Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

 

Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

Short Answer type questions: (2 marks each)

1.       What is Artificial Intelligence? Write in simple words. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer science focused on creating machines that can think, learn, and act like humans. They are programmed to replicate human abilities such as reasoning, problem-solving, planning, understanding language, and making decisions.

2.       What is Machine Learning and how is it different from AI? Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI that enables computers to learn from data and improve their performance over time without being directly programmed for every rule. While AI is the broader concept of making machines intelligent and human-like using reasoning and natural language processing, ML focuses specifically on identifying patterns in datasets to make predictions.

3.       Give real-life examples of Artificial Intelligence. Real-life examples of AI include chess-playing computers, self-driving cars, smart assistants (Siri, Alexa), face recognition lock on smartphones, language translation tools, and expert medical diagnosis systems.

4.       Why is Machine Learning important in today’s world? Machine learning is important because it allows systems to analyze massive volumes of data, detect hidden patterns, and make automated decisions or predictions without needing manual step-by-step programming.

5.       What is the relationship between AI and ML? AI is the overarching umbrella field dealing with making machines smart, whereas ML is a core subfield of AI that supplies the algorithms and data-driven methods that allow AI systems to learn from experience.

6.       What is supervised learning? Give examples. Supervised learning is a technique where a machine is trained using labeled data (data accompanied by clear answers or tags) under guidance, like learning with a teacher. Examples include training a system with tagged images of lions and tigers to identify them, or filtering emails into "spam" and "not spam".

7.       What is unsupervised learning? Give some examples. Unsupervised learning is a technique where a computer learns from unlabeled data and must discover hidden patterns or groupings by itself without external guidance. Examples include grouping pictures of animals by appearance without prior tags, or categorizing customers based on shopping patterns.

8.       What are the differences between supervised and unsupervised learning?

9.       Supervised Learning: Trains on labeled data, knows expected outputs during training, and acts like learning with a teacher (e.g., email spam filtering).

10.   Unsupervised Learning: Trains on unlabeled data, searches for inherent patterns or clusters, and acts like learning without a teacher (e.g., customer shopping segmentation).

11.   Differences between Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

12.   Scope: AI is the broad branch aimed at creating human-like intelligence, whereas ML is a specific subset focused on learning from data patterns.

13.   Methods: AI incorporates problem-solving, robotics, and natural language processing; ML focuses primarily on predictive statistical patterns.

14.   Examples: AI includes smart hotel service robots; ML includes recommendation systems on platforms like YouTube or email filters.

15.   What are two e-commerce websites in Nepal? Write about each one briefly. While the textbook explicitly lists Daraz in its exercise options as a primary e-commerce platform and highlights e-commerce as buying and selling goods online 24/7 with doorstep delivery, detailed background profiles for individual Nepalese shopping portals beyond Daraz are not fully detailed in the text body.

16.   What is AI in Robotics? Write in simple words. AI in Robotics is the field of designing and operating robots equipped with sensors (like cameras and microphones) and AI software to sense their environment and perform complex, automated tasks safely without human risk.

17.   What is a line following robot? How does it work? While specific terms like "line following robot" are practical robotics applications, the text explains that robots use optical and movement sensors to detect environmental guidance cues and follow programmed paths.

18.   What is an Obstacle Avoidance Robot? How does it work? Robots and autonomous vehicles use distance and vision sensors to perceive surrounding objects, signs, and obstacles, making real-time decisions to turn or stop to avoid collisions.

19.   Why is simulation important in robotics? Robotic simulation (using platforms like Scratch or RoboBlocky) is important because it allows programmers to design, code, and test robotic tasks—such as moving in specific shapes or responding to conditions—safely in a virtual environment before deploying code to physical hardware.

20.   What is a Pick and Place robot? Where is it used? Though referred to broadly under intelligent robots, these systems use vision systems and grippers to move items automatically; they are heavily used in manufacturing assembly lines, warehouses, and factories.

21.   What is Generative AI? Write in simple words. Generative AI (GenAI) is artificial intelligence technology capable of creating new, original content—such as text, images, audio, or video—by learning from vast amounts of existing data.

22.   What is ChatGPT? What tasks does it perform? ChatGPT is a powerful AI chatbot developed by OpenAI. It processes natural language, text prompts, files, and images to generate responses, write text, answer queries, and assist in creative writing.

23.   What is Microsoft Copilot? Where is it used? Microsoft Copilot is a generative AI tool developed by Microsoft (in partnership with OpenAI and GitHub) designed to assist with text writing and coding. It is used directly inside Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and development environments.

24.   What is Google Gemini? What makes it different? Google Gemini is Google’s advanced AI chatbot. What sets it apart is its direct integration across Google’s ecosystem of productivity tools, such as Google Docs and Gmail.

25.   Give two examples of how Generative AI is used in daily life.

26.   Creating custom artwork or educational images using text prompts (e.g., DALL-E, Craiyon).

27.   Drafting documents, generating auto-summaries, or writing emails in tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word.

28.   What AI features are available in Google Docs? Integrated AI in Google Docs provides Smart Compose with auto-correction, Grammar and Spelling checks, Voice typing, Language translation, and Auto summary.

29.   What AI features are available in Gmail? Integrated AI in email includes Smart Compose and quick replies, Schedule email, Spam filtering, Grammar/writing suggestions, and Email summarization.

30.   What can Microsoft Copilot do in Word? In Word, Copilot acts as an AI-powered writing tool that helps draft, rewrite, format, and structure text content.

31.   What can Microsoft Copilot do in Excel? In Excel, Copilot performs AI-driven data analysis, identifying trends and generating insights from spreadsheet datasets.

32.   What can Microsoft Copilot do in PowerPoint? In PowerPoint, Copilot provides AI-enhanced presentation design, assisting in formatting slides and organizing visual content.

33.   What is bias in AI? Give an example. Bias in AI occurs when an AI system makes unfair decisions or discriminates based on factors like gender, race, or background due to incomplete or biased training data. Example: A job hiring AI trained primarily on male resumes might unfairly penalize or ignore applications submitted by female candidates.

34.   What is a privacy concern in AI? Why is it important? A privacy concern involves the risk of unauthorized access or misuse of personal data collected and stored by AI systems. Protecting privacy is vital to prevent identity theft, unauthorized spying, and unfair profiling.

35.   What is a security concern in AI? Give an example. An AI security concern involves threats like hacking or malicious tampering with an AI system’s training data, causing it to fail or act unsafely. Example: A hacked self-driving car whose data is tampered with might fail to recognize a red light and cause an accident.

36.   How can we reduce bias in AI? Bias can be reduced by auditing training datasets to ensure they are fair, diverse, and complete, and by actively checking and correcting model outputs for human biases.

37.   What is an adversarial attack on AI? While discussed in the context of system security, adversarial threats involve tampering with or altering input data to deceive an AI into making incorrect decisions or failing safety checks.

38.   What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? Write in simple words. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical objects (like vehicles, appliances, and sensors) that collect and exchange data over the internet automatically without human intervention.

39.   Give some examples of IoT in smart homes. Examples include smart home assistants, automated lighting, connected TVs, and smoke detectors that automatically alert fire services upon sensing smoke.

40.   Give examples of IoT in healthcare. Examples include smart health monitors and wearable sensors that remotely track patient vital signs and transmit records to doctors.

41.   Give examples of IoT in agriculture. Examples include smart farming sensors that monitor soil conditions, crop health, weather parameters, and automated irrigation.

42.   Give examples of IoT in smart cities. Examples include smart traffic management, smart power grids to conserve electricity, smart transportation systems, and predictive garbage collection monitoring.

43.   What is Virtual Reality (VR)? Give an example. Virtual Reality (VR) is a fully computer-generated environment that simulates a real or imagined world. Example: Wearing a VR headset to explore virtual worlds, play games, or attend virtual classrooms.

44.   What is Augmented Reality (AR)? Give an example. Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that overlays digital graphics or information onto the real world using a smartphone screen or smart glasses. Example: Viewing 3D digital objects or navigation labels overlaid on top of physical surroundings via a mobile camera.

45.   What is Mixed Reality and how is it different from Augmented Reality? Under the umbrella of Extended Reality (XR), AR projects digital layers over the real world, whereas Mixed Reality blends real and digital elements so that physical and virtual objects co-exist and interact in real time.

46.   What does XR stand for? What does it include? XR stands for Extended Reality. It is an overarching term that includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and related immersive technologies that merge physical and digital realities.

1.       What is e-Governance? Give two examples.

e-Governance refers to the use of digital devices, internet technologies, and communication networks by governments to deliver public services and official information directly to citizens. Examples: Online driving license renewal and applying for passports or citizenship certificates online.

2.       What is e-Education? Give two examples.

e-Education is the use of modern digital technologies and the internet to carry out teaching and learning activities remotely. Examples: Using learning management platforms like Google Classroom and video conferencing tools like Zoom for virtual lectures.

3.       What is the difference between e-commerce, e-Governance, and e-Education?

• e-Commerce: Focuses on commercial activities, enabling online business transactions and doorstep delivery of goods.
• e-Governance: Focuses on public administration, delivering official government services, documents, and public records to citizens.
• e-Education: Focuses on academic learning, providing digital access to study materials, virtual classrooms, and remote exams.

50. Give four benefits of e-Governance for citizens.

1. Improves transparency: Allows citizens to track government service requests and application processes openly.
2. Faster service delivery: Significantly cuts down processing time, office visits, and manual paperwork.
3. Equal accessibility: Makes official services accessible to citizens across all regions without needing to travel to central offices.
4. Reduces corruption: Minimizes physical in-person interactions, lowering the risk of bribery.

Long Answer Questions (4 Marks Each)

1.       What AI features are available in Google Docs and Gmail? Explain any two features for each.

Google Docs AI Features:

a) Smart Compose with Auto-Correction: Suggests words while typing and corrects grammar/spelling errors automatically.

b) Auto Summary: Automatically reads lengthy documents and generates a concise summary.

Gmail AI Features:

a) Smart Compose & Quick Reply: Offers predictive text completion and one-click contextual response suggestions.

b) Spam Filtering: Uses ML to detect fraudulent or unwanted emails and keep them out of the main inbox.

2.       How does Microsoft Office 365 use AI to help users? Give three examples.

a) Microsoft Word: Uses AI-powered writing tools (Copilot) to draft, rewrite, format, and structure text documents.

b) Microsoft Excel: Provides AI-driven data analysis that automatically discovers trends, creates charts, and generates insights from spreadsheets.

c) Microsoft PowerPoint: Features AI-enhanced design tools that assist in generating visual slide layouts and formatting presentations.

3.       What is AI bias? Explain with a simple real-world example. Why is it harmful?

AI bias is a condition when an AI system makes unfair decisions or treats people unfairly based on traits like gender, race, or background due to incomplete or biased training data.

Example: If a hiring AI is trained exclusively on past resumes from male employees, it learns to favor men and unfairly rejects qualified female applicants.

It is harmful because it perpetuates systemic human discrimination, deprives qualified individuals of equal opportunities, and scales unfair practices.

4.       What are the main privacy and security concerns in AI? Explain each briefly.

Privacy Concerns: AI systems collect, process, and store massive amounts of personal user data. Mismanagement can lead to identity theft, illegal spying, or unauthorized profiling.

Security Concerns: Protecting AI models from hacking or data tampering (poisoning). If bad actors alter training data, the AI may make dangerous mistakes—such as a hacked self-driving car failing to stop at a red light.

5.       What is the Internet of Things (IoT)? Explain in simple words with three everyday examples.

IoT is a network of physical objects embedded with sensors and software that automatically collect and exchange data over the internet without human intervention.

Three Everyday Examples of IoT are:

a) Smart Home Appliances: Connected lighting or thermostats controlled via mobile phones.

b) Smoke Detectors: Connected alarms that automatically alert fire stations upon sensing smoke.

c) Smart Health Monitors: Wearables tracking heart rate and syncing health metrics online.

6.       How is IoT used in agriculture and healthcare? Give one detailed example for each field.

Agriculture (Smart Farming): Soil sensors continuously measure moisture, nutrient levels, and temperature. When the soil becomes dry, the system automatically triggers smart irrigation pumps to water crops efficiently.

Healthcare (Smart Healthcare): Remote patient monitoring wearables measure vital health metrics (heart rate, blood pressure). If abnormal levels are recorded, the device automatically alerts doctors or emergency services.

7.       Differentiate between Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in detail.

Virtual Reality (VR): A fully computer-generated environment that completely replaces the real world. Users wear headsets to immerse themselves in virtual 3D worlds or games.

Augmented Reality (AR): Overlays digital images, 3D graphics, or text onto the real physical world using a smartphone camera or AR glasses.

8.       What is Extended Reality (XR)? Name the three main technologies included in XR and explain what each one does.

An overarching term covering all immersive technologies that merge physical and digital realities is called extended reality.

Three Included Technologies included in XR are:

Virtual Reality (VR): Immerses users in a 100% digital environment using headsets.

Augmented Reality (AR): Projects digital layers over real-world views.

Mixed Reality (MR): Blends physical and digital elements so real and virtual objects co-exist and interact dynamically in real time.

9.       What is cloud computing? Explain in simple words. Give three detailed benefits of using cloud computing.

Cloud computing is a technology that delivers on-demand services—like storage, servers, software, and databases—over the internet instead of storing everything locally on a personal computer.

Three Detailed Benefits of using cloud computing are:

Reduces Hardware Costs: Eliminates the expense of purchasing and maintaining physical servers or hard drives.

Access Anytime, Anywhere: Files stored on the cloud can be reached from any internet-connected device worldwide.

Improves Teamwork & Productivity: Allows team members to collaborate and edit documents simultaneously in real time.

10.   Explain important features of cloud computing.

The important features of cloud computing are:

On-demand service: Computing resources are available immediately when requested.

Access anytime, anywhere: Global network access via any online device.

Scalable resources: Storage and server capacity can expand or shrink based on user demand.

Shared resources (Resource pooling): Physical infrastructure is shared efficiently among multiple users.

Low cost & Easy maintenance: Pay-as-you-go pricing without maintaining physical hardware.

11.   What are the three main service models of cloud computing? Explain each model with an example.

Three main services model of cloud computing are:

SaaS (Software as a Service): Allows users to run software applications online through a web browser without local installation. Examples: Gmail, Google Docs, Office 365.

PaaS (Platform as a Service): Provides a cloud development environment with programming tools and databases for building and hosting applications. Examples: Google App Engine, Microsoft Azure App Services.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): Delivers fundamental hardware infrastructure—like virtual servers and cloud storage—over the internet. Examples: Google Drive, OneDrive.

12.   What is e-commerce? Explain the different types of e-commerce with examples.

Electronic commerce is the process of buying and selling goods or services over the internet.

The different types of e-commerce with examples are:

a)      B2C (Business-to-Consumer): Businesses sell directly to shoppers online (e.g., purchasing items on Daraz).

b)      C2C (Consumer-to-Consumer): Individual consumers trade or sell products to other consumers via online classified platforms.

c)       B2B (Business-to-Business): Commercial transactions conducted digitally between two companies.

13.   What is e-Governance and e-Education? Explain each with two detailed benefits and one real-world example.

The use of digital devices and the internet by government authorities to deliver public services to citizens is known as e-Governance.Benefits of e-Governance are:

(1) Improves transparency and official accountability.

(2) Enables faster service delivery and reduces corruption by eliminating physical paperwork.

Example: Online driving license renewal or passport application portals in Nepal.

The use of digital tools and the internet to carry out remote teaching and learning is called e-Education. Its benefits are:

(1) Flexible learning that occurs anytime and anywhere at the student's own pace.

(2) Provides access to diverse digital learning materials.

Example: Virtual learning via Google Classroom or Zoom.

14.   A company wants to use AI for hiring new employees. What ethical issues should the company be careful about? Explain at least three issues in detail.

The ethical issues a company should be careful about while hiring AI are:

1. AI Bias & Discrimination: If historical resume data contains demographic imbalances, the AI will learn and repeat human bias, unfairly penalizing qualified candidates.

2. Privacy Concerns: Collecting applicant personal records requires strict encryption and protection against identity theft or data leaks.

3. Lack of Transparency (Accountability): Automated rejection without clear, explainable criteria prevents candidates from understanding why they were disqualified.

15.   How can IoT and cloud computing work together? Give a detailed real-world example that shows how both technologies are needed.

IoT sensors collect huge streams of real-time environmental data but lack computational power; cloud computing provides the scalable remote storage and AI processing needed to analyze that data centrally.

Real-World Example (Smart Traffic Management):

IoT Role: Thousands of traffic cameras and road sensors collect real-time data on vehicle counts and road congestion.

Cloud Role: The streams of data are sent to cloud servers, where AI algorithms process central city traffic trends and dynamically adjust traffic signals across the city to reduce congestion.

16.   Explain how Generative AI could be used in education. Give one major advantage and one major disadvantage of using Generative AI in schools.

Gen AI tools (like ChatGPT or Gemini) can draft custom revision notes, generate practice quiz questions, and act as 24/7 personalized study tutors.

Major Advantage: Provides personalized, adaptive learning tailored to each student's specific questions and pace.

Major Disadvantage: Risks encouraging academic dishonesty (plagiarism) and student over-reliance, which harms critical thinking abilities.

17.   Explain any four limitations of e-commerce.

Four limitation of e-commerce are:

Product Discrepancies: Delivered items may differ in size or quality from photos shown online.

Risk of Online Fraud: Exposure to online scams, fake seller accounts, or payment fraud.

Reduced Social Interaction: Eliminates direct face-to-face communication and traditional community market experiences.

Delivery Delays: Physical shipments may face courier or logistical delays.

18.   Compare traditional classroom education with e-education.

Traditional education requires physical attendance in a classroom; e-Education allows learning from any remote location via digital devices.

Traditional follows a fixed timetable; e-Education allows self-paced, flexible learning schedules.

Traditional provides direct, face-to-face social contact between teachers and peers; e-Education relies on digital communication platforms, which can feel less personal.

Traditional relies on physical textbooks; e-Education integrates rich multimedia videos, digital quizzes, and interactive online resources.