Tag: technology

The Ethical Dilemma of Self-Driving Cars

B2 – Upper Intermediate

The arrival of self-driving cars presents numerous opportunities and challenges, leading to a significant dilemma in the fields of transportation and technology.

As we explore the exciting world of cars that can drive themselves, we must address questions about safety, ethics, and how it affects society.

This investigation into the self-driving car dilemma focuses on finding the right balance between creating new and innovative technology and being responsible, while also examining the ethical aspects of this transformative change.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “thought experiment“? “This is a thought experiment. Let’s say at some point in the not so distant future, you’re barreling down the highway in your self-driving car, and you find yourself boxed in on all sides by other cars.” Give 2 synonyms or similar expressions and use “thought experiment” in a sentence.
  2. What does “to barrel down” mean? “Let’s say at some point in the not so distant future, you’re barreling down the highway in your self-driving car, and you find yourself boxed in on all sides by other cars.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. Explain what “to remove something from the equation” means. “Now, to be fair, self-driving cars are predicted to dramatically reduce traffic accidents and fatalities by removing human error from the driving equation.” Make your own sentence using this expression.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe that the widespread adoption of self-driving cars will present significant ethical dilemmas? Why or why not?
  2. In your opinion, should self-driving cars prioritize the safety of their occupants over pedestrians and other drivers, or should all lives be treated equally in ethical decision-making algorithms?
  3. What ethical principles should guide the programming of self-driving cars in situations where there is a risk of harm? How can these principles be balanced?
  4. Do you think society is adequately prepared for the ethical challenges posed by self-driving cars, or are there aspects that need more attention and discussion?

AI Law to be Voted On in Europe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Europe is about to decide on new laws for artificial intelligence (AI), and it’s a big deal. As we use AI more in our lives these days, we need rules to make sure it’s ethical and that it abides by certain standards and regulations.

Watch the video to know why these AI laws in Europe matter, how they might affect cool new tech stuff, our privacy, and how we find the right balance between advancing technology and keeping our important human values. Be able to answer the questions that follow.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the phrase “to make rounds“? “But then, there are also those AI-generated photos and videos and music making rounds.” Make a sentence using this idiom.
  2. What does the phrase “to keep score on someone/something” mean? “Acceptable risk is when AI is used for things deemed so unethical such as biometric surveillance or even using it to keep social scores on people.” Make a sentence using this expression.
  3. What is the meaning of the expression “first of its kind?” “Members of the European parliament want to make sure AI is safe, transparent, traceable, non-discriminatory, and environmentally-friendly and if approved, it will be the first of of its kind in the world.” Give 2 synonyms and use “first of its kind” in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on the need for specific laws and regulations addressing artificial intelligence?
  2. How do you believe AI laws can balance the promotion of innovation with ensuring ethical and responsible AI use?
  3. Do you agree the proposals mentioned in the video? In your opinion, what ethical considerations should be prioritized when drafting AI laws?
  4. What role do you think public input and awareness should play in shaping AI laws and regulations?

Guidelines for Employees’ Responsible Use of Generative AI

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As of writing, ChatGPT has gained around 180.5 million users in a short span of time since it was launched. It is just one among many generative artificial intelligence (GAI) apps. More employees are using ChatGPT, but majority do not let their managers know about it. There is still the question of how it can be maximized and used responsibly at work.

Read the article about how companies can tap generative AI’s benefits and the ways to use it in a safe, productive, and responsible way in the workplace.

https://www.linkedin.com/business/talent/blog/talent-acquisition/guidelines-for-using-gai-responsibly

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the idiom ”There is a good chance (that)” mean? “There’s a good chance that more people are using generative AI (GAI) than you think, and most of them are doing it without your knowledge or permission.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  2. What does the expression “without one’s knowledge” mean? “However, 68% admit they’re using it without their boss’s knowledge.” Give 2 similar expressions and make a sentence using ‘without one’s knowledge’.
  3. What is “user interface”? “You can’t blame people for being interested in the recent buzz around generative AI given the simplicity of new user interfaces for using AI to create high-quality text, images, and videos in a matter of seconds.” Use this term in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are some ways to use generative AI productively, safely, and responsibly in the workplace?
  2. How do you think is GAI being used by employees in your company? How are you using GAI at work?
  3. Share your thoughts on this, “More than 40% of professionals have used ChatGPT or other generative AI in some capacity at work. However, 68% admit they’re using it without their boss’s knowledge. This suggests a level of uncertainty around how companies might perceive using such technology within the workplace.”.
  4. What other benefits could GAI provide for businesses/companies?
  5. Talk about other things you know about GAI.

Artificial Intelligence to Become Sentient

B2 – Upper Intermediate

In 2022, software engineer Blake Lemoine was fired from Google after blowing the whistle on the firm’s artificially intelligent chatbot “LaMDA”. He thought the AI ‘has come to life’. 

But Google was quick to respond saying Lemoine’s claims that the advanced AI chatbot was sentient were nothing short of baseless.

The question remains, though. Will computers eventually become sentient?

Watch this video and find out about computers gaining consciousness.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. Explain what ”reframe” means. “We have to be very careful about how we talk about that and reframe these things as tools.” Use this word in a sentence.
  2. What does the expression “state of affairs” mean? “It’s a sad state of affairs for us.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What does “means to an end” mean, “We must treat others as ends in and of themselves rather than means to our own end.”? Use this idiom in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are your thoughts on how the AI describes itself and how it has started having a sense of a soul at the beginning of the video?
  2. How about the app that lets you chat with what seems to be a girlfriend?
  3. Share your views about the possibility of AI gaining consciousness.
  4. What does David Chalmer mean when he said “subjective experience” instead of “consciousness”?
  5. What are the pros and cons of sentient AIs?

Smishing – The Latest Texting Scam

B2 – Upper Intermediate

All forms of scams are very rampant nowadays. It could be through phone calls, phone texts, social media messages, and so on. One of the latest scams is “smishing”. Everyone needs to be on the lookout for these schemes to avoid falling victim to them.

Read this article to learn about “smishing” and how to spot it.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/smishing-phone-scam_l_6554dd0be4b0998d699e5c0f

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “innocuous” mean? “In package smishing scams, the suspicious message can seem innocuous and read: “USPS: Since your package address does not have a house number, we are unable to arrange home delivery for you. Please update online,” the FTC shared as an example.” Give two synonyms and make a sentence with this word.
  2. Define “bogus”. “It is better to contact the company from their original website or phone number than to provide account information and login and password information from a bogus link.” Provide two synonyms and make a sentence with this word.
  3. What does “telltale”? “A ‘smishing’ message can seem like any other text message, but there are a few telltale signs that will warn you that something’s off.” Make a sentence with this phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is ‘smishing,’ and how does it differ from other forms of online scams?
  2. How can individuals identify potential ‘smishing’ attempts and distinguish them from legitimate messages?
  3. In what ways can raising awareness about ‘smishing’ and educating the public contribute to reducing the success of these scams?
  4. What measures do you currently take to protect yourself from phishing attempts or scams via text messages?
  5. Have you or anyone you know fallen victim to a text message scam and what was the outcome?

Laser Pointer Incidents on the Rise

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Laser pointers are typically used in business and school presentations. It is a pointing device that makes it easier for the audience to follow what the speaker is discussing.

Unfortunately, some people tend to use it for other purposes that could be fatal to a lot of people travelling by plane.

Let’s read the article and know more about the threats this kind of incidents pose to planes.

https://www.english-online.at/news-articles/technology/laser-pointer-incidents-on-the-rise.htm

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does the word “shine into” mean? “In February, a Virgin Atlantic flight to New York JFK had to return to London Heathrow because a laser light had been shone into the cockpit.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  2. What does “to target a particular person or thing” mean? “Pope Franciscus’ flight from Cuba to Mexico was targeted by a laser beamer during landing.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.
  3. What does the phrasal verb “carry something out” mean? “Most attacks are carried out by young men or boys, who are often not aware of the dangers of laser instruments.” Use it in a sentence and give two synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. How does laser pointing affect aviation safety?
  3. Given the possible danger laser pointing pose to aircrafts, do you think the selling of this item should be strictly regulated?
  4. What might be airline measures for pilots to reduce the severity of this incident?
  5. How can these incidents be stopped?
  6. Have you heard of laser pointing incidents involving aircrafts in your country? How did it end?
  7. Share your thoughts on this: “According to psychologists, playing around with guns and other weapons is something that typically attracts males.“.

Electric Roads Charge Cars as You Drive

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Buckle up for a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles, where the roads themselves are the charging stations. Imagine cruising along highways, not just as a driver, but as a participant in a dynamic energy exchange. The concept of electric roads is reshaping the landscape of sustainable transportation, offering a seamless and continuous charging experience as you journey from point A to B. In this electrifying revolution, the asphalt beneath your tires becomes a conduit for power, propelling us towards a greener and more efficient tomorrow.

Watch the video about electric roads and be able to answer questions that follow:

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What’s the meaning of the expression “take a spin”? “How about we take a spin on the newly upgraded highway with electric roads and experience the seamless charging as we drive?” Use it in a sentence
  2. What does the expression “give it a go” mean? “Curious about the future of electric cars? Why not give it a go and test drive on the electric roads to witness the revolutionary charging technology in action?” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What doe the phrase “tamper with” mean? “It’s crucial not to tamper with the delicate infrastructure of electric roads to ensure a smooth and safe charging experience for all drivers.” Make one sentence using the phrase.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do you think electric roads that charge cars while driving could revolutionize the convenience and practicality of electric vehicles?
  2. In your opinion, what potential impact could electric roads have on addressing the range anxiety often associated with traditional electric vehicles?
  3. From an environmental standpoint, how do you see electric roads contributing to a more sustainable future compared to traditional charging infrastructure?
  4. In your view, what are the key factors that might influence the public’s acceptance and adoption of electric roads as a mainstream technology for electric vehicles?

Put your Phone on Airplane Mode

B2 – Upper Intermediate

If you are a frequent flyer, you have probably heard the cabin crew’s announcement to switch off your mobile phone or atleast put it on airplane mode for the duration of the flight. They expect the passengers to follow this rule without necessarily providing ample details for doing so.

Watch the video and be informed as to why our mobile phones should be on airplane mode when we are flying.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is the meaning of the word “interference” in this context? “At least your special eyes would be able to see this if the sky wasn’t flooded with interference from routers, satellites, and of course, people flying who haven’t put their phones on airplane mode.” Use it in your own sentence.
  2. Define the phrasal verb “drown out“. “Since planes travel so quickly, the phones might find themselves much closer to a cell tower than expected; blasting it with a massive signal that drowns out those on the ground.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  3. What does the phrasal verb “blot out” mean? “This leads consumers to pay for more bandwidth, pushing service providers to take over more of the radio spectrum, and eventually, send more satellites into the sky — creating a vicious cycle that could eventually blot out the stars.” Use this phrase in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What are the benefits of putting your phone on airplane mode when you are on a plane?
  2. What are the dangers of not putting your phone on airplane mode?
  3. Do you think airline companies should stop offering wi-fi connection on a plane? Why or why not?
  4. Do you put your phone on airplane mode every time you fly? Are there other situations where you do the same?

Should We Fear Chatbots

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Chatbots have become more and more popular these days. We encounter a lot of chatbots when we do certain transactions on the internet. However, there is this existing fear that chatbots might surpass the level of information stored in human brains.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript to learn more about chatbots.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2023/ep-230706

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “on guard” mean? “…we need to be on guard against that because what’s coming out of ChatGPT is none of that.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What is a “sentient entity“? “You can provoke it to say things that sound like what a sentient entity would say.” Make a sentence with this phrase.
  3. Define “primed“. “We are really primed to imagine a mind behind language whenever we encounter language.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What do you think of chatbots?
  2. In your opinion, are chatbots helpful? Why or why not?
  3. Should we fear chatbots? Why or why not?
  4. What are the potential reasons that people might be afraid of chatbots?
  5. What do you think are the pros and cons of using a chatbot?

Key Challenges to Make AI Safe

B2 – Upper Intermediate

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to create more impact in almost all aspects of our society, it is crucial to sit down and discuss how the technology can be regulated in order to ensure that we can safely make use of it. However, it seems this task isn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Read this article about the key challenges in making AI safe.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-65850668

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is a “school of thought”? “Artificial-intelligence experts generally follow one of two schools of thought – it will either improve our lives enormously or destroy us all.” Use this phrase in your own sentence.
  2. What does it mean when something “doesn’t sit (well) with/within”? “These technologies don’t sit within the boundaries of one country.” Use this idiom in your own sentence.
  3. Explain what the word “interim” mean. “She is drawing up an interim voluntary code for the sector, alongside the US, which could be ready within weeks.” Use this word in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Which among the key challenges to make AI safe mentioned in the article is the hardest one to address and why?
  2. Why do you think it is difficult to have international collaboration on AI?
  3. Do you agree that the public should be informed about the risks attached to each AI product? If so, how do we do that?
  4. Do you agree or disagree with this policy: “Companies that break its rules could be fined the greater of €30m or 6% of global annual turnover.”? Why or why not?
  5. What are some government regulations that we should have to mitigate the potential risks posed by AI products?
  6. AI “godfathers Geoffrey Hinton and Prof Yoshua Bengio warn that the technology has huge potential for harm. Do you believe them or not? Explain your point.