Google launches Polar Peaks to teach AI basics through brain mapping

Google is announcing Polar Peaks, a new interactive learning experience designed by Google Research and the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. Intended for students aged 11 to 14, this activity is the third in the AI Quests series. It uses a brain-mapping scenario to introduce how artificial intelligence works and how to use it responsibly.

Guided by game characters, students scan and map neurons to understand a character's memory loss. The experience includes data-cleaning and model-testing tasks. Google says it aims to develop critical thinking and demonstrate the role of human oversight in the use of AI.

The educational approach is practical: students encounter stages of preparation and verification of results, going beyond simply using a tool. These are, however, the objectives stated by the designer. The available presentation does not measure what participants have learned and does not establish demonstrated educational effectiveness.

Google is also announcing teacher training modules in its Google AI Educator Series. Those accompanying the previous learning experiences are available. This support aims to integrate the activities into lessons and support discussions of the concepts covered. Its availability alone does not indicate actual classroom use of the program.