Lesson Plan: AI Regulation and the Influence of Taylor Swift

Objective:

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Analyze the impact of artificial intelligence on modern political campaigns.
2. Evaluate the potential benefits and risks of AI technology in the political sphere.
3. Critically assess the need for AI regulation in politics and society at large.
4. Understand the role of public figures in shaping discourse around AI and technology policy.
5. Develop and articulate informed opinions on responsible AI use and governance.

Lesson Outline:

Introduction 

• • Briefly introduce AI and its applications in various fields.
  • Discuss the concept of AI regulation and its importance.
  • Mention the growing role of AI in political campaigns.

AI in Political Campaigns (20 minutes)

• Discuss how AI is being used in political campaigns:
  1. Data Analysis and Voter Targeting: AI helps campaigns analyze vast amounts of voter data to create highly targeted messaging. Political Machines: Understanding the Role of AI in the U.S. 2024 Elections and Beyond
  2. Automated Content Creation: AI generates personalized campaign messages, emails, and social media posts
  3. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants: AI-powered chatbots engage with voters, answer questions, and gather information.
  4. Predictive Analytics: AI predicts voter behavior and election outcomes.

Highlight both positive and negative aspects of AI use in campaigns.

Case Study: Taylor Swift and AI Deepfakes

• Present Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris and her concerns about AI-generated deepfakes.
• Discuss the incident where AI-generated images falsely showed Swift endorsing Donald Trump.
• Highlight Swift’s statement: “The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth”.

See more

Discussion: The Role of Public Figures

1. Taylor Swift’s Comments 
   • Show the class the article or a summary of Taylor Swift’s endorsement of Kamala Harris and her concerns about AI-generated deepfakes.
   • Discuss the specific incident where AI-generated images falsely showed Swift endorsing Donald Trump².
   • Highlight her statement: “The simplest way to combat misinformation is with the truth”².
   • Discuss the featured image on this post. Is it AI generated? Is it bad to use images like this?
   • What is the significance of the cat?
2. Discussion: The Role of Public Figures
   • Ask students how they think public figures like Taylor Swift can influence public opinion and policy.
   • Discuss the impact of Swift’s comments on her fanbase and the broader public.
   • Explore other examples of celebrities speaking out on important issues.
3. AI Regulation: Current Landscape 
   • Provide an overview of current AI regulations and policies globally. See below.
   • Discuss the challenges in regulating AI, such as balancing innovation with safety.
   • Introduce new content on recent developments in AI regulation, including efforts by tech companies and governments to address AI misuse³.
4. Group Activity: Propose AI Regulations 
   • Divide students into small groups and ask them to propose their own AI regulations.
   • Each group should consider the following:
     • How to prevent AI misuse (e.g., deepfakes, misinformation)
     • How to ensure AI development is ethical and transparent
     • How to balance innovation with public safety
   • Have each group present their proposals to the class.
5. Conclusion and Q&A 
   • Summarize the key points discussed in the lesson.
   • Open the floor for any questions or additional comments from students.
   • Encourage students to stay informed about AI developments and the importance of responsible AI use.

Homework:

• Ask students to write a short essay on the potential benefits and risks of AI, and how they think AI should be regulated.

Regulations and policies globally;

1. OECD AI Policy Observatory: The OECD provides a comprehensive repository of AI policy initiatives from over 70 countries and territories. This includes national AI strategies, policy instruments, and targeted groups¹.
2. Global AI Law and Policy Tracker by IAPP: This tracker offers insights into AI governance legislation and policies worldwide. It highlights the development of comprehensive legislation, national AI strategies, and voluntary guidelines².
3. Skadden’s Global AI Legislation Tracker: This document lists AI legislation introduced around the world, providing a detailed overview of the legal landscape³.
4. Summary by King & Wood Mallesons: This summary covers the current state of AI regulation in various countries, including Australia⁴.