Listen&Learn: Artificial intelligence

Posted by: Jaksyn Peacock
Learn about the types of intelligent computers.

Pre-listening vocabulary

  • artificial: made by humans; not natural
  • digital: relating to computers
  • streaming platform: an internet service that provides movies, music, or TV shows
  • recommend: to suggest something that a person might enjoy or find useful
  • researcher: someone who studies or experiments with something

Listening activity

Gapfill exercise

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is any type of that can learn how to do tasks on its own. Artificial intelligence is starting to become very in everyday life. Phones and tablets often come with digital assistants. Streaming platforms use AI to recommend content to their users. The type of AI we have today is called narrow AI, which means it can only perform very specific tasks. Researchers are trying to create something called general AI, which would be able to think and learn like a human. But many scientists are concerned about the of AI. An extremely intelligent computer would be very good at accomplishing its , but it might not care very much about human life.

Comprehension questions

1. The type of AI we have today is called

Correct! Wrong!

The type of AI we have today is called narrow AI.

2. General AI would be able to

Correct! Wrong!

General AI would be able to think like a human.

3. Some scientists are concerned about AI because

Correct! Wrong!

Some scientists are concerned about AI because it might not care about human life.

Discussion/essay questions

  1. AI has many benefits for humans, but it could also be very dangerous for our future. What are some of the pros and cons of creating an advanced AI?
  2. Do you think scientists should continue to develop AI? Why or why not?

Transcript

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is any type of computer that can learn how to do tasks on its own. Artificial intelligence is starting to become very common in everyday life. Phones and tablets often come with intelligent digital assistants. Streaming platforms use AI to recommend content to their users. The type of AI we have today is called narrow AI, which means it can only perform very specific tasks. Researchers are trying to create something called general AI, which would be able to think and learn like a human. But many scientists are concerned about the future of AI. An extremely intelligent computer would be very good at accomplishing its goals, but it might not care very much about human life. 

Written and recorded by Jaksyn Peacock for EnglishClub
© EnglishClub.com

Search for more Listen&Learn stories:

Subscribe to EnglishClub Podcasts RSS Feed

18 comments

Leave a comment