Sir Demis Hassabis, an AI innovator and recently-knighted millionaire, believes that instead of discouraging children from spending hours gaming, parents should encourage their creative use of technology. Sir Demis, the co-founder and CEO of Google’s DeepMind, grew up playing chess and video games, and he credits gaming for helping him become successful. He emphasizes the importance of nurturing the creative aspect of gaming, encouraging parents to help their children develop their skills and passions through gaming. In a rapidly changing world, Sir Demis believes that children need to be adaptable and embrace change.

Sir Demis, who was a child chess prodigy, designed and programmed a successful game called Theme Park in his teens before attending Cambridge University. After graduating, he founded a video games company, completed a PhD in neuroscience, and co-founded DeepMind in 2010, which was later acquired by Google. He recently received a knighthood for his contributions to AI and British life. Sir Demis believes that selling DeepMind to Google was the right decision, as the company had the necessary resources to take on the global challenges of AI.

While AI has raised concerns about deepfake videos and algorithm bias, Sir Demis believes that mitigating the risks of AI should be a global priority. He signed a statement at the AI safety summit, recognizing the need to address the potential risks of AI alongside other societal-scale risks. Sir Demis acknowledges the power of AI and its positive impact, which he believes is broader than nuclear power.

In conclusion, Sir Demis Hassabis encourages parents to support their children’s creative use of technology, including gaming. He believes that nurturing their passions and skills through gaming can help them succeed in a fast-changing world. Sir Demis, a prominent AI innovator, emphasizes the need to address the risks associated with AI and recognizes its potential positive impact.

Original news source: AI millionaire: ‘Video games can boost creativity’ (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Have students read the article individually and then write a summary of the key points in their own words. Afterward, have them share their summaries with a partner or in small groups and discuss any similarities or differences.

– Keyword Taboo
Instructions: Choose a few important keywords from the article (e.g., gaming, AI, technology) and write them on separate index cards. Divide the class into two teams. One person from each team will come to the front of the class and try to get their teammates to guess the keyword on the card without using the word itself or any derivatives. The team that guesses the most keywords correctly within a set time limit wins.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Have each group discuss their opinions on the topic of encouraging children’s creative use of technology. After the discussion, each group will create a poll with a few questions related to the topic. Then, have each group present their poll to the class, asking for their classmates’ opinions. Finally, tally the results and have a class discussion based on the findings.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Create a list of vocabulary words from the article and write them on separate index cards. Divide the class into teams. One person from each team will come to the front of the class and draw a picture to represent the word on their card. Their team members must guess the word based on the drawing. The team that guesses the most words correctly within a set time limit wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Have each group discuss the pros and cons of children spending hours gaming and the potential benefits and drawbacks of encouraging their creative use of technology. Each group should write down their points and then present their arguments to the class. Afterward, facilitate a class discussion where students can share their thoughts and opinions on the topic.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What does Sir Demis Hassabis believe parents should do regarding their children’s gaming habits?
2. How does Sir Demis credit gaming for his success?
3. According to the article, what does Sir Demis believe children need to be in a rapidly changing world?
4. What were some of Sir Demis’s accomplishments before co-founding DeepMind?
5. Why does Sir Demis believe selling DeepMind to Google was the right decision?
6. What are some concerns that have been raised about AI?
7. What statement did Sir Demis sign at the AI safety summit?
8. What does Sir Demis believe is the positive impact of AI?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Sir Demis Hassabis, an AI innovator and recently-knighted millionaire, believes that instead of discouraging children from (1)______ hours (2)______, parents should encourage their creative use of technology. Sir Demis, the co-founder and CEO of Google’s DeepMind, grew up playing (3)______ and video games, and he credits gaming for helping him become successful. He (4)______ the importance of nurturing the creative aspect of gaming, encouraging parents to help their children develop their skills and (5)______ through gaming. In a rapidly changing world, Sir Demis believes that (6)______ren need to be adaptable and embrace change.

Sir Demis, who was a child chess prodigy, designed and programmed a successful game called Theme Park in his teens before attending Cambridge University. After graduating, he founded a video (7)______ company, completed a PhD in neuroscience, and co-founded DeepMind in 2010, which was later acquired by Google. He recently received a (8)______ for his contributions to AI and British life. Sir Demis believes that selling (9)______ to Google was the right decision, as the (10)______ had the necessary resources to take on the global challenges of AI.

While AI has raised concerns about deepfake videos and (11)______ bias, Sir Demis believes that mitigating the risks of AI should be a global (12)______. He signed a statement at the AI safety summit, recognizing the need to address the potential risks of AI alongside other societal-scale risks. Sir Demis acknowledges the (13)______ of AI and its (14)______ impact, which he believes is broader than nuclear power.

In conclusion, Sir Demis Hassabis encourages (15)______ to support their children’s (16)______ use of technology, including gaming. He believes that nurturing their passions and skills through gaming can help them succeed in a fast-changing world. Sir Demis, a prominent AI innovator, emphasizes the need to address the risks associated with AI and recognizes its potential positive impact.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on parents encouraging their children to spend more time gaming?
2. How would you feel if you were told that gaming could help you become successful?
3. Do you think that gaming can develop important skills and passions in children? Why or why not?
4. What is a creative use of technology, in your opinion?
5. How do you think gaming can help children adapt to a rapidly changing world?
6. What are some potential risks of AI that you think should be addressed?
7. Do you believe that AI has a positive impact on society? Why or why not?
8. How do you think AI compares to nuclear power in terms of its impact?
9. What are some other societal-scale risks that should be addressed alongside AI?
10. How do you think parents can support their children’s creative use of technology, besides gaming?
11. Why do you think Sir Demis Hassabis believes that selling DeepMind to Google was the right decision?
12. How do you think AI can be used to mitigate the risks associated with deepfake videos and algorithm bias?
13. Do you think that AI should be a global priority? Why or why not?
14. What role do you think AI will play in the future of society?
15. How do you think AI will impact our daily lives in the next decade?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. innovator
2. knighted
3. nurturing
4. prodigy
5. passions
6. adaptable
7. acknowledges
8. mitigating
9. deepfake
10. bias
11. global
12. societal-scale
13. potential
14. emphasizes
15. acquired

Meanings:
(A) Recognizes or admits the existence or truth of something
(B) Strong and barely controllable emotions or interests
(C) Making something less severe, serious, or painful
(D) Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future
(E) Relating to the whole world; worldwide
(F) Able to adjust to new conditions or environments
(G) A person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products
(H) A young person endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities
(I) Providing care and encouragement for growth or development
(J) Gained possession of something as a result of payment or effort
(K) Prejudice in favor or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair
(L) Affecting or involving the whole structure of society
(M) Synthetic media that combines and manipulates existing materials to create realistic images or sounds that appear to be genuine
(N) Gives special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing
(O) Formally conferred with a title of honor as recognition for achievements
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is Sir Demis Hassabis’ role at Google’s DeepMind?
(a) Co-founder and CEO
(b) Chief Technology Officer
(c) Head of Research
(d) Senior Software Engineer

2. How did Sir Demis Hassabis become successful?
(a) By studying neuroscience
(b) By founding a video games company
(c) By playing chess and video games
(d) By acquiring DeepMind

3. What did Sir Demis Hassabis receive a knighthood for?
(a) His success in the video games industry
(b) His contributions to AI and British life
(c) His research in neuroscience
(d) His role as CEO of DeepMind

4. What does Sir Demis Hassabis believe is the right decision regarding DeepMind?
(a) Keeping it as an independent company
(b) Shutting it down
(c) Expanding it globally
(d) Selling it to Google

5. What concerns has AI raised according to Sir Demis Hassabis?
(a) Cybersecurity threats
(b) Data privacy issues
(c) Lack of job opportunities
(d) Deepfake videos and algorithm bias

6. What did Sir Demis Hassabis sign at the AI safety summit?
(a) A statement recognizing the need to address the risks of AI
(b) A contract with Google
(c) A partnership agreement with another AI company
(d) A petition to ban AI technology

7. How does Sir Demis Hassabis describe the positive impact of AI?
(a) Limited to the field of healthcare
(b) Limited to the field of robotics
(c) Broader than nuclear power
(d) Broader than any other technology

8. What does Sir Demis Hassabis believe children need to be in a fast-changing world?
(a) Resistant to change and traditional
(b) Adaptable and embrace change
(c) Focused on traditional education
(d) Uninterested in technology

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Sir Demis believes that children need to be stubborn and resist change in a rapidly changing world.
2. Sir Demis credits gaming for helping him become successful in his career.
3. Sir Demis disregards the importance of nurturing the creative aspect of gaming.
4. Sir Demis signed a statement recognizing the need to address the risks of AI and its potential positive impact.
5. Sir Demis designed and programmed a failed game called Theme Park in his teens.
6. Sir Demis Hassabis believes that parents should encourage their children’s creative use of technology, including gaming.
7. Sir Demis believes that selling DeepMind to Google was the wrong decision, as it lacked the necessary resources for the challenges of AI.
8. Sir Demis founded a video games company, completed a PhD in neuroscience, and co-founded DeepMind.
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 Sir Demis Hassabis, what should parents do regarding their children’s gaming habits?
2. How did gaming contribute to Sir Demis Hassabis’ success?
3. What are some of Sir Demis Hassabis’ accomplishments and contributions to AI?
4. What concerns does Sir Demis Hassabis have about AI?
5. How does Sir Demis Hassabis believe that AI can have a positive impact on society?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What does Sir Demis Hassabis believe parents should do regarding their children’s gaming habits?
Sir Demis believes that parents should encourage their children’s creative use of technology, including gaming.

2. How does Sir Demis credit gaming for his success?
Sir Demis credits gaming for helping him become successful by nurturing his skills and passions.

3. According to the article, what does Sir Demis believe children need to be in a rapidly changing world?
Sir Demis believes that children need to be adaptable and embrace change in a rapidly changing world.

4. What were some of Sir Demis’s accomplishments before co-founding DeepMind?
Before co-founding DeepMind, Sir Demis designed and programmed a successful game called Theme Park, completed a PhD in neuroscience, and founded a video games company.

5. Why does Sir Demis believe selling DeepMind to Google was the right decision?
Sir Demis believes that selling DeepMind to Google was the right decision because Google had the necessary resources to take on the global challenges of AI.

6. What are some concerns that have been raised about AI?
Some concerns raised about AI include deepfake videos and algorithm bias.

7. What statement did Sir Demis sign at the AI safety summit?
Sir Demis signed a statement at the AI safety summit recognizing the need to address the potential risks of AI alongside other societal-scale risks.

8. What does Sir Demis believe is the positive impact of AI?
Sir Demis believes that the positive impact of AI is broader than nuclear power.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) spending
(2) gaming
(3) chess
(4) emphasizes
(5) passions
(6) child
(7) games
(8) knighthood
(9) DeepMind
(10) company
(11) algorithm
(12) priority
(13) power
(14) positive
(15) parents
(16) creative
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. innovator
Answer: (G) A person who introduces new methods, ideas, or products

2. knighted
Answer: (O) Formally conferred with a title of honor as recognition for achievements

3. nurturing
Answer: (I) Providing care and encouragement for growth or development

4. prodigy
Answer: (H) A young person endowed with exceptional qualities or abilities

5. passions
Answer: (B) Strong and barely controllable emotions or interests

6. adaptable
Answer: (F) Able to adjust to new conditions or environments

7. acknowledges
Answer: (A) Recognizes or admits the existence or truth of something

8. mitigating
Answer: (C) Making something less severe, serious, or painful

9. deepfake
Answer: (M) Synthetic media that combines and manipulates existing materials to create realistic images or sounds that appear to be genuine

10. bias
Answer: (K) Prejudice in favor or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a way considered to be unfair

11. global
Answer: (E) Relating to the whole world; worldwide

12. societal-scale
Answer: (L) Affecting or involving the whole structure of society

13. potential
Answer: (D) Having or showing the capacity to develop into something in the future

14. emphasizes
Answer: (N) Gives special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing

15. acquired
Answer: (J) Gained possession of something as a result of payment or effort
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is Sir Demis Hassabis’ role at Google’s DeepMind?
Answer: (a) Co-founder and CEO

2. How did Sir Demis Hassabis become successful?
Answer: (c) By playing chess and video games

3. What did Sir Demis Hassabis receive a knighthood for?
Answer: (b) His contributions to AI and British life

4. What does Sir Demis Hassabis believe is the right decision regarding DeepMind?
Answer: (d) Selling it to Google

5. What concerns has AI raised according to Sir Demis Hassabis?
Answer: (d) Deepfake videos and algorithm bias

6. What did Sir Demis Hassabis sign at the AI safety summit?
Answer: (a) A statement recognizing the need to address the risks of AI

7. How does Sir Demis Hassabis describe the positive impact of AI?
Answer: (c) Broader than nuclear power

8. What does Sir Demis Hassabis believe children need to be in a fast-changing world?
Answer: (b) Adaptable and embrace change
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Sir Demis believes that children need to be stubborn and resist change in a rapidly changing world. (Answer: False)
2. Sir Demis credits gaming for helping him become successful in his career. (Answer: True)
3. Sir Demis disregards the importance of nurturing the creative aspect of gaming. (Answer: False)
4. Sir Demis signed a statement recognizing the need to address the risks of AI and its potential positive impact. (Answer: True)
5. Sir Demis designed and programmed a failed game called Theme Park in his teens. (Answer: False)
6. Sir Demis Hassabis believes that parents should encourage their children’s creative use of technology, including gaming. (Answer: True)
7. Sir Demis believes that selling DeepMind to Google was the wrong decision, as it lacked the necessary resources for the challenges of AI. (Answer: False)
8. Sir Demis founded a video games company, completed a PhD in neuroscience, and co-founded DeepMind. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧