Learning by Enhancing Half-Baked AI Projects

Abstract

We have developed thirty sample artificial intelligence (AI) programs in a form suitable for enhancement by non-expert programmers. The projects are implemented in the Snap! blocks language and can be run in modern web browsers. These projects have been designed to be modifiable by school students and have been iteratively developed with over 100 students. The projects involve speech synthesis, speech and image recognition, natural language processing, and deep machine learning. They illustrate a variety of AI capabilities, concepts, and techniques. The intent is to provide students with hands-on experience with AI programming so they come to understand the possibilities, problems, strengths, and weaknesses of AI today.