Learning Materials: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)
1. Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, learners will be able to:
• Define Artificial Intelligence and explain its goals.
• Understand the history and evolution of AI.
• Identify different types of AI and its subfields.
• Recognize real-world applications of AI.
• Explain the basic concepts behind Machine Learning and Neural Networks.
2. Lesson Outline / Syllabus
Lesson Topic Key Concepts
1 What is AI? Definition, Goals of AI, Turing Test
2 History of AI Evolution from 1950s to modern AI
Reactive, Limited Memory, Theory of Mind, Self-
3 Types of AI
aware AI
ML, NLP, Robotics, Computer Vision, Expert
4 Subfields of AI
Systems
AI vs Machine Learning vs Deep
5 Definitions and Differences
Learning
6 AI Applications AI in healthcare, business, finance, daily life
7 Ethics in AI Bias, Privacy, Transparency, AI Safety
Python, Jupyter, Google Colab, TensorFlow, scikit-
8 Tools & Programming for AI
learn
3. Lesson 1: What is AI?
Definition:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are
programmed to think and learn.
Goals of AI:
• Make machines smart (reasoning, learning, planning).
• Improve decision-making.
• Automate manual and cognitive tasks.
Example:
• Google Assistant responding to voice commands.
• Facebook recognizing faces in photos.
Activity:
Discussion Prompt: What are examples of AI you use daily without realizing it?
4. Lesson 2: Brief History of AI
Year Milestone
1950 Alan Turing publishes "Computing Machinery and Intelligence"
1956 Term "Artificial Intelligence" coined at Dartmouth Conference
1980s Rise of Expert Systems
2012 Deep Learning breakthroughs (ImageNet)
2020+ Widespread use of ChatGPT, AI in business, medicine, and art
Activity:
Create a timeline showing important milestones in AI history.
5. Lesson 3: Types and Subfields of AI
Types of AI:
1. Narrow AI: Specific task (e.g., Siri)
2. General AI: Human-like reasoning (still in development)
3. Super AI: Hypothetical AI beyond human intelligence
Subfields of AI:
• Machine Learning
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Robotics
• Computer Vision
• Expert Systems
Quick Quiz:
What subfield of AI helps computers understand text or speech?
6. Lesson 4: AI vs ML vs DL
AI ML DL
Broad field Subset of AI Subset of ML
Simulates human thinking Learns from data Uses neural networks
Eg. Rule-based systems Eg. Regression models Eg. Image recognition
Visual:
A Venn diagram showing AI > ML > DL relationship
7. Lesson 5: Real-world AI Applications
In Healthcare:
• Diagnosis from X-rays
• Drug discovery
🛍 In Retail:
• Recommendation engines (Amazon, Netflix)
• Chatbots
In Daily Life:
• Voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant)
• Face unlock on phones
Activity:
Write a short paragraph on how AI improves your daily routine.
8. Lesson 6: Ethics in AI
Concerns:
• AI bias
• Job displacement
• Privacy invasion
• Unexplainable algorithms
Group Activity:
Debate: "Should AI be allowed to make decisions in law enforcement?"
9. Optional Hands-On Project (Beginner Level)
Title: Build a Simple Chatbot using Python
Tools: Google Colab or Replit
Libraries: NLTK or basic if-else logic
Objective: Create a chatbot that can greet users and answer basic questions about AI.
10. Printable Handouts / Downloads
Would you like me to generate:
• A printable PDF version of these materials?
• A PowerPoint slide deck for teaching?
• An editable Notion/Word/Google Docs template?
