Tag: technology

Neurorights

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.

Neurorights: Do our brains need to be protected by legislation?

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?

What OpenAI’s New Image Generator Means for Our Future

B2 – Upper Intermediate

OpenAI’s new image generator is getting a lot of attention because it can create very realistic images based on what people ask for. This tool could change the way we create art, design, and media. It gives people more ways to be creative, but it also brings up some serious concerns.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “tweak” mean? “There has been an improvement in the quality of the image and it becomes conversational so you can tweak and make adjustments.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the word in your own sentence.
  2. What does the phrase “to scream at the top of the mountain” mean? “I’ve been screaming at the top of the mountain that AI is here to stay and it’s not going anywhere and can’t be eliminated at this point.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the phrase in your own sentence.
  3. What does the phrase “too good to be true” mean? “If an AI image is too good to be true, it’s more likely not true.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use the phrase in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI-generated images should be considered original art? Why or why not?
  2. Should there be limits on how people can use image generators like OpenAI’s?
  3. In your view, does this technology do more good or harm for society?
  4. How might AI image generation affect jobs in creative fields like illustration, design, and photography?
  5. How can we make sure AI image generators are used ethically and not for spreading fake or harmful content?

World’s First Artist Robot

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?

The Robots Are Coming for Your Job Sooner Than You Think

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?

Fake Videos about Santorini Volcanic Eruption

B1 – Intermediate 

Santorini in Greece is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. 

Some fake videos has become viral on social media showing a volcanic eruption. But they were later on identified as AI-made.

In another video, it shows an island with what appears to be smoke. This one was not actually AI-made, but it is actually from an eruption in New Zealand in 2019. They only put the wrong caption for it.

Some believe Turkey is responsible for this misinformation so the fake news could negatively affect the tourism in Santorini.

Listen to this audio and read the transcript about Santorini being targeted by fake viral videos on social media.

https://www.newsinlevels.com/products/fake-videos-about-santorini-eruption-level-3

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “mislead” mean? “They have gained thousands of views on TikTok and X, misleading many people.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ’mislead’ in your own sentence.
  2. What does “distort” mean? “Another video of people running in fear has distorted figures, proving it was AI-made.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ’distort’ in your own sentence.
  3. What does “in place” mean? “A state of emergency is in place until March, and thousands have left the island.” Use this phrase in a sentence and give 2 synonyms.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction to this news?
  2. How could these fake videos and misinformation affect Santorini, especially their tourism?
  3. What is your opinion about this, “Rumors claim Turkey is behind the misinformation. Allegedly Turkey wants to hurt Santorini’s tourism, but there is no evidence.”?
  4. How serious is the problem with misinformation? Talk about it.
  5. Give other examples of misinformation on social media or the internet that have affected any city in your country or your country itself. And how was that situation handled by the government?
  6. How can we protect ourselves from misinformation?

AI Grandma Fights Back Against Scammers


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.“.

DeepSeek

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Companies in the tech sector are investing billions of dollars to stay ahead of the AI revolution. Nevertheless, a Chinese startup company that was established with relatively little funding appears to have stunned the market by being competent and even outperforming ChatGPT.

To learn more about Deep Seek, watch the video below.

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “to spin out of a hedge fund” mean? “DeepSeek is a Chinese AI startup that was formed in 2023 and spun out of a hedge fund.” Use it in a sentence.
  2. What does “sidestep” mean? “Just don’t ask it about Chinese politics. It’s reasoning is align with that of Beijing’s sensors, meaning, some questions are politely sidestepped.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘sidestep’ in your own sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “over the edge“? “ DeepSeek can be used uncensored on it’s platform but what really sent investors over the edge is that DeepSeek was able to build this model and train it at just a fraction of the cost.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘over the edge’ in your own sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Have you heard anything about DeepSeek? What is your initial reaction to the Chinese startup AI company?
  2. How do you think DeepSeek questions the narrative of US tech giants supremacy, who have claimed supremacy in the AI race?
  3. Why was DeepSeek better than other popular models, such as open AIS, and other benchmarks?
  4. What made it possible to create such a proficient app with just a fraction of funding compared to other competitors with billions or even predicted trillions of dollars in funding?
  5. What are your thoughts on this statement: “I think that the US has spent a long time underestimating China. China’s tech sector is actually very capable of innovating and creating these very powerful and very advanced products, and I think that Silicon Valley’s presumed lead that they have over China, I don’t think they should take that for granted.“

AI Brad Pitt Dupes French Woman

B2 – Upper Intermediate 

One of the uses of technology that has emerged is for meeting someone new or potentially, finding love online.

Unfortunately, many fall victim to love scams that have become so prevalent all over the internet, leaving their victims to hang out dry.

A French woman was conned by people who purported as Brad Pitt and other individuals that were supposedly connected to the Hollywood actor. 

By the end of it, she was conned out of €830,000 which left her not only so heartbroken, but also broke.

Read the article about Anne who was duped by scammers using deepfakes and AI Brad Pitt.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgnz8rw1xgo

Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is does “come forward” mean? ”She has since told a popular French YouTube show that she was not “crazy or a moron”: “I just got played, I admit it, and that’s why I came forward, because I am not the only one.” Use this phrase in a sentence.
  2. What does “come to light” mean? “Hundreds of social media users mocked Anne, who the programme said had lost her life’s savings and tried to take her own life three times since the scam came to light.” Use this expression in a sentence.
  3. What does the idiom “set off alarm bells” mean? “Somebody purporting to be Pitt got in touch the next day, which set off alarm bells for Anne.” Use this expression in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is your reaction and opinion about what happened to Anne?
  2. What are your thoughts on this statement, “Life today is paved with cybertraps… and AI progress will only worsen this scenario.”
  3. What are ways to tell that something/a correspondence with somebody on the internet is a scam?
  4. Do you know a similar story about someone who got duped online? Tell that story.

Phones Are Designed to be Addicting

B2 – Upper Intermediate

It’s not just your willpower—phones are deliberately designed to be addictive. With features like infinite scrolling, push notifications, and personalized content, smartphones keep users engaged longer than they intend. Tech companies use psychological tricks to tap into our need for connection, rewards, and instant gratification, making it harder to put our devices down. As a result, many find themselves spending more time on their phones than they planned, raising concerns about the impact on mental health and well-being.

Watch the video and be able to answer the questions that follow.


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What is “push notification“? “When push notifications were first introduced for email on Blackberries in 2003, they were actually seen as a way for you to check your phone less.” Use the term in a sentence.
  2. What does “puppet master” mean here, “If Facebook sends you a push notification that a friend is interested in an event near you, they’re essentially acting like a puppet master, leveraging your desire for social connections so that you use the app more.” Make a sentence using this expression.
  3. What does “grab bag” mean? “But today, you can get notifications from any app on your phone. So every time you check it, you get a grab bag of notifications that can make you feel a broad variety of emotions.” Use the phrase in a sentence.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you believe smartphone companies intentionally design their devices to be addictive? Why or why not?
  2. What are your thoughts on how tech companies profit off of users’ attention?
  3. How has smartphone use impacted your ability to focus or be present in daily life?
  4. Should tech companies be held responsible for the addictive nature of their devices, or is it up to users to control their own habits?
  5. What steps can individuals and society take to reduce smartphone addiction without completely giving up technology?
  6. Share your thoughts on this statement, “Addiction is money.“

Fast Food Goes High Tech with New A.I. Drive-Thrus

B2 – Upper Intermediate

Fast food chains are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize the drive-thru experience. From voice-activated ordering systems to automated menu suggestions, AI-powered drive-thrus aim to speed up service, reduce errors, and enhance customer convenience. Wendy’s is investing in this technology, using machine learning and natural language processing to understand orders more accurately and personalize recommendations. While AI drive-thrus promise efficiency and innovation, they also raise some questions. As the fast food industry goes high-tech, AI is reshaping the way customers order their favorite meals.

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


Vocabulary Questions:

  1. What does “behind-the-scenes” mean”? “Wendy is now using AI to take your drive-thru orders. Let’s take a look at the behind-the-scenes of the new technology and put it to the test.” Make a sentence using this expression.
  2. What does the phrasal verb “step in” mean? “Ordering something not on the menu, that’s when human stepped in.” Use it in a sentence.
  3. What is the meaning of “driven by” in this sentence? “Using AI drive-thrus seems much faster, a new trend driven by technology.” Make a sentence using the phrase.


Discussion Questions:

  1. Do you think AI-powered drive-thrus will improve the customer experience, or will they make it less personal? Why?
  2. Should fast food companies prioritize speed and efficiency over human jobs when implementing AI technology? Share your insights.
  3. Would you feel comfortable ordering from an AI drive-thru, or do you prefer interacting with a human employee?
  4. What are the potential benefits and risks of using AI in fast food ordering systems?
  5. How can companies balance technological advancements with the need to maintain human jobs in the industry?