Tag: technology

Meta Safety Measures Amidst Social Media Fraud

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Social media websites have become hotspots for fraudulent schemes. Cybercriminals are now using sophisticated methods to scam users leading to them losing a lot of money in the end.

Following this, Meta is implementing new regulations that aim to protect users from these fraudulent schemes on their platform.

Read the article about the safety measures Meta is implementing in Australia amidst social media fraud.

Meta Implements Safety Measures in Australia Amidst Social Media Fraud

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “celebrity bait”. “Meta’s move comes in the wake of a rise in “celebrity bait” scams that use AI-generated images and videos of prominent figures such as David Koch, Gina Rinehart and Anthony Albanese to promote fake investment opportunities.” Use the term in a sentence. 
  2. What does “disclaimer” mean? “Once approved, the ad will display a “payment amount” disclaimer, ensuring transparency and helping users distinguish genuine from fraudulent content.” Use the word in a sentence. Give a similar expression.
  3. What does “to come in the wake of something” mean? “Meta’s move comes in the wake ofa rise in “celebrity bait” scams that use AI-generated images and videos of prominent figures such as David Koch, Gina Rinehart and Anthony Albanese to promote fake investment opportunities.” Use the idiom in a sentence. Give a similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Talk about some social media frauds mentioned in the article.
  2. Share your insights about Meta’s new rules.
  3. What is your reaction/are your thoughts about this, “Social media platforms increasingly becoming hotspots for fraud, with cybercriminals using sophisticated techniques to deceive users.“
  4. Share your reaction to this, “AI-generated content was responsible for more than $12 billion in fraud losses last year. Projections suggest that these losses in the US could reach $40 billion by 2027.”
  5. Do you think the same problems exist in your country? Talk about it.

Information Apocalypse

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Photos, videos, and audio recordings used to feel like reliable evidence. Today, that trust is being challenged as digital content becomes easier to manipulate and harder to verify. From fake social media profiles to AI-generated videos, misinformation can spread quickly and influence how people think, vote, and react to world events.

Watch the video below to learn how deepfakes work, why they are so convincing, and why they pose a serious challenge to our shared understanding of reality.

Vocabulary Questions

  1. What does “carpet-bomb” mean in the sentence, “I can carpet-bomb the internet with these things”? Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “sow civil unrest” mean in the sentence, “We’ve already seen the first nefarious uses of that technology in the creation of fake profiles on Twitter, on YouTube, on Facebook, and on LinkedIn to either start to promote fake news, to sow civil unrest, to commit fraud”? Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “whole cloth” mean in the sentence, “You are synthesizing whole cloth”? Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions

  1. Do you think people trust online images and videos too easily? Why or why not?
  2. Have you ever seen a photo or video online that later turned out to be fake or misleading?
  3. Why do you think social media makes it easier for misinformation to spread?
  4. Should technology companies be more responsible for stopping fake content online? Why or why not?
  5. What can individuals do to be more careful when consuming news on social media?

Is Social Media Dead?

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Perhaps, three or four years ago, we were so engrossed in social media platforms. But as generative AI rises, many users feel that their feeds no longer contain contents that they can relate with or reflect their preferences or interests.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about the way we use social media has changed over time.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2026/ep-260108

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “downward spiral” mean? “Is social media on a downward spiral?” Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym.
  2. What does “behemoth” mean? “We see the large social networks and the tech behemoths leaning into generated content, and I think users don’t actually want that.” Use the word in a sentence and give a synonym.
  3. What does “gravitate towards” mean? “I see people gravitating towards smaller online spaces, connecting more closely with individual voices, like creator types, and just posting less in general.” Use the phrase in a sentence and give a synonym.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Is social media dead? Share your insights regarding this.
  2. Was there a moment for you when you felt like social media changed? In what ways?
  3. Do you think this is really happening nowadays, “People gravitate towards smaller online spaces, connecting more closely with individual voices, like creator types, and just posting less in general.”?
  4. Do you agree or not, “Social media was friendlier before – an online space to make friends, have fun and discuss the latest cultural happenings.”? Share your thoughts.
  5. Imagine a world where people use socmed less or not at all.

How a Spanish Virus Brought Google to Málaga

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A small, mostly harmless computer virus created in Spain once infected a university computer in Málaga. What seemed like a minor digital nuisance became a turning point, inspiring a young student to dive deep into cybersecurity instead of turning away from technology.

Years later, that early challenge led to the creation of VirusTotal, a platform that caught Google’s attention and reshaped Málaga’s tech landscape. The acquisition brought Google’s European cybersecurity hub to the city, transforming it into a global center for digital security.

Read the article and now more. 

https://tech.yahoo.com/cybersecurity/articles/spanish-virus-brought-google-m-180000233.html

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to dive back into” mean in this sentence? “He dove back into the virus’s code, looking for clues his 18-year-old self might have missed.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does the idiom “hit someone like a ton of bricks” mean? “This hit Quintero like a ton of bricks; now, he would never be able to ask Antonio about “Kike.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “to live on beyond these walls” mean? “Astorga’s legacy also lives on beyond these walls, and not just through his students.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How did the virus discovered at the university influence Bernardo Quintero’s career path and future decisions?
  2. In what ways can unexpected problems or challenges lead to innovation and long-term success?
  3. What factors helped Málaga transform from a regular city into a European technology hub?
  4. Share your thoughts on Malaga being a true cybersecurity talent hub.
  5. How does this story illustrate the relationship between curiosity, experimentation, and learning?

Google to Launch First of its AI Glasses

B2 – Upper Intermediate

AI glasses are smart eyewear that use artificial intelligence to give information directly to the user. They can work through sound or visuals and help with tasks like directions, translation, or quick answers, and are part of a growing trend in wearable technology that makes devices more personal and interactive.

Let’s read the article and find out more about this new technology from Google.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/google-ai-glasses-launch-2026.html?msockid=3e823237b7b86c5f2f8f21e1b6ac6ddf

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to ramp up efforts” mean in this sentence? “Google is ramping up its efforts to compete against Meta.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “to get back into the game” mean in this sentence? “Google’s Monday updates come after the company in May announced that it would be getting back into the smart glasses game.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does “competitive market” mean? “Other companies like Snap and Alibaba have also been churning out their own AI glasses offerings as the small but competitive market continues to grow.” Use it in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI glasses will become as common as smartphones? Why or why not?
  2. What are the potential advantages of audio-only glasses compared to glasses with a display?
  3. How might AI glasses change the way people communicate and learn languages?
  4. What risks or challenges could arise from wearing AI-powered glasses in public?
  5. How might AI glasses affect privacy and data security?

AI Artwork Sells for $1m

B2 – Upper Intermediate

A painting created by an artificial intelligence robot has sold for more than $1 million, showing how technology is changing the world of art. This surprising sale has sparked conversations about creativity, value, and whether machines can be considered real artists.

Read the article or watch the video to find out more information about this.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqdvz4w45wo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to crack a code” mean? “The scientist played a crucial role in the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two by helping to crack codes and deciphering the infamous Enigma machine at Bletchley Park.” Make a sentence with this phrase and give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What is the meaning of “to grapple with“? “Aidan Meller, director of the Ai-Da Robot Studios, said: “This auction is an important moment for the visual arts, where Ai-Da’s artwork brings focus on artworld and societal changes, as we grapple with the rising age of AI.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What is the meaning of “outstrip”? “Sotheby’s said the online sale, which ended at 19:00 GMT on Thursday, was bought by an undisclosed buyer for a price “far outstripping the artwork’s estimate price”.” Make a sentence using the word and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI can be considered an artist? Why or why not?
  2. Can AI truly be creative, or is it just copying patterns?
  3. What does the sale of AI art for over $1 million say about our society and culture?
  4. Can art still be meaningful if it has no emotions or life experiences behind it?
  5. How does knowing a robot made a painting change how you feel about it?

A Mother’s Plea after Girl Died Copying Social Media Trend

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

Sonia Hopkin, the mother of Tiegan Jarman, the 13-year-old girl who died after doing a trend she saw on TikTok, pleas for measures to be taken to make young children more aware not only about the dangers of household chemicals, but also of the internet. 

Read the article about a mother’s plea after losing her daughter over a social media trend.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz94j0zd9j3o

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Define “chroming”. “Mrs Hopkin also called on TikTok to do more to stop actions, such as chroming, from becoming trends.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “solvent abuse” mean? “The mother of a girl who died while copying a “horrible” social media trend is calling for children to be taught about the dangers of solvent abuse.” Use the term in a sentence.
  3. What does “to raise awareness” mean? “Mrs Hopkin now wants to raise awareness of the “dangers of this horrible trend”.” Use the idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about what happened to Sonia Hopkin’s daughter?
  2. What is your opinion about introducing mandatory lessons about solvent abuse at schools?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “One video would be bad, but the fact it has become a trend is unbelievable. It shouldn’t be available on the internet.“
  4. What can you say about Tik-tok’s statement, “Content promoting dangerous challenges is not allowed on TikTok, and we proactively removed 99.8% of videos that violated our policies on this issue before they were reported to us.”
  5. How are children taught about the dangers of social media and the internet at schools in your country?
  6. Have you ever heard of similar incident where a person got into trouble because of some trend they saw on social media?

AI to Help Doctors Find and Fix Broken Bones

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way doctors diagnose and treat bone problems. With new tools and technologies, bone treatment has become faster, more accurate, and easier for both patients and medical professionals.

Read this article to learn more about this.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce9de78gdleo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “pilot scheme” mean? “Trust will take part in a two-year NHS England pilot scheme starting later this month.” Use this term in a sentence. Give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. Define “dislocation“. “Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be used in hospitals to find fractures and dislocations and provide quicker treatment as part of a new trial.” Make a sentence using the word in the same context.
  3. What’s the meaning of “course of treatment“? “Every x-ray will still be examined by our clinicians, and they will make the final decision about the diagnosis and the correct course of treatment for that patient.” Use the phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI should be allowed to assist in diagnosing medical conditions? Why or why not?
  2. The article mentions that AI will highlight “potential issues.”
    Do you think this could cause doctors to rely on AI too much, or will it help them work more efficiently?
  3. How do you feel about your personal medical information being processed by AI systems?
  4. If AI becomes highly accurate, should it eventually replace some tasks done by radiologists and clinicians, or should humans always make the final decision? Explain your viewpoint.

Smart Home Voice Control Changing Security Habits

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

The integration of voice control in smart home technologies has been reshaping the way homeowners manage their home security systems.

Tasks that used to require manual action or using a mobile application can now be done with a simple voice command.

Read the article about the fusion of voice assistants and home security systems.

https://www.articlecube.com/how-smart-home-voice-control-changing-everyday-security-habits

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “household safeguarding” mean? “This new relationship between voice control and household safeguarding is reshaping the everyday habits of households seeking a more secure, efficient experience.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
  2. What does “arming system” mean? “This voice-activated communication is making individuals more disciplined about arming systems before going to sleep, checking the lock, and checking the alarms.” Use the term in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.
  3. What does “second nature” mean? “Asking a voice assistant to arm the system and pick up keys, making breakfast, and going out to work is second nature.”  Use the idiom in a sentence and give a synonym or similar expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the pros and cons of smart home voice control in home security?
  2. Share your thoughts and own experience with using voice assistants in your home security system.
  3. Share your insights on this, “This voice-activated communication is making individuals more disciplined about arming systems. The outcome will be a shift from reactive involvement to a more active, everyday security practice.”
  4. What do you think about this, “Voice control also helps one to be alert and informed, even where the user would have been distracted or fatigued.”?
  5. Share your thoughts on this, “Voice interaction is convenient and encourages users to engage more with their systems, resulting in improved security outcomes.”

AI Model Challenges OpenAI

B2 – Upper Intermediate

This AI can be utilised by students, professionals, and everyday users to enhance productivity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Its versatility makes it a powerful tool for both learning and daily tasks.

OLMo 3 is an advanced AI language model that helps people with tasks like answering questions, generating text, and learning new things. It is faster and smarter than previous versions, providing more accurate and helpful responses.

You can watch the video to learn more about this new technology.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the adjective  “open‑source” mean? “It is the new open‑source model that is designed to compete at the highest level.” Use it in a sentence. 
  2. What does the phrase “put every card on the table” mean? “By putting every card on the table, its creators are betting that thousands of developers building in public can out-innovate any single secretive lab.” Use it in a sentence. 
  3. What does the word “out-innovate” mean? “By putting every card on the table, its creators are betting that thousands of developers building in public can out-innovate any single secretive lab.” Use it in a sentence. 

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard of OLMo3? What do you know about it?
  2. What are your thoughts on radical transparency in AI?
  3. Why is radical transparency in AI important?
  4. Compare closed AI models (like ChatGPT) and open-source models (like OLMo 3). Which approach do you prefer and why?
  5. OLMo 3 is called a “glass‑box AI” instead of a “black-box AI.” What do you think this means?