This quiz covers core AI concepts, ethics, governance, and applications. Attempt each question, then click “Show answer” to reveal the correct option and a brief explanation.
1. Which of the following is the most appropriate definition of Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
A. Any computer program that runs on the internet
B. Machines performing tasks that typically require human intelligence such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving
C. Only robots that can move and talk
D. Any form of data storage in computers
Correct answer: B. Machines performing tasks that typically require human intelligence — AI focuses on cognitive capabilities like learning, reasoning, and decision-making.
2. Machine learning (ML), a subset of AI, primarily refers to:
A. Machines that are physically capable of learning to walk
B. Systems that learn patterns from data and improve performance without being explicitly programmed for every rule
C. Manual coding of all possible rules into a system
D. Only robots used in industrial automation
Correct answer: B. Systems that learn patterns from data and improve performance without being explicitly programmed for every rule — This is the core idea of ML.
3. Which of the following is an example of supervised learning?
A. Grouping news articles into clusters without labels
B. Training a model on labelled images of cats and dogs to classify new images
C. Allowing an agent to learn by trial and error in a game environment
D. Generating random text without using any data
Correct answer: B. Training a model on labelled images of cats and dogs — Supervised learning uses input–output pairs for training.
4. In the context of AI, “bias” in algorithms typically means:
A. An algorithm that runs faster than expected
B. Systematic and unfair discrimination against certain groups due to skewed data or design
C. Random errors in data entry
D. Only political opinions coded into software
Correct answer: B. Systematic and unfair discrimination against certain groups due to skewed data or design — Biased training data or model choices can produce unfair outcomes.
5. Which of the following is an example of “narrow AI”?
A. A system with general human-like intelligence across all domains
B. A chess-playing program that beats human grandmasters but cannot drive a car
C. A robot capable of independently conducting original scientific research in any field
D. A hypothetical machine with consciousness and emotions identical to humans
Correct answer: B. A chess-playing program that beats human grandmasters but cannot drive a car — Narrow AI is specialized for specific tasks.
6. Which of the following statements about deep learning is correct?
A. It refers to AI systems that are physically located deep underground
B. It uses multi-layered neural networks to automatically learn features from large datasets
C. It is completely unrelated to neural networks
D. It requires no data for training models
Correct answer: B. It uses multi-layered neural networks — Deep learning automatically learns representations from large volumes of data.
7. In the context of public policy, which of the following is a major ethical concern regarding AI use in governance?
A. Reduction in paper consumption
B. Opaque decision-making (“black box”) affecting citizens’ rights
C. Faster data processing
D. Improved accuracy in weather forecasts
Correct answer: B. Opaque decision-making (“black box”) — Lack of transparency can undermine accountability and due process.
8. Which of the following is a primary goal of “Explainable AI” (XAI)?
A. To make AI systems run without electricity
B. To ensure AI systems can explain their decisions in human-understandable terms
C. To remove all statistical methods from AI
D. To guarantee zero errors in AI predictions
Correct answer: B. To ensure AI systems can explain their decisions — XAI focuses on transparency and interpretability.
9. “Reinforcement learning” in AI can be best described as:
A. Learning by imitating human handwriting
B. Learning by trial and error using rewards and penalties
C. Learning only from labelled data samples
D. Learning that happens without any feedback from the environment
Correct answer: B. Learning by trial and error using rewards and penalties — An agent learns a policy to maximize cumulative reward.
10. In natural language processing (NLP), which of the following tasks is most closely related to “machine translation”?
A. Converting speech to text
B. Identifying the language of a given text
C. Automatically converting text from one human language to another
D. Extracting numerical data from images
Correct answer: C. Automatically converting text from one human language to another — Machine translation is a key NLP application.
11. Which of the following is a potential benefit of AI in public service delivery in India?
A. Complete elimination of all human jobs overnight
B. Improved targeting of subsidies and welfare schemes through data-driven insights
C. Guaranteed removal of all corruption without any other reforms
D. Automatic drafting of the Constitution without human involvement
Correct answer: B. Improved targeting of subsidies and welfare schemes — AI can help identify genuine beneficiaries, reduce leakages, and optimize resources.
12. Which of the following is a major risk associated with AI-based facial recognition in policing?
A. It always increases crime rates
B. High accuracy for all demographic groups by default
C. Potential violation of privacy and disproportionate targeting of certain communities
D. Inability to process any image data
Correct answer: C. Potential violation of privacy and disproportionate targeting — Biases in data and misuse can harm civil liberties.
13. Which of the following correctly distinguishes between “automation” and “AI”?
A. Automation can never use AI
B. Automation is about fixed, rule-based tasks; AI involves learning, adaptation, and decision-making under uncertainty
C. AI always requires human intervention for every decision
D. Automation is more advanced than AI by definition
Correct answer: B. Automation is rule-based; AI adds learning and adaptation — AI can power more flexible, data-driven automation.
14. In the context of AI governance, “algorithmic accountability” mainly refers to:
A. Holding only end-users responsible for all AI outputs
B. Mechanisms to ensure designers, deployers, and organizations are responsible for AI systems’ impacts
C. Allowing algorithms to govern themselves
D. Ensuring algorithms do not need human oversight
Correct answer: B. Mechanisms to ensure responsible design and use — Accountability frameworks assign responsibility for harms or misuse.
15. Which of the following is a key challenge with using AI in healthcare diagnostics?
A. AI models cannot process images
B. Ensuring data privacy, avoiding bias, and integrating AI with clinical judgement
C. Doctors are legally banned from using any AI tools
D. AI can never detect patterns in medical scans
Correct answer: B. Privacy, bias, and integration with clinical judgement — Ethical, legal, and operational issues must be addressed.
16. “Data is the new oil” in AI context primarily highlights:
A. Data is a fossil fuel
B. Data, like oil, is scarce and non-renewable
C. Data is a valuable resource that fuels AI systems and must be refined and managed responsibly
D. Data can only be used once
Correct answer: C. Data is a valuable resource — Its collection, quality, and governance are crucial for AI.
17. In the Indian context, which initiative specifically focuses on promoting AI for social good and inclusive growth?
A. Digital India only
B. Make in India only
C. National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (“AI for All” by NITI Aayog)
D. Swachh Bharat Mission only
Correct answer: C. National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (“AI for All”) — It outlines how India can leverage AI for inclusive development.
18. Which of the following correctly describes a “chatbot”?
A. A physical robot that cleans floors
B. A software application that conducts conversation with users via text or voice using rules or AI models
C. A hardware device used to store chat transcripts
D. An operating system for mobile phones only
Correct answer: B. A software application that conducts conversation — Many chatbots now use NLP and machine learning.
19. Which of the following best captures the idea of “human-in-the-loop” in AI systems?
A. Humans are completely removed from decision-making
B. Humans design systems but never monitor them
C. Humans remain involved in critical steps such as training, validation, or final decision-making
D. Humans only supply electricity to AI systems
Correct answer: C. Humans remain involved in critical steps — This improves oversight, safety, and ethical alignment.
20. Which of the following is a major concern regarding the impact of AI on labour markets?
A. AI guarantees universal employment
B. AI has no effect on any type of job
C. Displacement of certain job categories and need for large-scale reskilling and upskilling
D. AI can only create jobs and never eliminate them
Correct answer: C. Displacement and reskilling needs — Policy has to manage transitions, safety nets, and skill development.
