B7.4.4.1.1 B7 (JHS 1) · Computational thinking · Artificial intelligence
Areas and uses of artificial intelligence
You should be able to: compare key AI technologies and discuss how AI is used in society.
1. Learn
Artificial intelligence (AI) is when a computer system performs tasks that usually need human thinking: recognising a face, translating Twi to English, recommending a video, or playing a game.
Related ideas you must be able to tell apart:
- Machine learning (ML) — the system improves from examples (many photos of goats vs sheep), not only from fixed if-then rules.
- Artificial neural networks (ANN) — a way of doing ML inspired by how brain cells connect, used in image and speech systems.
- Deep learning — neural networks with many layers; used in modern voice assistants and some medical image tools.
- Virtual reality (VR) — a headset that blocks the real room and shows a full digital world (e.g. a virtual science lab).
- Augmented reality (AR) — digital labels sit on top of the real world (phone camera showing the name of a plant).
- Mixed reality — real and digital objects interact more tightly than simple AR overlays.
- Gamification — using game ideas (points, levels, badges) in learning or work, sometimes with AI that adapts the difficulty.
- Data mining / analytics — finding patterns in large data (school attendance, market prices). AI may be used, but not all analytics is “smart AI”.
Uses in society: health screening, farming advice from satellite photos, MoMo fraud alerts, translating languages, chat helpers, traffic apps, and personalised quizzes in education.
Care: AI can copy bias from bad data, can be wrong, and needs honest use (do not submit AI homework as if you wrote it when the teacher forbids that).
2. See
Watch a short clip of: (1) a phone unlocking with a face, (2) a map app avoiding traffic, or (3) a classroom using AR. For each, say whether it is mainly ML, VR, or AR.
3. Practice
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Match: a learner points a phone at a labelled heart diagram and sees a 3D beating heart on the page. VR, AR, or ML?
Show answer
AR (augmented reality) — the real page is still there. ML might run behind the scenes to recognise the diagram, but the learner-facing technology is AR.
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What is the difference between machine learning and an ordinary calculator program?
Show answer
A calculator follows fixed rules you typed. Machine learning changes its behaviour after seeing many examples.
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Give two useful AI applications for Ghana, and one risk.
Show a sample
Useful: crop-disease photos for farmers; translating homework instructions. Risk: fake voice clips used to scam MoMo users; wrong medical advice if the model is not tested locally.
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Is gamification the same as AI? Explain in one sentence.
Show answer
No. Gamification is a design idea (points and levels). It can exist with or without AI.
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Name two of: machine learning, ANN, VR, AR, mixed reality, gamification.
Show answer
Any two from the list in Learn, with a correct short meaning.
4. Project (GES exemplar)
In a small group, compare machine learning, ANN, VR, AR, mixed reality, gamification, and data analytics. Then discuss uses and importance of AI to society. Watch a video or look at pictures of intelligent robots if you can.
Submit: a table with five technologies, one sentence each, plus two societal uses.
5. Check (GES proficiency)
- Emerging — says “AI is a smart computer” only
- Developing — names two technologies but mixes VR and AR
- Approaching proficient — explains ML vs rules and one Ghana use
- Proficient — compares several areas and states a limitation
- Highly proficient — teaches the table to the class with clear examples
Source: NaCCA Computing CCP B7.4.4.1 / B7.4.4.1.1. SURF-CLOUD Technology Institute.