'
  • Recognise the difference between pattern prediction and understanding
  • Learn why AI 'hallucinations' occur

Instructions

  1. Display the title slide and introduce the topic Slide 1

    Frame it as curious exploration — how does this tool students already use actually work?

  2. Show the Did You Know facts and read aloud 60 seconds Slide 2 Pair discussion

    Pause on "hallucinations happen regularly" — students are often surprised by this

  3. Ask "Do you think ChatGPT understands you?" — students discuss in pairs, then reveal answers Slide 3-4

    Circulate and listen — note any students who say AI "thinks" for gentle correction during the reveal

  4. Ask "Does it matter if AI doesn't understand?" — students discuss in pairs, then reveal answers Slide 6

    Push students toward real-world consequences — health advice, legal questions, safety information

  5. Display the Being AI-Smart key takeaways and summarise Slide 7

    Emphasise point 2 — always verify. Invite students to share one habit they'll change

Key definitions

Large Language Model (LLM)
AI trained on billions of texts to predict and generate human-like language. Works by predicting the most likely next word based on patterns, not by understanding meaning.
Hallucination
When AI confidently generates false or made-up information. Happens because AI predicts 'likely' text, not verified facts.

Differentiation

Support

Provide a simplified definition sheet. Pair weaker students with stronger partners.

Stretch

Ask students to find a real example of an AI hallucination and explain why it happened.

SEND

Pre-teach key vocabulary before the lesson. Provide visual aids for abstract concepts.

Extension activities

  • Research one real-world AI hallucination and present it in 2 minutes next lesson Next lesson