Tag: technology

Millions Are Connecting with Chatbots and AI

C1 – Advanced

Not surprisingly, Lexico’s 2020 Word of the Year is “quarantine,” or “cuarentena” in Spanish. It has dominated headlines and people’s lives, and it will endure in the stories we tell our grandchildren many years hence.

Part and parcel of the whole pandemic experience is the loneliness and overall impact on mental well-being experienced by a populace told to shelter in place for days on end. Restrictions on movement and reduced hours outdoors have led some to turn to technology to assuage their isolation in the new normal. Whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones on WhatsApp or attending an online class on Zoom, various communication platforms have come front and center as sensible solutions.

Now consider Replika, an artificial-intelligence app that was popular even in pre-COVID-19 times. Millions of users consider this chatbot a virtual friend whom they can connect with and share their feelings.

Given the possiblity of new lockdowns due to spikes in COVID-19 infections, are more downloads in store for these kinds of smartphone applications?

Get to know the Replika phenomenon further by watching the video below.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Describe the possible contexts in which people would turn to AI for companionship?
  2. What possible use cases for bots like Replika are mentioned in the video? Can you think of other uses?
  3. Why do chatbot users sometimes prefer talking with their virtual friends rather the humans around them?
  4. Do you believe it’s truly possible to develop an emotional connection with a chatbot?
  5. What are some ethical considerations that arise as this technology continues to evolve?

Game Console Keeps Chicken Warm

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fast food restaurant KFC has introduced a gaming console in partnership with Cooler Master. This machine is capable of running games at top-level specifications and features that you can heat your chicken pieces or keep it warm while you play intense gaming sessions.

Let’s read more about this gaming console in this article.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/12/23/tech/kfc-games-console-chicken-scli-intl/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this device?
  2. Do you think this gaming console is useful to gamers? What could possibly go wrong with using it?
  3. What do you think of the idea of KFC collaborating with Cooler Master? Is this some sort of a clever business gimmick?

Japan to Use Artificial Intelligence to Match Couples

B1 – Intermediate

Can you imagine yourself finding someone to be with in a relationship through the use of an AI software? Well, it is now possible.

Japan has recently started using an AI program to match couples in order to increase their birth rate, which is one of the lowest in the world.

Read the article for more information on AI matchmaking.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2012/201211-ai-matchmaking-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of this AI matchmaking program in Japan?
  2. Will this help the country address its problem on low birth rate?
  3. Do you have the same issue in your country? How has the government addressed this issue so far?
  4. Will your government be willing to spend much money to get men and women matched up using an AI technology?
  5. Would this be an effective tool for an ageing society?
  6. What are the pros and cons of this technology?

The World’s First Solar-Powered Airport

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Solar energy is the technology used to harness the sun’s energy and make it useable. Many are familiar with so-called photovoltaic cells, or solar panels, found on things like spacecraft, rooftops, and handheld calculators. The cells are made of semiconductor materials like those found in computer chips. When sunlight hits the cells, it knocks electrons loose from their atoms. As the electrons flow through the cell, they generate electricity.

Let’s find out how an airport from India became the world’s first solar-powered airport.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/technology/worlds-first-solar-powered-airport.htm

Discussion Questions:

  1. What comes into mind when you hear the term ‘solar energy’?
  2. Are you interested in solar energy?
  3. What are the pros and cons of solar energy?
  4. Do you think buying solar panels for your home is a good investment?
  5. Do you think solar energy could solve the global warming problem?
  6. How can you save some energy in your everyday life?

New Device Puts Music in Your Head

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Move over, ear pods! Get out of the way, headsets!

Noveto Systems invented a device that sends sound directly to listeners. With this new technology, there is no need for headphones.

Are we soon going to bid ear pods and headsets farewell?

Watch the video, listen to the audio, and/or read the transcript about the new technology known as “sound beaming”.

https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/new-device-puts-music-in-your-head-/5659759.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this new technology?
  2. How do you like listening to your music? What device do you use in listening?
  3. Do you think that with this technology, we would eventually no longer have the need for headsets and such listening devices?
  4. What technology related to music do you want to see in the future?
  5. What gadgets / technology for music are popular in your country these days?

Digital Marketing Trends for 2020

B2 – Upper Intermediate

We have fully immersed ourselves in all things digital these days. Internet is the best place to reach out to millions of people using different strategies. Let us familiarize ourselves with the current online marketing trends in 2020.

Read the article below.

5 Digital Marketing Trends for 2020?

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the different marketing trends mentioned in the article? Explain.

2. Do you have other marketing tactics that you use?

3. Have you embraced a more digital-minded business or digital strategies? What digital tools do you use?

4. How would you rate your skills and resources in digital marketing?

5. What other digital marketing trends or strategies do you foresee or would like to see in the coming days?

The Race to Build the World’s First Hyperloop

C1 – Advanced

A lot of people think it can’t be done. It started as a theory way back in 2013, many were skeptical about it saying it’s not going to work and a lot of countries won’t be able to afford it as they are already struggling to produce MAGLEV trains. Despite all that, the race to build the world’s first hyperloop has continued on.

Watch the video and know more about hyperloop and what it has to offer.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is a hyperloop?
  2. What are the advantages of using a hyperloop?
  3. If you could live in one city and work in another, which city would you like to work at and which one would you want to live in? Why?
  4. What are the other things you can’t wait to be invented?
  5. If you could go anywhere using a hyperloop, which place won’t you get tired of visiting and why?

Gorilla Glass Toughest Smartphone Screen

B1 – Intermediate

Most people has a mobile phone. We take care of it because it is a very important device for us.

Every gadget owner’s worst fear is dropping their phone and breaking the glass on its screen. However, as technology advances, the glass used as material in making our mobile phone screens has also been improved a lot.

Read this lesson about the most durable smartphone screen.

https://breakingnewsenglish.com/2007/200728-smartphone-glass-1.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news on tougher mobile phone screens?
  2. Have you ever dropped your smartphone and break its screen? What did you do when that happened?
  3. What other improvements or technology do you want to see in mobile phones?

World’s First AI Humanoid Robot

C1 – Advanced

For some, the idea of artificial intelligence, of programmed machines that seem capable of independent thought, is easily the stuff of fiction. Imagine, a non-living thing that is capable of learning and interacting with humans. But as the technology behind AI continues to push the envelope of what we thought possible, there are significant implications for the future.

Listen as renowned author and speaker Tony Robbins converses with Sophia. See how human and humanoid don’t pull any punches and ask each other thought-provoking questions that yield deep answers.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts and feelings about this interaction between Tony and Sophia?
  2. Which parts of the conversation stood out in your mind?
  3. If you could ask Sophia three questions of your own, what would they be?
  4. Do you think Sophia will eventually live up to the meaning of her name?

Tell Siri You’re Getting Pulled Over By the Police

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Due to some incidents of police brutality we’ve seen recently, iPhone is making it possible for users to automatically record any interactions with the police by saying “Hey Siri, I’m getting pulled over.”

Read this news and find out about this new iPhone shortcut that might come in handy when you find yourself in a sticky situation with police officers.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/16/us/iphone-police-shortcut-record-trnd/index.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on this phone shortcut? Do you want a similar function on your phone?
  2. Share incidents of police brutality in your country. If it never happens there, what do you think are reasons it doesn’t occur?
  3. Why do you think some police get aggressive toward civilians sometimes?
  4. Talk about your experience being pulled over by cops.
  5. How are cops like in your country?