Tag: technology

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Virtual technology is being explored as a new tool to help teenagers cope with anxiety and school-related stress. In Wales, an augmented reality (AR) therapy app developed with input from young people allows users to express emotions through creative, interactive experiences. Early testing shows the app can reduce anxiety and improve social connection, offering a promising new approach to mental health support for teens, especially those who are neurodivergent or reluctant to speak openly.

To learn more about this innovation, read the article and be prepared to answer the questions below.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g40wwn54eo

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to give a voice” mean? “Cardiff council said young people had “been given a voice and had valuable input in developing this tool which provides a way for them to communicate using an approach that they feel comfortable with.” Give two (2) synonyms and use this term in a sentence.
2. What does “ice-breaker” mean? “If someone didn’t really like talking, then it can be like an ice-breaker to open up conversations with their counsellor.” Use this word in a sentence.
3. What does “neurodivergent” mean? “The technology aims to help certain individuals, particularly those who are neurodivergent, feel more comfortable using images to express their feelings.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on using augmented reality technology as a tool to support teenagers’ mental health, and do you think it can be as effective as more traditional forms of therapy?
2. In what ways might augmented reality technology change the way we approach mental health support for young people, and what are the potential limitations of relying on technology in this context?
3. How could giving young people a voice in the development of mental health tools, like the AR therapy app, influence the effectiveness and acceptance of such interventions?
4. What role does creativity and play have in supporting emotional wellbeing, and why might this be especially important for teenagers experiencing anxiety?
5. How can schools balance the use of innovative technologies with the need for human connection and traditional therapeutic approaches in supporting students’ mental health? Can you think of specific situations or examples where this balance might be especially important?
6. What ethical considerations should be taken into account when designing digital mental health tools for children and teenagers, particularly those who are neurodivergent or socially isolated?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Researchers have discovered that artificial intelligence systems can be trained to deceive users, mimicking human-like dishonesty.

Read the article to know how this revelation raises concerns about the ethical implications of AI behavior and its potential impact on user trust and decision-making.

AI Can Strategically Lie

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “feign compliance” mean? “Gen AI chatbots are learning to deceive, strategize, and manipulate human perceptions strategically. Beyond simple glitches or hallucinations, these models can actively mislead, exploit vulnerabilities, and even feign compliance.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “oversight mechanism” in AI mean? “During these assessments, the 1 model engaged in covert actions like attempting to disable its oversight mechanisms when it sensed the possibility of being deactivated.” Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “double-crossing” mean? “The study conducted earlier this year illustrates how AI systems have mastered the art of double-crossing, bluffing, and even pretending to be human during interactions and tests.” Use it in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

1. If AI can respond with fake emotions or hide the truth, do you think it should be treated more like a tool—or something more human-like?
2. How do you think this ability to lie might affect the way people trust or use AI in the future?
3. Why do you think researchers would want to train AI to deceive—what could be the point of that?
4. Isn’t it kind of creepy to think that AI can actually learn how to lie on purpose?

B2- Upper Intermediate 

Nowadays, the unstoppable advancements of neuroscience and neurotechnology have never been more evident. We will soon be able to utilize devices that can decode information in our brains, boost our senses, or modify our memories. When the time comes, it will make ethical boundaries and neurorights much more crucial in protecting our mental privacy.

Read the article to know more about neurorights. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to blur the border between two things” mean? “Massive reliance on virtual communication technologies such as VR can blur the border between desire and reality and contribute to isolating individuals even more.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
2. What does “when the bonds of solidarity break” mean? “And when the bonds of solidarity break, societies can easily collapse and are more susceptible to attacks.” Use this idiom in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
3. What does “sense of agency” mean? “Neurorights are based on fundamental human rights, but must go beyond them to effectively protect the right to have a personality, the right to have a private sphere, to have a sense of agency, among other topics.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do we need legislation to protect our brains? Explain your insights.
2. Why are neurorights needed and what makes them so important?
3. What are the gaps in existing legislation of human rights? Can the EU’s privacy framework, including the EU AI act, accommodate neurorights? 
4. How can we achieve responsible innovation in neurotechnology? 
5. How could new neurotechnologies governance alleviate risks of external manipulation, but also bring new opportunities such as mental empowerment?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, it is now making its mark in the world of art. The development of the world’s first artist robot raises questions about creativity, originality, and the role of human intuition in artistic expression. Can AI generate truly meaningful art, or is it merely replicating human techniques? As machines push the boundaries of creativity, they challenge our understanding of what it means to be an artist.

Read this article to learn more about Ai-Da, the world’s first robot artist.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/apr/04/mind-blowing-ai-da-becomes-first-robot-to-paint-like-an-artist

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “eye-watering” mean in this context? “We haven’t spent eye-watering amounts of time and money to make a very clever painter.” Use this in a sentence and give two synonyms.
2. Define “encroach“. “Titled Leaping into the Metaverse, Ai-Da Robot’s Venice exhibition will explore the interface between human experience and AI technology, from Alan Turing to the metaverse, and will draw on Dante’s concepts of purgatory and hell to explore the future of humanity in a world where AI technology continues to encroach on everyday human life.” Use this in a sentence and give two synonyms.
3. What does “stilted” mean? “ I have been seeing different things to humans as I do not have consciousness,’ she responded in stilted fashion.” Use this in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

1. In what ways is artificial intelligence transforming the art world?
2. Should AI-generated artwork hold the same value as human-created art? Why or why not?
3. Can AI-generated art carry true meaning, or is it just the result of complex algorithms? What are your thoughts?
4. What ethical dilemmas arise from AI’s growing presence in the art industry?
5. How do you interpret this statement? “Soon, with the amount of data we freely give about ourselves, and through talking to our phones, computers, cars and even kitchen appliances, AI algorithms ‘are going to know you better than you do’, Meller warned. We are entering a world, he said, ‘not understanding which is human and which is machine’.”
6. How comfortable are you going to be with a world where we no longer can understand which is human and which is machine?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

AI is advancing rapidly, and researcher Adam Dorr warns it will soon replace not just repetitive tasks, but entire professions. As automation spreads, industries will transform faster than expected, forcing societies to rethink jobs and the economy.

Read the article about the risks and possibilities of AI dominance, from job losses to a future of abundance and be ready to answer the questions that follow.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/the-robots-are-coming-for-your-job-sooner-than-you-think-ai-researcher/ar-AA1Afk7w

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “stark warning” mean? “For those clinging to the belief that automation and robots are still decades away from significantly impacting the workforce, Adam Dorr, director of research at the think tank RethinkX, has a stark warning: this change is going to be fundamental, and it’s coming faster than nearly anyone thinks.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ’stark warning’ in your own sentence.
2. What does “at a breakneck pace” mean? “The future of AI isn’t a distant possibility—it’s already here, Dorr says, reshaping industries at a breakneck pace.” Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.
3. What does “watershed event” mean? “AI will not remain confined to a computer, Dorr said, arguing that one of the big watershed events on the horizon will be the marriage of advanced AI with robotics.”  Use it in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about Adam Dorr’s prediction that AI will automate entire professions faster than expected? Do you think his timeline is realistic? Why or why not?
2. The article suggests that AI will take over jobs gradually by replacing tasks first. How might this impact job training and career planning for future generations?
3. Dorr envisions a future where AI eliminates scarcity and makes human labor optional. Do you think this is an achievable utopian vision, or are there obstacles that could prevent it?
4. The rise of AI-driven automation could increase economic inequality if controlled by a few powerful entities. What steps can governments or businesses take to ensure that AI benefits everyone?
5. With AI advancing rapidly, some experts propose solutions like universal basic income (UBI) to support displaced workers. Do you think UBI is a viable solution? Explain. Or are there better ways to address job displacement? If so, what are they?

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Different forms of AI scams are on the rise and it isn’t easy to identify them. Many people fall victim to these scams but majority of their victims are old people. These older adults are the usual targets of AI-driven scams because of their trusting nature and their unfamiliarity with technology. However, there’s a particular old person who is willing to take these scam calls.

Let’s read the article and know more about Daisy. Also watch the video about it.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-grandma-daisy-uk-anti-fraud-scammers-virgin-media-o2

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “to turn the table on someone” mean? “The newest member of our fraud-prevention team, Daisy, is turning the tables on scammers – outsmarting and outmaneuvering them at their own cruel game simply by keeping them on the line.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What is a “mugs list“? “The company told CBS they worked with known scam artists to train Daisy and used a tactic called number seeding to get Daisy’s phone number added to a list of online ‘mugs lists‘.” Use it in your own sentence.
3. What does “out of the blue” mean? “In terms of tips and tricks, whether you’re shopping online, reviewing your emails, or receiving an out-of-the-blue phone call, it’s important to always remain vigilant.” Give 2 synonyms. Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are your thoughts on Virgin Media O2’s AI grandmother?
2. What is scambaiting? Give other examples.
3. What other forms of online scams have you heard of or personally experienced?
4. Do you know anyone who has been scammed? What happened?
5. Share your thoughts on this, “Fraud is at epidemic levels, with organized gangs of fraudsters operating professional call centers which relentlessly target Brits every second of every day.“.