PicoBuddy

How Artificial Intelligence Works in Our World and Environment

AAnanya
Grade 5
Informational
EN
3 min read
Image for How Artificial Intelligence Works in Our World and Environment

Artificial Intelligence, or AI, used to seem like something from a movie. Today, it is part of our everyday lives. AI is the technology that helps music apps recommend your next favorite song. Doctors also use AI to help find and treat illnesses. While AI makes life easier in many ways, it also brings challenges for people and the planet.

How AI Affects Our Society

AI is changing how people work and talk with each other. One big change is happening in jobs. Computers use automation to do tasks that people used to do, such as typing data or writing simple reports. This helps businesses work faster, but it also makes some workers worry about losing their jobs. Because of this, schools and workers must learn new computer skills.

Another challenge is algorithmic bias. AI learns from information made by humans. If that information includes unfair ideas, the AI can learn those bad habits too. This can cause unfair decisions when companies hire employees or enforce laws. AI also needs a lot of personal data to work well, which raises concerns about privacy.

On social media, AI controls which posts you see. Sometimes, this creates an echo chamber where you only see opinions you already agree with. This makes it harder to understand other viewpoints. Also, as AI gets better at creating realistic images and videos, telling real pictures from fake ones is becoming harder.

AI and the Planet

AI also has a big impact on the environment. Running powerful AI requires huge data centers packed with thousands of computers. These computers run day and night, using large amounts of electricity that often comes from burning coal or gas. Because these computers get very hot, millions of gallons of water are needed to keep them cool.

At the same time, AI can help protect the Earth. Scientists use AI to make energy grids work better, helping us use more wind and solar power. In forests, AI cameras and drones track endangered animals to protect them from illegal hunters. AI can also process weather data quickly, helping scientists predict climate change and protect nature.

Looking Toward the Future

In the future, experts hope to build sustainable AI. This means creating computers that use less electricity and software that runs efficiently. It also means making sure AI treats people fairly and protects their privacy. Technology is a powerful tool, and we must use it responsibly to help both society and the Earth.

Listen to How Artificial Intelligence Works in Our World and Environment

PicoBuddy read-aloud story

Checking access...
Glossary
automation:
The use of technology or computers to perform tasks without human help.
algorithmic bias:
Unfairness in computer decisions caused by biased data fed into the AI system.
echo chamber:
An online environment where a person is exposed only to opinions that match their own.
data centers:
Large facilities that house thousands of computer servers used to store and process data.
solar power:
Energy collected from sunlight and turned into electricity.
Loading reactions...
Loading quiz...
Loading practice questions...
Same Topic, Different Levels
Explore "Artificial Intelligence" at other reading levels in English.

Printables & worksheets

More ways to practice with this passage — every sheet is built from the text itself, answer key included where it counts.

Get all 4 sheets as one workbook
Pro

One PDF with a cover, a contents page and every answer key at the back — instead of 4 separate downloads to staple together.

fix the sentence

Sentences from the passage with the capitals and punctuation removed — rewrite each one correctly.

vocabulary worksheet

Match the passage words to their meanings, then fill the missing words back into real sentences.

writing prompts

Two writing tasks that build on the passage, with plenty of lines to write on.

You Might Also Like

About this informational passage for Grade 5

“How Artificial Intelligence Works in Our World and Environment” is a informational reading passage about Artificial Intelligence, written for Grade 5. It takes about 3 minutes to read (410 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. You can read “How Artificial Intelligence Works in Our World and Environment” online for free and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “How Artificial Intelligence Works in Our World and Environment”?

It’s written for Grade 5 — a informational text about Artificial Intelligence, about a 3-minute read (410 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. With a free account you can remix it to a different grade level or translate it to another language in one click.