Power Hungry

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: In what ways is A.I. changing the world?

2. Read and Discuss 
Read and Discuss: Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence: 

• What impact are A.I. data centers having on the environment, and why? (A.I. data centers, such as the xAI center in Memphis, Tennessee, are having a negative impact on the environment because the amount of energy used by the data centers is massive, and the U.S. still primarily relies on fossil fuels, which cause pollution.)

• According to the article, will the introduction of DeepSeek reduce the environmental impact of A.I. in the U.S.? Why or why not? (Because DeepSeek processes information using less energy, it could theoretically reduce some of the negative affects of A.I. data centers on the environment. However, experts don’t know if it will be adopted widely enough in the U.S. to have much of an effect.) 

• In the final section, Ted Townsend says he supports xAI’s presence in Memphis because it will “[attract] a lot of new talent.” Do you think this will benefit the people who currently live in southwest Memphis? Why or why not? (Student’s answers may vary, but they may point out that increased interest in the area might lead to more jobs and investment in the community. They might also point out that the kinds of jobs the tech industry would bring to the area might not be filled by members of the existing community and might lead to gentrification.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Tying Texts Together. Have students follow the tips to write a short constructed response that synthesizes information from two Upfront articles.

4. Writing Prompt
What impact do you think A.I. will have on your life in the next 10 years? Consider how it might affect a career you are interested in, as well as how you spend your free time.

5. Classroom Debate
Should the U.S. slow its adoption of A.I. technology?

6. Quiz & Skills
Use the quiz to assess comprehension and the Be the Editor skill sheet to review grammar skills.