Artificial Intelligence in Our Lives: Friend or Foe?

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Welcome, Young Researchers! We live in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming more and more present around us — in our mobile phones, our games, our school, and even our homes! But what exactly is artificial intelligence? How does it work? And most importantly… how does it affect our everyday lives? Of course, not everyone can become an AI expert. However, it’s important to remember that AI can make decisions and generate new ideas on its own. Do your classmates — especially younger students — really know how AI is used in everyday life? Can they recognize its benefits as well as its possible risks? And can we fully trust algorithms to make the right choices that help make our world a better place? In this mission, you will work together to explore how AI supports, changes, and sometimes challenges the way people live. Let the investigation begin!

A major discussion has been taking place for some time now about the possibilities of artificial intelligence — and the risks it may involve. Governments in developed countries, as well as everyday citizens, are wondering how far AI could take us when it is used wisely or carelessly.

Our school could not stay on the sidelines.

The school principal and teachers turned to the older students (ages 11–12) and challenged them to find creative and smart ways to inform younger classmates about artificial intelligence and its role in our lives.

You and your teammates decide to take on this challenge. You will work in groups of 4–5 students and investigate the topic by exploring videos and websites that focus on: Where we encounter artificial intelligence in everyday life (at home, at school, in transport, in healthcare, and more) What the benefits of AI are and what possible risks it may involve How you imagine the future with artificial intelligence Using everything you have learned, you will then write the basic storyline of a short theatre play with the theme: “Artificial Intelligence in Our Lives: Friend or Foe?” Your storyline should include: A title The main characters and their personalities The problem they face How the problem is solved Next, use these elements as input for an AI tool and ask for help creating either: a short theatrical dialogue, or a video of about 3 minutes Your work will be presented to students from other classes. Good luck — and enjoy the challenge!

STEP 1: What Is Artificial Intelligence?

By watching the video below, you will learn more about artificial intelligence (AI) and how it may influence our future.

As you watch, think about these questions:

• What are the main uses of AI?
• What can AI do, and how does it work?
• Have you ever used something that is powered by AI?

Be ready to share your ideas and examples after the video.

STEP 2: Benefits and Risks of Using AI

• Divide into groups.
• Each group focuses on one area:
  • Group 1: AI at home
  • Group 2: AI at school and in education
  • Group 3: AI in transport and public services
  • Group 4: AI in healthcare and entertainment

Research Task

Visit the suggested websites and take notes using the following questions as a guide:

• Where is AI used in your area?
• What are the benefits and what are the possible risks?
• How do you imagine the future of AI in your area?

Be ready to share your findings with the rest of the class.

The AI in our daily lives:

https://saferinternet4kids.gr/hot-topics/ai_tn/

Artificial intelligence facts for kids:

https://kids.kiddle.co/Artificial_intelligence

What is AI for kids? Artificial Intelligence for kids:

STEP 3: Creation Time

Using everything you have learned so far, write the basic storyline of a short theatre play with the theme:

“Artificial Intelligence in Our Lives: Friend or Foe?”

Your storyline should include:

1. A title
2. The main characters and their personalities
3. The problem they face
4. How the problem is resolved

Create with AI

Next, enter the elements of your storyline into an AI tool and ask for help creating either:

• a short theatrical dialogue, or
• a video of about 3 minutes

You may use one of the well-known AI models for your creation.
This will give you the chance to explore their abilities, test their reliability, and think critically about how helpful they really are.

Be creative — but stay thoughtful!

OpenAI’s GPT: https://openai.com/

Google Gemini Thinking: https://gemini.google.com

Anthropic Claude: https://claude.ai/login?returnTo=%2Fonboarding%3F

DeepSeek:   https://chat.deepseek.com/sign_in

STEP 4: Presentations

Each group presents its work to students from the other classes.

Share your ideas clearly and explain how your project connects to artificial intelligence in everyday life.

Through your research, discussions, and creative work, you explored how artificial intelligence is already part of our everyday lives — at home, at school, in transport, healthcare, and entertainment. You learned that AI can be a powerful tool that supports learning, problem-solving, and creativity, but also that it comes with risks and responsibilities.
By working in teams, you practiced collaboration, critical thinking, and communication, and you learned how to examine both the benefits and the challenges of new technologies. Creating your own story, dialogue, or video helped you understand that AI should not replace human thinking, imagination, or values — it should support them.
Most importantly, you discovered that the future of AI does not depend only on technology, but on people: on the choices we make, the questions we ask, and the way we use technology responsibly.
As young researchers and active citizens, you are now better prepared to live in a world where AI is present — not as passive users, but as thoughtful, informed, and responsible decision-makers.
The question remains open:
Will artificial intelligence be a friend or a foe?
The answer depends on how we choose to use it.
Well done — your journey into the world of AI has only just begun.