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The Internet and smartphones have changed the world and how we relate to each other. Instead of meeting in person, we increasingly interface through handheld devices. In a sense, real people are being removed, replaced by technology and virtual friends. Some people even say that they prefer to confide in their virtual friends rather than their real friends!
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AI, or artificial intelligence, is another technology that is highly disruptive. With AI, smartphone and other devices will have even more capabilities. They will be able to converse with us and tell us jokes. They may even become personal tutors, and replace our online human tutors. They will be able to do this because they will have access to our life histories. They will know what kind of problems we have, our preferences, and any content we want to learn or practice, they will be able to adapt to our needs and be available at any time. And all this will be at less cost than using a human.
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In fact, the substitution of AIs for human labor has the potential to transform our world. Experts warn that smart machines may cause widespread unemployment. Many workers will become redundant, replaced by machines that can perform cognitive tasks better than people. An even greater danger is that they will develop personalities and become more interesting than people. Work is already underway to produce AI companions for lonely people.
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Are these development something to worry about or something to welcome? How are they different than developments in the past, such as the industrial revolution? Cars replaced horses; machines and industrial robots replaced factory workers.
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Since the shift to AI is inevitable, the challenge for policy makers will be to help existing workers acquire new skills. Future generations must be prepared for a workplace populated by AIs that will continue to develop and take on new tasks. Are we up to the task?
Exercises:
1. This article is intended for people who are concerned about the future.
2. According to the writer, what is the challenge for the policy makers?
>> to prepare workers for a new type of workplace
3. A technology becomes disruptive when it creats a new market and displaces an existing one.
4. Something is redundant if it is no longer needed.
Please tap the first correct sentence to appear:
1. How will AIs know so much about us?
>> They will be able to do this because they will have access to our life histories.
2. How will AIs affect other technologies?
>> With AI, smartphone and other devices will have even more capabilities.
Fill in the blanks:
1. Future generations must be prepared for a workplace populated by AIs that will continue to develop and take on new tasks.
2. Experts warn that smart machines may cause widespread unemployment. Many workers will become redundant, replaced by machines that can perform cognitive tasks better than people. An even greater danger is that they will develop personalities and become more interesting than people. Work is already underway to produce AI companions for lonely people.
Put the sentences below in order:
(1) An even greater danger is that they will develop personalities and become more interesting than people.
(2) Many workers will become redundant, replaced by machines that can perform cognitive tasks better than people.
(3) Experts warn that smart machines may cause widespread unemployment.
(4) Work is already underway to produce AI companions for lonely people.
Correct Order: (3) (2) (1) (4)
Repeat & Read Sentences:
1. With AI, smartphone and other devices will have even more capabilities.
2. Experts warn that smart machines may cause widespread unemployment.
3. The use of AIs may cause widespread unemployment.
4. In fact, the substitution of AIs for human labor has the potential to transform our world.
5. Since the shift to AI is inevitable, the challenge for policy makers will be to help existing workers acquire new skills.
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