Check It Out: Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence, commonly known as AI, is a field of computer science where the goal is to create a machine that can learn and think like the human brain. AI was once the subject of science fiction, but with modern advances in science, the future is here. AI is now a reality, with infinite possibilities for the worlds of medicine, space travel, entertainment, and more. Check out the books, movies, series, and podcasts below to see if a career that involves AI may be in your future.

Read:

• Artificial Intelligence & Me, by ReadyAI. This illustrated book is a great introduction to AI and its potential uses, made by AI education publisher ReadyAI. It combines images, diagrams, stories, and activities, to expand your knowledge of AI. And it provides thought-provoking discussion questions, so you can start thinking critically about how AI will impact society. Recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

• Artificial Intelligence: Thinking Machines and Smart Robots with Science Activities for Kids, by Angie Smibert. Immerse yourself in AI with this activity book from the Technology for Today collection. It doesn’t just provide a thorough definition of AI. It also explores the history of the technology, from science fiction to early forms of AI to the present. A terrific resource, complete with an index and a glossary. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

• Maya and the Robot, by Eve L. Ewing. In this moving novel, Maya is an aspiring scientist embarking on the sometimes scary journey into fifth grade. When she finds a robot to fix up for the school science fair, Maya discovers that her curiosity and scientific abilities can help her build confidence and foster connection. This novel demonstrates how AI can be incorporated into our lives, and why it's important for people to take their interests seriously. Recommended for ages 8 to 12. 

• The Superteacher Project, by Gordon Korman. This hilarious novel answers the question “What if your teacher was secretly an AI robot?” As the students in the story bond with their teacher and start to uncover his mysterious origins, the author brings together wacky classroom hijinks with deeper questions about what makes us human and the ethics of technology’s role in education. Recommended for ages 9 to 13. 

Watch:

• AlphaGo (2017, NR). Invented more than 2,000 years ago in China, go is one of the world’s oldest board games. In this documentary, we find out whether the AI program AlphaGo can defeat the game’s top human champion, Lee Sedol. It’s a classic man-versus-machine story. This movie shows how AI can help us deepen and expand our understanding of strategy and learning. 

• Brian and Charles (2022, PG). In this comedy, Brian, a lonely inventor, sets out to build a friend in the form of an artificially intelligent robot named Charles. Sure, there are a few kinks to work out: Charles is terrified the first time he sees birds! Still, this heartwarming story lovingly depicts how an AI would possess a natural curiosity to learn more about the outside world.

• The Age of A.I. (2019–2020). Iron Man himself, Robert Downey Jr., hosts this eight-part YouTube docuseries about AI. Through interviews with leading scientists across a variety of fields, viewers can see how human creativity and innovative technology meet, in AI, leading medical breakthroughs, environmental protection, and the future of space exploration. The series also challenges viewers to consider AI’s potential risks.

• Nova, “A.I. Revolution” (2024) and “Smartest Machine on Earth” (2011). PBS’s award-winning series Nova produced two episodes that educate viewers about the different uses of AI. “A.I. Revolution” begins with past attempts to create thinking machines. It then explains how AI is changing the face of virtual assistants, medical prosthetics, and self-driving cars. “Smartest Machine on Earth” takes a look at a specific AI computer: IBM’s Watson. With a brain containing 10 million documents, Watson began as a scientist’s dream. Through trial and error, the computer evolved to make its television debut, challenging the champions of the game show Jeopardy!

Listen:

• AI Chat (2022–present). AI is an ever-expanding and ever-changing field. It can be hard to keep up with all the latest developments. The podcast AI Chat brings you a steady stream of news and interviews with experts, so you can stay up-to-date. Recent episodes cover the launch of Optimus, a humanlike AI robot that could revolutionize everything from household chores to factory jobs. Check out the interview with Oculus cofounder Jack McCauley about AI’s future role in video games and virtual reality. 

• The Ten News, “Talking AI, Acting, and The Simpsons with Yeardley Smith!” (2024). Hosts Pamela Kirkland and Ryan Willard let you listen in on a humorous and entertaining conversation about AI in this podcast, which they say is “news for curious kids.” Speaking with Yeardley Smith, the voice of Lisa on The Simpsons, the hosts introduce listeners to a unique perspective on AI and its potential possibilities and perils in the voice-acting and entertainment industries.