Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the development of new chatbots for its Messenger service. These chatbots will have “personality” and specialize in specific subjects such as holidays or cooking advice. This announcement is part of a competition among tech companies to create more accurate and personalized artificial intelligence. However, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has acknowledged that the chatbots still have limitations.

During Meta’s first in-person event since the pandemic, Zuckerberg described it as an “amazing year for AI.” The main chatbot, called “Meta AI,” can be used for messaging and answering questions. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner have also signed up to lend their personalities to different chatbots. The goal is to create chatbots that not only answer queries but also provide entertainment.

Zuckerberg emphasized that there are still limitations to what the chatbots can answer. The rollout of these chatbots will begin in the coming days, initially only in the US. In addition to the chatbot announcement, Zuckerberg also discussed the concept of the metaverse, a virtual world that Meta has invested billions of dollars in. Meta’s new virtual reality headset, Quest 3, was also unveiled during the event, with forward-facing cameras allowing for augmented reality.

Despite Meta’s investments in the metaverse and virtual reality, the VR division has suffered losses of $21 billion since the start of 2022. The Quest 3 headset will be available from October 10th. This announcement from Meta coincided with OpenAI, a Microsoft-backed company, announcing that its chatbot can now browse the internet for current information. Previously, the chatbot was only trained using data up to September 2021.

In conclusion, Meta has announced the development of chatbots with “personality” for its Messenger service. These chatbots will specialize in specific subjects and aim to provide both answers and entertainment. However, there are still limitations to what the chatbots can do. Meta also discussed its investments in the metaverse and unveiled its new virtual reality headset, Quest 3. Despite losses in the VR division, Meta remains committed to its vision of the metaverse.

Original news source: Meta announces AI chatbots with ‘personality’ (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will create catchy headlines that summarize the main points of the article. They can use puns, wordplay, or creative language to make their headlines engaging and informative. Afterward, each group can share their headlines with the class and discuss why they chose them.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into teams. Provide each team with a list of vocabulary words from the article. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and have one minute to draw and convey the meaning of a word to their teammates, who must guess the word. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins the game.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Students will work individually or in pairs to create a list of pros and cons related to the development of chatbots and the metaverse. They can consider factors such as convenience, privacy concerns, job displacement, and potential benefits. Afterward, students can share and discuss their lists with the class, exploring different perspectives and opinions.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a set amount of time (e.g., 1 minute) to summarize the main points of the article to each other. After the time is up, partners will switch roles and summarize again. Repeat this process several times, gradually reducing the time allowed for summarizing. This activity will challenge students to quickly and succinctly convey the key information from the article.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss and make predictions about the future of chatbots and the metaverse. They can consider potential advancements, challenges, and societal impacts. Afterward, each group can share their predictions with the class and engage in a discussion about the possibilities and implications of these technologies.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the purpose of Meta’s new chatbots for its Messenger service?
2. How does Meta plan to make the chatbots more accurate and personalized?
3. Who are some celebrities that have lent their personalities to Meta’s chatbots?
4. What limitations did Mark Zuckerberg acknowledge about the chatbots?
5. When will the rollout of the chatbots begin and in which country?
6. What is the metaverse and how has Meta invested in it?
7. What is the name of Meta’s new virtual reality headset and when will it be available?
8. Despite losses in the VR division, what is Meta’s commitment to its vision of the metaverse?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced the development of new (1)______ for its Messenger service. These chatbots will have “personality” and specialize in (2)______ subjects such as holidays or cooking advice. This (3)______ is part of a competition among tech (4)______ to create more accurate and personalized artificial intelligence. However, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has acknowledged that the chatbots still have limitations.

During Meta’s first in-person event since the pandemic, Zuckerberg described it as an “amazing year for AI.” The main (5)______, called “Meta AI,” can be used for messaging and (6)______ing (7)______. Celebrities like (8)______ Dogg and Kendall Jenner have also signed up to lend their personalities to different chatbots. The goal is to create chatbots that not only answer queries but also provide entertainment.

Zuckerberg emphasized that there are still limitations to what the chatbots can answer. The rollout of these chatbots will begin in the coming days, initially only in the US. In addition to the chatbot announcement, Zuckerberg also discussed the concept of the metaverse, a (9)______ world that Meta has invested (10)______ of dollars in. Meta’s new virtual reality (11)______, Quest 3, was also unveiled during the event, with forward-facing cameras allowing for augmented reality.

Despite Meta’s investments in the metaverse and virtual reality, the VR (12)______ has suffered losses of $21 billion since the start of 2022. The Quest 3 headset will be available from October 10th. This announcement from Meta coincided with OpenAI, a Microsoft-backed company, announcing that its chatbot can now browse the internet for current information. Previously, the chatbot was only trained using data up to (13)______ 2021.

In conclusion, Meta has announced the development of chatbots with “personality” for its Messenger service. These chatbots will specialize in specific subjects and aim to provide both answers and entertainment. However, there are still limitations to what the chatbots can do. Meta also discussed its (14)______ in the (15)______ and unveiled its new virtual reality headset, Quest 3. Despite (16)______ in the VR division, Meta remains committed to its vision of the metaverse.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a chatbot and how do you think it can be useful in everyday life?
2. How would you feel if you could have a chatbot that could answer any question you had?
3. Do you think chatbots with “personality” would make conversations more enjoyable? Why or why not?
4. What subjects would you like to see chatbots specialize in, and why?
5. How do you think chatbots could be used to enhance the customer service experience?
6. Do you like the idea of celebrities lending their personalities to chatbots? Why or why not?
7. How do you think chatbots could be used to provide entertainment?
8. Do you think there should be limitations on what chatbots can answer? Why or why not?
9. How do you think chatbots could be used in education or learning?
10. Have you ever used a chatbot before? If so, what was your experience like?
11. How do you think the development of chatbots will impact human interaction and communication?
12. Do you think chatbots will eventually replace human customer service representatives? Why or why not?
13. How do you think the concept of the metaverse will change the way we interact with technology?
14. Have you ever used virtual reality or augmented reality? If so, what was your experience like?
15. Do you think the investment in the metaverse and virtual reality is worth the financial losses? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. chatbots
2. Meta
3. personality
4. limitations
5. virtual reality
6. Quest 3
7. entertainment
8. metaverse

Meanings:
(a) Distinctive characteristics or traits
(b) Providing amusement or enjoyment
(c) The name of Meta’s new virtual reality headset
(d) The parent company of Facebook
(e) A virtual world that Meta has invested in
(f) Restrictions or boundaries
(g) Artificial intelligence programs that can communicate with users
(h) A simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the main purpose of Meta’s new chatbots?
(a) To browse the internet for current information
(b) To provide accurate and personalized artificial intelligence
(c) To create a virtual reality headset
(d) To invest in the metaverse

2. Who has signed up to lend their personalities to Meta’s chatbots?
(a) Tech companies competing in the AI industry
(b) Microsoft-backed companies
(c) Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner
(d) Meta employees

3. What limitations do the chatbots still have?
(a) The ability to browse the internet
(b) The ability to provide entertainment
(c) The ability to invest in the metaverse
(d) The ability to answer certain questions

4. When will the rollout of Meta’s chatbots begin?
(a) In October 2022
(b) In the coming days
(c) In 2023
(d) In the US only

5. What is the metaverse?
(a) Meta’s new virtual reality headset
(b) A competition among tech companies
(c) A concept developed by Microsoft-backed companies
(d) A virtual world that Meta has invested in

6. How much money has Meta’s VR division lost since the start of 2022?
(a) $21 billion
(b) $1 billion
(c) $10 billion
(d) $100 billion

7. When will Meta’s new virtual reality headset, Quest 3, be available?
(a) From October 10th
(b) From September 2021
(c) From the start of 2022
(d) From the start of 2023

8. What did OpenAI announce about its chatbot?
(a) It can now provide entertainment
(b) It can now invest in the metaverse
(c) It can now browse the internet for current information
(d) It can now answer all questions accurately

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has acknowledged that the chatbots have limitations.
2. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is developing new chatbots for its Messenger service.
3. The main chatbot, called “Meta AI,” cannot be used for messaging and answering questions.
4. The chatbots will not have “personality” and specialize in specific subjects.
5. The rollout of the chatbots will begin in the coming days, initially only in the US.
6. Meta’s first in-person event since the pandemic described it as an “amazing year for AI.”
7. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner have not signed up to lend their personalities to different chatbots.
8. Meta’s new virtual reality headset, Quest 3, was not unveiled during the event, with forward-facing cameras allowing for augmented reality.
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. What is the purpose of Meta’s new chatbots for its Messenger service?
2. Who are some celebrities that have signed up to lend their personalities to the chatbots?
3. What are the limitations of the chatbots that Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged?
4. When will the rollout of the chatbots begin and in which country?
5. What other announcements did Meta make during its event, besides the chatbot development?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The purpose of Meta’s new chatbots for its Messenger service is to provide both answers and entertainment.
2. Meta plans to make the chatbots more accurate and personalized by giving them “personality” and specializing them in specific subjects.
3. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner have lent their personalities to Meta’s chatbots.
4. Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged that the chatbots still have limitations in terms of what they can answer.
5. The rollout of the chatbots will begin in the coming days, initially only in the US.
6. The metaverse is a virtual world, and Meta has invested billions of dollars in it. They aim to create a virtual reality experience that connects people across different platforms and devices.
7. Meta’s new virtual reality headset is called Quest 3, and it will be available from October 10th.
8. Despite losses in the VR division, Meta remains committed to its vision of the metaverse and continues to invest in it.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) chatbots
(2) specific
(3) announcement
(4) companies
(5) chatbot
(6) answer
(7) questions
(8) Snoop
(9) virtual
(10) billions
(11) headset
(12) division
(13) September
(14) investments
(15) metaverse
(16) losses
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. chatbots
Answer: (g) Artificial intelligence programs that can communicate with users

2. Meta
Answer: (d) The parent company of Facebook

3. personality
Answer: (a) Distinctive characteristics or traits

4. limitations
Answer: (f) Restrictions or boundaries

5. virtual reality
Answer: (h) A simulated experience that can be similar to or completely different from the real world

6. Quest 3
Answer: (c) The name of Meta’s new virtual reality headset

7. entertainment
Answer: (b) Providing amusement or enjoyment

8. metaverse
Answer: (e) A virtual world that Meta has invested in
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the main purpose of Meta’s new chatbots?
Answer: (b) To provide accurate and personalized artificial intelligence

2. Who has signed up to lend their personalities to Meta’s chatbots?
Answer: (c) Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner

3. What limitations do the chatbots still have?
Answer: (d) The ability to answer certain questions

4. When will the rollout of Meta’s chatbots begin?
Answer: (b) In the coming days

5. What is the metaverse?
Answer: (d) A virtual world that Meta has invested in

6. How much money has Meta’s VR division lost since the start of 2022?
Answer: (a) $21 billion

7. When will Meta’s new virtual reality headset, Quest 3, be available?
Answer: (a) From October 10th

8. What did OpenAI announce about its chatbot?
Answer: (c) It can now browse the internet for current information
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, has acknowledged that the chatbots have limitations. (Answer: True)
2. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is developing new chatbots for its Messenger service. (Answer: True)
3. The main chatbot, called “Meta AI,” cannot be used for messaging and answering questions. (Answer: False)
4. The chatbots will not have “personality” and specialize in specific subjects. (Answer: False)
5. The rollout of the chatbots will begin in the coming days, initially only in the US. (Answer: True)
6. Meta’s first in-person event since the pandemic described it as an “amazing year for AI.” (Answer: True)
7. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner have not signed up to lend their personalities to different chatbots. (Answer: False)
8. Meta’s new virtual reality headset, Quest 3, was not unveiled during the event, with forward-facing cameras allowing for augmented reality. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧