Tag: technology

The World of Artificial Intelligence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Tech pro Elon Musk warned people about the danger of artificial intelligence. Nowadays, machines are all around us. Opinions will differ when it comes to AI.

https://money.cnn.com/2014/10/26/technology/elon-musk-artificial-intelligence-demon/?iid=EL

Discussion Questions:

1. Has AI made our lives better?
2. Do you see the dangers of using or relying on artificial intelligence?
3. Do you support artificial intelligence?
4. Do you think we can depend on Elon Musk’s statement about AI?

The Danger of Artificial Intelligence

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Scientist Stephen Hawking believes that Artificial intelligence can be a threat to human race.

Read the article below to know more about the possible consequences of artificial intelligence. Be ready to answer the questions that follow.

http://breakingnewsenglish.com/1412/141209-stephen-hawking.html

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you know about artificial intelligence?
2. Do you believe this famous scientist’s
statement?
3. How have robots helped us in the past 15 years?
4. In your opinion, what are some jobs that only people can do?

Foodini Food Printer

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Lazy old days won’t be the same once you have a 3D printer that will just give you what you are craving for. ‘Foodini’ is an innovative machine that will print real food without taking your time preparing it. It was introduced by Natural Machines.

https://edition.cnn.com/2014/11/06/tech/innovation/foodini-machine-print-food/index.html

Discussion Questions:

1. Would you like to taste food straight from your printer? Why or why not?
2. Do you think food items processed by ‘Foodini’ are healthy? Explain your thoughts.
3. Will this machine be a helpful one? Is it worth buying, especially when it costs top dollar? Explain.
4. If you could invent something related to food, what would it be?
5. What are some of the food inventions that you truly enjoy and/or would like to try?

Bridging the Technology Gap

B1 – Intermediate

We are in the high technology age. Technical devices get upgraded almost every time.

However, did we consider those people still living in the past? If they have the same knowledge of technology as the people of this generation?

This article contains a video and an audio clip. Feel free to to watch and listen.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/teen-senior-bridge-technology-gap/2451596.html

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your opinion about this type of classes?
  2. Would you volunteer to be a tech teacher to an elderly person? Why or why not?
  3. What are some things that older people should learn about technology/internet etc. and why?
  4. What are other things old people should be taught about by younger people?
  5. Should this tech gap be considered a social issue? Explain.

Video: Young Kids as Coders

C1 – Advanced

Meet Max, a ten year old boy, whose interest is, probably, far different from most kids his age. Watch as he talks about why he thinks it’s important for young kids to be taught how to write codes.

Ten-year-old computer programmer backs school change

Discuss:

1. What can you say about Max?
2. Do you agree with what he said?
3. Do you think it would be good to teach Spanish children to code computer programs too?

Gaming Technology in Surgical Training

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Following Facebook’s recent acquisition of Oculus VR – a next generation virtual reality technology – gaming enthusiasts are expressing hostility towards it. Discover how gaming technology could be used in surgical training and find out why the gaming industry is being antagonistic about it.

Feel free to watch the videos included in the article.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/281752.php#1

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts about this news?
  2. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using such technology?
  3. What other technologies has drastically helped the medical industry?