How Does AI Actually ‘Think’?
Quick 5-minute starter: understand that AI predicts patterns rather than "thinking", and why hallucinations occur.
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
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Display the title slide and introduce the topic
Slide 1
Frame it as curious exploration — how does this tool students already use actually work?
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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
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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
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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
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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