Introducing Media Characters

Start by showing slides two and three of Introducing AI, or show students a cereal box with a cartoon mascot such as Froot Loops or Frosted Flakes.

Ask students:

• Did this character choose its name? (No.)
• When this character speaks, can it choose what it says? (No.)
• Who made the character? Who chose its name? Who chooses what it says?
• Why was he made?

Point out that the character was made by the cereal company. They chose its name and control what it says, and he was made so that kids would recognize the cereal and want their parents to buy it.