Hour of AI introduces students and communities to artificial intelligence through fun, accessible activities that demystify AI concepts and spark curiosity about technology’s role in our world.
"Welcome to your journey with Hour of AI! Imagine one hour of curiosity, discovery, and friendly exploration; together we’ll uncover how artificial intelligence works, where it shows up in our lives, and how we can shape its role in our world." -
1-2 hours for preparation and a one-hour activity session.
Get Ready
Begin by exploring the Hour of AI resources. Review the facilitator guide, sample lessons, and FAQs to understand the flow of activities. Choose whether to focus on hands-on coding, interactive AI demonstrations, or discussion-based exercises, depending on your group’s age and background.
Prepare your logistics: secure a location (classroom, library, community hall), test internet access, and check that devices are charged and working. Print any worksheets or discussion prompts. If you anticipate large numbers, recruit co-facilitators or volunteers to help.
Troubleshooting tip: some participants may have limited prior experience with technology. Address this by choosing unplugged activities (like paper-based exercises) or pairing learners for peer support. Reflect on your preparation: does your plan balance fun, learning, and accessibility? Adjust before launch.
Introduce AI Concepts
Open your session with a simple explanation: AI is technology designed to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, like recognizing speech, translating languages, or recommending videos. Use relatable examples such as voice assistants, chatbots, or image filters to spark recognition.
Set a welcoming tone by asking participants how they already use AI. This helps normalize the topic and reduce intimidation. Share the learning goals: to explore how AI works, practice with examples, and discuss its real-world impact.
Watch a short introduction video provided by Code.org to ground participants. Troubleshooting tip: if participants seem overwhelmed, remind them the activity is exploratory, not a test. Reflection: check in with learners, what surprised them? What do they hope to learn? Their input helps guide pacing.
Run the Activities
Dive into the selected Hour of AI activity. Options include training a computer to recognize objects, experimenting with a chatbot, or analyzing how AI might generate art. For younger audiences, try unplugged activities like sorting shapes to simulate pattern recognition.
Facilitate hands-on learning by encouraging experimentation and peer discussion. Move around the room to support participants, ensuring everyone stays engaged.
Common challenges include technical glitches (slow internet, blocked sites) or learners struggling with new terms. Prepare backups like screenshots, printed materials, or offline demos. Reflection: pause midway to ask learners what they’ve discovered. Encourage sharing both successes and struggles; it normalizes the learning process.
Discuss Ethics and Impact
After the activity, guide a group discussion on AI’s opportunities and challenges. Use prompts such as: How might AI help in healthcare or education? What risks exist around bias, privacy, or job impacts? Code.org provides ready-made ethical scenarios to spark dialogue.
Encourage multiple perspectives: students, parents, or community members may view AI differently. Emphasize that critical thinking is as important as technical skills.
If discussions stall, try small group breakouts, then reconvene for highlights. Reflection: capture insights on a whiteboard or shared document. Consider asking participants: “What role should our community play in shaping AI’s future?” This deepens ownership of the conversation.
Reflect and Share
End with reflection. Ask participants what they learned, what excited them, and what concerns remain. Encourage them to share experiences with friends, family, or online to spread awareness.
Provide next steps: suggest exploring more computer science resources on Code.org, joining local coding clubs, or trying additional AI activities. Share links and handouts so learning continues beyond the session.
To sustain momentum, consider hosting recurring AI exploration sessions or integrating activities into school or library programs. Reflection: document your own experience as a facilitator. What worked well? What would you adjust next time? Sharing feedback with Code.org or your community ensures the Hour of AI keeps improving and inspiring.
