Learning AI Ethics with EvolveMoralMaze: An Analysis of Student Outcomes and Misconceptions
As artificial intelligence becomes a part of everyday life, we need engaging ways to teach young people to think critically about its ethical challenges and make them aware of how to use AI ethically and responsibly. As part of our research, we proposed and designed an interactive game-based tool named EvolveMoralMaze to teach middle school students (ages 11-14) about AI ethics, training data, and algorithmic bias. We tested this tool at a nearby public middle school located in a city in Texas. We collected data through pre-and post-game surveys to measure student outcomes and assess their learning. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis showed a large increase in students’ self-reported understanding of AI. More importantly, through this game students developed an in-depth understanding of how training data shapes AI behavior. This research demonstrates that games can be powerful tools for making complex ethical ideas tangible and thought-provoking for this age group.