At a big tech show called CES, people saw some new things that are supposed to be smart. One thing is a pillow that stops you from snoring by moving your head. Another thing is a vacuum cleaner that knows how much dirt there is and sucks harder if it needs to. But some people are not sure if these things are really as smart as they say or if the companies are just trying to make them sound cool.
The problem is that no one agrees on what "smart" or AI really means. Companies want to say their things are smart so that more people will buy them. But in America, a group called the FTC told companies they can't lie about how smart their products are. It's hard for people who buy things and for people who write about them to know if something is really smart or just pretending.
Even though everyone is talking about smart things, some companies don't use the word "smart" a lot when they sell their stuff. There's a new thing called Rabbit's R1 that people really like, and it doesn't say "smart" everywhere. Samsung has a fridge that tells you what to cook, and it's smart, but do we really need our fridge to tell us what to eat? So, some people might not want to buy smart things for now.
Original news source: CES 2024: AI pillows and toothbrushes – is it all getting a bit silly? (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a list of vocabulary words from the article (e.g. snoring, vacuum cleaner, smart, AI, etc.). One person from each group will come to the front of the class and draw a picture to represent one of the words, while their group members try to guess the word. The group with the most correct guesses wins.
– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students create catchy headlines for the article. Encourage them to use vocabulary and phrases from the article. After a few minutes, have each group share their headline with the class and explain why they chose it.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the article. Set a timer for 2 minutes and have one student summarize the article to their partner as quickly as possible. After 2 minutes, have the pairs switch roles. Then, have them find a new partner and repeat the activity. Continue until students have had a chance to summarize the article to multiple partners.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have students think about the following question: "Do you think smart technology is useful or unnecessary?" Give them a minute to think individually, then have them discuss their thoughts with a partner. After a few minutes, ask a few pairs to share their opinions with the class.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, have students discuss and make predictions about the future of smart technology. They can consider questions such as: What new smart devices do you think will be invented? How do you think smart technology will impact our daily lives? After a few minutes, have each group share their predictions with the class.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
A pillow that stops you from snoring by moving your head.
People are not sure because there is no agreement on what "smart" or AI really means.
The FTC told companies they can't lie about how smart their products are.
It is hard because there is no clear definition of what "smart" means, and companies want to make their products sound cool so that more people will buy them.
No, not all companies use the word "smart" a lot when they sell their stuff. Some companies, like Rabbit's R1, don't use the word "smart" but people still like their products.
Rabbit's R1 is a new thing that people really like, but it doesn't say "smart" everywhere.
One example is a fridge from Samsung that tells you what to cook. Some people might not want their fridge to tell them what to eat.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
At a big tech show called CES, saw some new that are supposed to be . One thing is a pillow that stops you from snoring by moving your head. Another thing is a vacuum cleaner that knows how much dirt there is and sucks harder if it needs to. But some people are not sure if these things are really as smart as they say or if the companies are just trying to make them cool. The problem is that no one agrees on what "smart" or AI really means. Companies to say their things are smart so that more people will buy them. But in America, a group called the FTC companies they can't lie about how smart their products are. It's for people who buy things and for people who write about them to know if something is really smart or just . Even though everyone is talking about smart things, some companies don't use the "smart" a lot when they sell their . There's a new thing called Rabbit's R1 that people really like, and it doesn't say "smart" everywhere. has a fridge that tells you what to cook, and it's smart, but do we really our fridge to tell us what to eat? So, some people might not want to buy smart things for now.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a smart pillow and what does it do?
2. How would you feel if you had a vacuum cleaner that could suck harder when it needed to?
3. Do you think companies should be allowed to lie about how smart their products are? Why or why not?
4. Why do companies want to say their things are smart?
5. Do you think it's important for things to be smart? Why or why not?
6. What is Rabbit's R1 and why do people like it?
7. How do you feel about a fridge that tells you what to cook? Do you think it's necessary? Why or why not?
8. Do you think people should buy smart things? Why or why not?
9. How do you decide if something is really smart or just pretending?
10. Have you ever used a smart device? What was it and did you like it?
11. Do you think it's important for companies to use the word "smart" when selling their products? Why or why not?
12. How do you think technology will change in the future?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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