Lesson 3: Measuring the Social Impact of AI
Overview
AI systems can drive innovation, but they can also create unintended harm, especially for marginalized groups. By learning to evaluate AI’s real-world effects, students develop the skills to recognize both benefits and risks, and to advocate for technologies that promote fairness, accountability, and well-being.
After this lesson, students will be able to...
- Define social impact and explain how it can be positive, negative, or mixed.
- Distinguish quantitative (data, metrics) and anecdotal evidence (stories, testimonies) when evaluating AI.
- Analyze AI case studies to assess whether a technology’s impact aligns with its intent.
- Recommend improvements to better align AI systems with ethics, equity, and community needs.