Spec & Goals 3 min
AQA Spec 3.8.1 — Applying impacts to emerging technology; extended-response technique
By the end of this lesson you can:
- Apply the five impact lenses to emerging technologies (AI, autonomous vehicles, wearables).
- Structure a high-mark "Discuss" answer.
- Write a balanced, reasoned conclusion.
Warm-Up 5 min
This unit's biggest marks come from extended "Discuss" questions (often 6+ marks). Today: how to answer them — and the new technologies they often ask about.
Quick starter
A 6-mark "discuss" question gives you 1 mark for "it's good". What does it want you to do to earn the other 5?
Reveal the idea
Give several points on both sides (benefits and drawbacks), across different lenses and stakeholders, then a reasoned conclusion.
Key Concept — answering "Discuss" 14 min
Discuss questions are marked in levels, not by counting ticks. To reach the top level you need range, balance and a judgement.
A reliable structure
| Step | Do this |
|---|---|
| 1 · Introduce | One sentence on the technology and what's at stake. |
| 2 · Benefits | 2–3 advantages, across different lenses, naming stakeholders. |
| 3 · Drawbacks | 2–3 risks/harms, across different lenses, naming stakeholders. |
| 4 · Conclude | A reasoned judgement — "on balance…" with a reason. |
Emerging technologies AQA likes
| Technology | Benefit | Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial intelligence | Automates tasks; spots patterns (e.g. medical scans). | Job loss; bias; who is responsible for AI decisions? |
| Autonomous (self-driving) vehicles | Fewer accidents; mobility for all. | Who is liable in a crash? Job loss for drivers; security. |
| Wearables & implants | Health monitoring; convenience. | Constant data collection; privacy; security of medical data. |
| Cloud & mobile | Access anywhere; collaboration. | Privacy, reliance on connectivity, data held by others. |
Worked Example — a model "Discuss" answer 12 min
Question: "Discuss the impacts of self-driving cars becoming common." [6 marks]
Model answer (structured):
- Intro: Self-driving cars could change transport, with both benefits and serious concerns.
- Benefits: fewer crashes from human error (safety — society); mobility for the elderly or disabled (cultural — individuals); smoother traffic and possibly lower emissions (environmental).
- Drawbacks: drivers (taxi, lorry) lose jobs (ethical/economic — workers); unclear who is liable in a crash (legal); cars collect detailed journey data (privacy); they could be hacked (security).
- Conclusion: On balance they could save lives and aid mobility, but only once the legal, safety and security questions are resolved.
Try It Yourself 12 min
Goal: List the four steps of a strong "Discuss" answer.
Goal: For AI in healthcare, write one benefit and one concern under three different lenses.
Goal: Plan a 6-mark "Discuss" answer on fitness wearables: list three benefits and three drawbacks with stakeholders, plus a conclusion.
📝 Exam Practice 10 min
State what the command word discuss requires you to do.
Mark scheme
- Give arguments for and against / both sides, with a reasoned conclusion (1).
Discuss the ethical and legal impacts of using artificial intelligence to make decisions, such as approving loans.
Mark scheme
Levels-marked (up to 6). Reward balance and range, e.g.:
- Benefits — fast, consistent, handles huge data, removes some human bias.
- Concerns — bias in training data (unfair to some groups), no explanation of decisions, who is accountable / legally responsible?
- Reasoned conclusion (e.g. AI can assist but humans should oversee important decisions) reaches the top band.
Discuss the impacts of wearable health devices on individuals and society.
Mark scheme
Levels-marked (up to 6). Balanced points across lenses, e.g.:
- Benefits — early health warnings, encourages activity, helps doctors.
- Concerns — constant data collection, privacy/security of medical data, pressure/anxiety, who can access it (insurers?).
- Reasoned conclusion for top marks.
Recap & Key Terms 3 min
Discuss answers are levels-marked: give balanced points across the five lenses, name stakeholders, and finish with a reasoned conclusion. Emerging tech — AI, self-driving cars, wearables — all bring clear benefits and real ethical, legal and privacy concerns.
- Discuss
- Present both sides with reasons and reach a justified conclusion.
- Artificial intelligence
- Software that performs tasks needing human-like intelligence, e.g. decisions or recognition.
- Autonomous vehicle
- A self-driving vehicle controlled by software and sensors.
- Reasoned conclusion
- A final judgement supported by the points made — needed for top marks.
Homework 1 min
Task (≤ 15 min): Write a full 6-mark "Discuss" answer on: "Discuss the impacts of shops replacing staff with AI and self-service technology." Use the four-step structure.
Model answer (outline)
Intro: self-service and AI change how shops run. Benefits: lower costs, faster checkout, 24/7 service (shops, customers). Drawbacks: cashiers lose jobs (workers — ethical), less human help for the elderly/digital divide (cultural), data collected on shoppers (privacy), machines become e-waste and use energy (environmental). Conclusion: efficient and convenient, but society must manage job losses and exclusion.
Award marks (levels): range across lenses, both sides, stakeholders named, and a reasoned conclusion.