Hovhannes Avoyan, the founder of the popular picture and video editing app Picsart, recently shared his insights on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs. Avoyan, who is a former professor of AI from Armenia, believes that AI itself will not steal jobs, but rather it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment.

Picsart is an app that utilizes AI technology to enhance and edit photos and videos. It has achieved unicorn status, with a valuation of over $1 billion. Avoyan explains that AI is a tool that can greatly benefit industries and individuals, but it is ultimately up to the users to determine how it is used.

Avoyan reassures people that they should not fear AI technology. Instead, he encourages individuals to embrace it and learn how to use it effectively. He believes that AI can be a powerful tool for creativity and innovation, and that it can enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.

While AI has the potential to automate certain tasks and processes, Avoyan emphasizes that it is the responsibility of individuals to adapt and acquire new skills to stay relevant in the job market. He suggests that individuals should focus on developing skills that are uniquely human, such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, as these are areas where AI currently falls short.

In conclusion, Avoyan believes that AI is not a threat to jobs, but rather it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment. He encourages individuals to embrace AI technology and use it as a tool for creativity and innovation. However, he also emphasizes the importance of acquiring new skills and adapting to the changing job market to stay competitive.

Original news source: AI won’t steal your job, but people using it may’ (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Debate: Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. One group will argue the pros of AI technology and its impact on jobs, while the other group will argue the cons. Each group should come up with their strongest arguments and present them to the class. Afterwards, have a class discussion to explore different perspectives and reach a consensus.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Give students a few minutes to individually think about and write down their opinions on the impact of AI on jobs. Then, pair students up and have them share their thoughts with each other. Finally, facilitate a class discussion where students can share their partner’s opinions and discuss any similarities or differences.

– News Summary
Instructions: Provide students with a short extract from the article. In pairs or small groups, have them summarize the main points and present a news report to the class. This activity will help students practice their speaking and listening skills, as well as their ability to summarize information.

– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Create a line on the board with “Strongly Agree” on one end and “Strongly Disagree” on the other. Have students stand in the position on the line that represents their opinion on the impact of AI on jobs. Then, ask students to explain their reasoning and engage in a class discussion to explore different viewpoints.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine what the job market will look like in 10 or 20 years with the increasing use of AI technology. Have them write down their predictions and share them with a partner. Then, have students present their predictions to the class and discuss the likelihood and potential consequences of these predictions.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the founder of Picsart’s perspective on artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs?
2. How does Picsart utilize AI technology?
3. What is Avoyan’s advice to people regarding AI technology?
4. How does Avoyan believe AI can be a powerful tool?
5. What skills does Avoyan suggest individuals focus on developing to stay relevant in the job market?
6. According to Avoyan, who has the responsibility to adapt and acquire new skills in the face of AI technology?
7. What does Avoyan believe is the potential impact of AI on employment?
8. What is Avoyan’s overall message about AI and its relationship with jobs?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Hovhannes Avoyan, the founder of the popular (1)______ and video editing app (2)______, recently shared his (3)______ on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs. Avoyan, who is a former professor of AI from Armenia, believes that AI itself will not steal jobs, but rather it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment.

Picsart is an app that utilizes AI technology to enhance and edit (4)______ and videos. It has achieved unicorn status, with a valuation of over $1 billion. Avoyan (5)______ that AI is a tool that can greatly benefit industries and individuals, but it is ultimately up to the users to determine how it is used.

Avoyan reassures (6)______ that they should not fear AI technology. Instead, he encourages individuals to embrace it and learn how to use it effectively. He (7)______ that AI can be a (8)______ tool for creativity and innovation, and that it can enhance (9)______ capabilities rather than replace them.

While AI has the potential to (10)______ certain tasks and processes, Avoyan emphasizes that it is the responsibility of individuals to adapt and acquire new skills to stay relevant in the job market. He (11)______ that individuals should (12)______ on developing skills that are uniquely human, such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence, as these are areas where AI currently falls short.

In conclusion, (13)______ believes that AI is not a threat to jobs, but rather it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment. He encourages individuals to embrace AI technology and use it as a tool for (14)______ and innovation. However, he also emphasizes the (15)______ of acquiring new skills and adapting to the changing job market to stay (16)______.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on artificial intelligence and its impact on jobs?
2. How would you feel if your job was replaced by AI technology?
3. Do you think AI technology will enhance or hinder creativity and innovation? Why or why not?
4. What skills do you think are uniquely human and cannot be replaced by AI?
5. Have you personally experienced the impact of AI technology in your industry? If so, how has it affected your job?
6. Do you believe that individuals should be responsible for adapting and acquiring new skills to stay relevant in the job market? Why or why not?
7. How do you think AI technology can be effectively used to benefit industries and individuals?
8. What are some potential ethical concerns surrounding the use of AI technology?
9. Do you think AI technology will eventually replace the need for human workers altogether? Why or why not?
10. How do you think AI technology can be used to enhance human capabilities in the workplace?
11. What are some potential drawbacks or limitations of AI technology?
12. Have you personally used AI technology in your daily life? If so, how has it impacted your productivity or creativity?
13. Do you think the fear of AI technology taking over jobs is justified? Why or why not?
14. How do you think AI technology will continue to evolve and impact different industries in the future?
15. What steps do you think individuals should take to prepare for the increasing presence of AI technology in the job market?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. artificial
2. impact
3. unicorn
4. creativity
5. adapt
6. automate
7. insights
8. embrace
9. innovation
10. capabilities
11. reassures
12. enhance
13. responsibility
14. competitive
15. relevant

Meanings:
(A) Gives confidence to someone to remove doubts or fears
(B) Adjust or modify oneself to new conditions
(C) A startup company valued at over $1 billion
(D) The range of actions or tasks that someone or something can do
(E) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, typically as a copy of something natural
(F) To make certain processes operate automatically by using machines or computers
(G) The introduction of new things, ideas, or ways of doing something
(H) Understandings or interpretations gained from experience or study
(I) Having a strong desire to be more successful than others
(J) Closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered
(K) The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action on another
(L) The duty to deal with something or of having control over someone
(M) The use of imagination or original ideas to create something
(N) To accept or support willingly and enthusiastically
(O) To improve or augment something, especially its quality or value
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. According to Hovhannes Avoyan, who is responsible for the impact of AI on employment?
(a) The people who use AI
(b) AI technology itself
(c) The government
(d) The companies that develop AI

2. What is Picsart?
(a) A social media platform
(b) A unicorn company
(c) An AI technology company
(d) A picture and video editing app

3. How does Avoyan feel about AI technology?
(a) He believes it will replace human capabilities
(b) He thinks it is a threat to jobs
(c) He encourages people to embrace and learn how to use it effectively
(d) He suggests people should fear it

4. What skills does Avoyan suggest individuals focus on developing?
(a) Creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence
(b) Technical skills related to AI technology
(c) Physical strength and endurance
(d) Basic computer literacy

5. What does Avoyan believe is the potential of AI technology?
(a) It will replace all jobs
(b) It can enhance human capabilities
(c) It will eliminate the need for human creativity
(d) It will make humans obsolete

6. What does Avoyan believe individuals should do to stay relevant in the job market?
(a) Avoid using AI technology
(b) Adapt and acquire new skills
(c) Stick to their current skill set
(d) Rely on AI technology to find new job opportunities

7. What is Avoyan’s view on the impact of AI on jobs?
(a) AI will completely replace all jobs
(b) AI will have no impact on employment
(c) AI itself will not steal jobs, but it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment
(d) AI will only impact certain industries

8. What is Avoyan’s message about AI technology?
(a) It is a threat to jobs and should be avoided
(b) It is a tool that should only be used by experts
(c) It is a tool that will make humans obsolete
(d) It is a powerful tool for creativity and innovation

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The app has a valuation of over $1 billion, making it a unicorn company.
2. Avoyan doubts that AI itself will steal jobs.
3. Avoy struggles to see the importance of individuals adapting and acquiring new skills to stay relevant in the job market.
4. Picsart is a picture and video editing app that utilizes AI technology.
5. AI can be a powerful tool for creativity and innovation, according to Avoyan.
6. Avoyan discourages individuals from embracing AI technology and learning how to use it effectively.
7. Avoy recommends that individuals should focus on developing skills that are universally human.
8. Hovhannes Avoyan is the founder of the popular app Picsart.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. According to Hovhannes Avoyan, what is the impact of AI on jobs?
2. How does Avoyan believe AI can benefit industries and individuals?
3. What skills does Avoyan suggest individuals should focus on developing in order to stay relevant in the job market?
4. What does Avoyan believe is the responsibility of individuals when it comes to adapting to AI technology?
5. How does Avoyan view AI technology in relation to job security?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The founder of Picsart believes that AI itself will not steal jobs, but rather it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment.
2. Picsart utilizes AI technology to enhance and edit photos and videos.
3. Avoyan advises people to embrace AI technology and learn how to use it effectively.
4. Avoyan believes that AI can be a powerful tool for creativity and innovation.
5. Avoyan suggests individuals focus on developing skills that are uniquely human, such as creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence.
6. According to Avoyan, individuals have the responsibility to adapt and acquire new skills in the face of AI technology.
7. Avoyan believes that AI has the potential to automate certain tasks and processes, but it is up to individuals to adapt and stay relevant in the job market.
8. Avoyan’s overall message is that AI is not a threat to jobs, but rather it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment. He encourages individuals to embrace AI technology and use it as a tool for creativity and innovation, while also emphasizing the importance of acquiring new skills to stay competitive.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) picture
(2) Picsart
(3) insights
(4) photos
(5) explains
(6) people
(7) believes
(8) powerful
(9) human
(10) automate
(11) suggests
(12) focus
(13) Avoyan
(14) creativity
(15) importance
(16) competitive
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. artificial
Answer: (E) Made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, typically as a copy of something natural

2. impact
Answer: (K) The effect or influence of one person, thing, or action on another

3. unicorn
Answer: (C) A startup company valued at over $1 billion

4. creativity
Answer: (M) The use of imagination or original ideas to create something

5. adapt
Answer: (B) Adjust or modify oneself to new conditions

6. automate
Answer: (F) To make certain processes operate automatically by using machines or computers

7. insights
Answer: (H) Understandings or interpretations gained from experience or study

8. embrace
Answer: (N) To accept or support willingly and enthusiastically

9. innovation
Answer: (G) The introduction of new things, ideas, or ways of doing something

10. capabilities
Answer: (D) The range of actions or tasks that someone or something can do

11. reassures
Answer: (A) Gives confidence to someone to remove doubts or fears

12. enhance
Answer: (O) To improve or augment something, especially its quality or value

13. responsibility
Answer: (L) The duty to deal with something or of having control over someone

14. competitive
Answer: (I) Having a strong desire to be more successful than others

15. relevant
Answer: (J) Closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. According to Hovhannes Avoyan, who is responsible for the impact of AI on employment?
Answer: (a) The people who use AI

2. What is Picsart?
Answer: (d) A picture and video editing app

3. How does Avoyan feel about AI technology?
Answer: (c) He encourages people to embrace and learn how to use it effectively

4. What skills does Avoyan suggest individuals focus on developing?
Answer: (a) Creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence

5. What does Avoyan believe is the potential of AI technology?
Answer: (b) It can enhance human capabilities

6. What does Avoyan believe individuals should do to stay relevant in the job market?
Answer: (b) Adapt and acquire new skills

7. What is Avoyan’s view on the impact of AI on jobs?
Answer: (c) AI itself will not steal jobs, but it is the people who use AI that may have an impact on employment

8. What is Avoyan’s message about AI technology?
Answer: (d) It is a powerful tool for creativity and innovation
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The app has a valuation of over $1 billion, making it a unicorn company. (Answer: True)
2. Avoyan doubts that AI itself will steal jobs. (Answer: False)
3. Avoy struggles to see the importance of individuals adapting and acquiring new skills to stay relevant in the job market. (Answer: False)
4. Picsart is a picture and video editing app that utilizes AI technology. (Answer: True)
5. AI can be a powerful tool for creativity and innovation, according to Avoyan. (Answer: True)
6. Avoyan discourages individuals from embracing AI technology and learning how to use it effectively. (Answer: False)
7. Avoy recommends that individuals should focus on developing skills that are universally human. (Answer: False)
8. Hovhannes Avoyan is the founder of the popular app Picsart. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧