Middle School Students' Mental Images for Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

This study aims to examine middle school students’ perceptions of the concept of artificial intelligence (AI) through visual and verbal representations. A total of 203 students were asked the question, “What is artificial intelligence? Explain and draw on the back.” The data were analyzed using a phenomenological design within the scope of qualitative research methods. Students’ written and drawn responses were examined through content analysis, and eight main themes were identified: robots (36%), computers (18%), smart devices (12%), brain/mind (9%), human/world-AI interaction (8%), examples of AI (10%), AI code (5%), and unmanned vehicles (2%). A semi-structured interview was conducted with one student from each category to explore how they made sense of the concept of AI. The findings revealed that students mostly conceptualized AI through tangible technological objects (e.g., robots, computers), while their awareness of more abstract elements such as coding, algorithms, and cognitive processes was limited. These results highlight the need to develop AI literacy from early ages. The study presents the students’ mental models of AI and offers valuable implications for curriculum development at the middle school level.