The practice of reading instruction manuals may soon become obsolete, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics. Many individuals tend to bypass user guides when acquiring new devices, with studies indicating that a significant portion of the population does not consult these manuals at all. For instance, a survey in the UK revealed that one in five people neglects to read the manual, while a report from the US suggested that this figure could be as high as 50%. Despite some individuals, like Caspar Herzberg, CEO of the UK industrial software company Aveva, expressing a fondness for instruction manuals, the reality is that many are simply discarded or left unread.

In industrial settings, however, the importance of understanding machinery and systems cannot be overstated. Engineers must possess a thorough knowledge of the equipment they manage, especially when urgent issues arise that require immediate resolution. To address this challenge, Aveva has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of reading and interpreting operating manuals on behalf of engineers. This AI has already memorized the technical manuals for power grids and wind turbines operated by Aveva’s parent company, Schneider Electric, and it continuously monitors machinery through an extensive network of sensors.

The AI system, referred to as the “industrial AI assistant,” aims to replicate the expertise of seasoned engineers who have accumulated years of practical experience. For example, when an engineer encounters a fault, the AI can identify the location of the issue, analyze a comprehensive manual, and generate potential solutions. It can even create a 3D visualization of the affected equipment, such as a turbine, which engineers find particularly helpful. This technology is especially valuable in light of the growing concern regarding an aging workforce, as many experienced engineers are retiring and taking their knowledge with them.

In addition to Aveva’s innovations, other companies are also leveraging AI to streamline the creation of user guides. For instance, California-based Dozuki has developed an AI-powered system called CreatorPro, which automatically generates user guides based on videos uploaded by engineers demonstrating a particular process. This system not only produces step-by-step instructions but can also translate the content into multiple languages. Although these AI-generated guides still require human approval, they represent a significant advancement in addressing the challenges posed by an aging workforce in the manufacturing sector.

Furthermore, Scribe, another technology firm, offers a solution that allows users to create AI-generated manuals based on their actions on a computer. By simply recording their workflow, users can generate comprehensive guides that include screenshots and detailed instructions. This automated process minimizes the need for manual documentation, making it easier for individuals to share knowledge within their organizations. Experts in workplace behavior, like UK business psychologist Stuart Duff, suggest that AI can serve as a valuable resource for engineers, offering quick access to essential information and enhancing overall efficiency in the workplace.

Original news source: Could reading instruction manuals become a thing of the past? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Have students take a stance on the statement: “Instruction manuals are essential for understanding new technology.” Students will move to one side of the room if they agree and the other side if they disagree. Afterward, they will discuss their opinions in small groups and share their thoughts with the class.

– WORD ASSOCIATION
Instructions: Write the words “instruction manual,” “AI,” “engineer,” and “technology” on the board. Students will take turns saying a word related to one of these terms. Encourage them to explain their associations and how they relate to the main themes of the article.

– NEWS SUMMARY
Instructions: Divide students into small groups and give each group a section of the article to summarize. After 10 minutes, each group will present their summary to the class, ensuring that they highlight the key points and main ideas.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Ask students to create an eye-catching headline for the article. They should consider the main themes and innovations discussed. After they come up with their headlines, students can share them with the class, and the class can vote on the most effective headline.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: Provide students with a large sheet of paper and markers. Have them create a mind map that visually represents the main ideas and innovations discussed in the article. They can include subtopics like AI, user guides, and the importance of engineers. Afterward, each group can present their mind map and explain their connections.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What trend is observed regarding people’s behavior towards reading instruction manuals for consumer electronics?
2. How does the AI system developed by Aveva assist engineers in managing machinery?
3. What specific capabilities does the “industrial AI assistant” possess when dealing with equipment faults?
4. What challenges does the aging workforce present in the engineering field, according to the article?
5. How does Dozuki’s CreatorPro system contribute to the creation of user guides?
6. In what way does Scribe’s technology facilitate knowledge sharing within organizations?
7. What benefits do experts suggest AI can provide to engineers in the workplace?
8. How does the article illustrate the contrast between consumer electronics and industrial settings regarding the use of instruction manuals?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The practice of reading instruction manuals may soon become obsolete, particularly in the (1)______ of consumer electronics. Many individuals tend to bypass user guides when acquiring new devices, with studies indicating that a significant portion of the population does not consult these manuals at all. For instance, a survey in the UK revealed that one in five people neglects to read the manual, while a report from the US suggested that this figure could be as high as 50%. Despite some individuals, like Caspar Herzberg, CEO of the UK industrial (2)______ company Aveva, expressing a (3)______ for instruction manuals, the reality is that many are simply discarded or left unread.

In industrial settings, however, the importance of understanding machinery and (4)______ cannot be overstated. Engineers must possess a thorough knowledge of the equipment they manage, especially when urgent issues arise that require immediate resolution. To address this challenge, (5)______ has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of reading and interpreting operating manuals on behalf of engineers. This AI has already memorized the technical manuals for power (6)______ and wind turbines (7)______ by Aveva’s parent company, Schneider Electric, and it continuously monitors machinery through an extensive network of sensors.

The AI system, referred to as the “industrial AI assistant,” aims to replicate the expertise of seasoned engineers who have accumulated years of (8)______ experience. For example, when an engineer encounters a fault, the AI can identify the location of the issue, analyze a comprehensive manual, and generate potential (9)______. It can even create a 3D visualization of the affected equipment, such as a turbine, which (10)______ find particularly helpful. This technology is especially valuable in light of the growing concern regarding an aging workforce, as many experienced engineers are retiring and taking their knowledge with them.

In addition to Aveva’s innovations, other companies are also leveraging AI to streamline the creation of user guides. For instance, California-based (11)______ has (12)______ an AI-powered system called CreatorPro, which automatically generates user guides based on videos uploaded by engineers demonstrating a particular process. This system not only produces step-by-step instructions but can also translate the content into multiple languages. Although these AI-generated guides still require human approval, they represent a significant advancement in addressing the challenges posed by an aging workforce in the manufacturing sector.

Furthermore, Scribe, another technology firm, offers a solution that allows users to create AI-generated manuals based on their actions on a computer. By simply recording their workflow, users can generate (13)______ guides that include (14)______ and detailed instructions. This automated process (15)______ the need for manual documentation, making it easier for individuals to share knowledge within their organizations. Experts in workplace behavior, like UK (16)______ psychologist Stuart Duff, suggest that AI can serve as a valuable resource for engineers, offering quick access to essential information and enhancing overall efficiency in the workplace.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a user guide, and how important do you think it is for new technology users to read them?

2. How would you feel if you purchased a new device and found that the instruction manual was missing?

3. Do you think people rely too much on technology instead of reading manuals? Why or why not?

4. Have you ever encountered a situation where not reading a manual led to a problem? What happened?

5. What is a significant advantage of using AI in reading and interpreting technical manuals?

6. How would you feel if an AI system was responsible for troubleshooting machinery you were working with?

7. Do you like the idea of AI-generated user manuals? Why or why not?

8. How do you think the aging workforce affects industries that rely heavily on technical knowledge?

9. What is a potential downside of relying on AI for understanding complex machinery?

10. How would you feel if your job involved working with AI systems instead of traditional instruction manuals?

11. Do you think that technology companies should focus more on creating user-friendly manuals? Why or why not?

12. What is a personal experience you have had with a poorly written instruction manual?

13. How do you think the shift towards AI-generated guides will change the way we learn new skills?

14. Do you think that the trend of abandoning user guides will continue in the future? Why or why not?

15. How would you feel if you were asked to approve an AI-generated manual before it was published?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. obsolete
2. realm
3. bypass
4. consult
5. discarded
6. overstated
7. thorough
8. resolution
9. replicate
10. seasoned
11. leveraging
12. streamline
13. translate
14. comprehensive
15. workflow

Meanings:
(A) To change words from one language into another
(B) The sequence of processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion
(C) Having a lot of experience in a particular activity
(D) The act of solving a problem or dispute
(E) A field or domain of activity or interest
(F) To seek information or advice from someone or something
(G) To make an exact copy or reproduce
(H) No longer in use or no longer useful
(I) Exaggerated or made to seem more important than it is
(J) Complete and detailed
(K) Thrown away or gotten rid of
(L) Using something to maximum advantage
(M) Including all or nearly all elements or aspects
(N) To improve the efficiency of a process by simplifying it
(O) To avoid or go around something
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is becoming less common in consumer electronics?
(a) Buying new devices
(b) Reading instruction manuals
(c) Using technology
(d) Consulting experts

2. What percentage of people in the US reportedly do not read manuals?
(a) 50%
(b) 30%
(c) 20%
(d) 10%

3. What has Aveva developed to assist engineers?
(a) A new type of machinery
(b) An artificial intelligence system
(c) A user-friendly manual
(d) A training program

4. What does the “industrial AI assistant” aim to replicate?
(a) The design of new machinery
(b) The functions of consumer electronics
(c) The process of writing manuals
(d) The expertise of seasoned engineers

5. What is CreatorPro designed to do?
(a) Teach engineers how to use machinery
(b) Translate manuals into multiple languages
(c) Automatically generate user guides
(d) Monitor machinery performance

6. How does Scribe help users?
(a) By providing live support for engineers
(b) By generating videos for training purposes
(c) By simplifying the purchase of new equipment
(d) By creating AI-generated manuals based on their actions

7. What is a concern regarding the workforce mentioned in the article?
(a) A shortage of new technology
(b) An increase in manual documentation
(c) An aging workforce and retiring engineers
(d) A rise in consumer electronics sales

8. What benefit does AI offer to engineers according to workplace behavior experts?
(a) Quick access to essential information
(b) More time for manual documentation
(c) Increased reliance on traditional methods
(d) Reduced need for teamwork

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Dozuki has created an AI-powered system called CreatorPro that generates user guides from engineer-uploaded videos.
2. Aveva has designed an AI system that scans and deciphers operating manuals for engineers.
3. Scribe provides a solution that enables users to generate AI-created manuals by typing out their workflows on a computer.
4. The AI system developed by Aveva can produce possible solutions and 3D illustrations of equipment problems.
5. A survey in the UK found that one in five people do not read the manuals for new devices.
6. The practice of reading instruction manuals is declining, especially in consumer electronics.
7. The aging workforce is a concern in the engineering field, as many experienced engineers are retiring.
8. In the US, reports indicate that as many as 50% of individuals fail to refer to user manuals.
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 reasons do people have for not reading instruction manuals for consumer electronics?
2. How does Aveva’s AI system assist engineers in understanding machinery and resolving issues?
3. In what ways does the aging workforce impact the need for effective instruction manuals in industrial settings?
4. How does the AI-powered system CreatorPro developed by Dozuki improve the creation of user guides?
5. What benefits do experts see in using AI-generated manuals for enhancing workplace efficiency?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What trend is observed regarding people’s behavior towards reading instruction manuals for consumer electronics?
Many individuals tend to bypass user guides when acquiring new devices, with studies indicating that a significant portion of the population does not consult these manuals at all.

2. How does the AI system developed by Aveva assist engineers in managing machinery?
The AI system reads and interprets operating manuals on behalf of engineers, helping them understand the machinery they manage and providing solutions to urgent issues.

3. What specific capabilities does the “industrial AI assistant” possess when dealing with equipment faults?
The AI can identify the location of the issue, analyze a comprehensive manual, generate potential solutions, and create a 3D visualization of the affected equipment.

4. What challenges does the aging workforce present in the engineering field, according to the article?
The aging workforce poses a challenge as many experienced engineers are retiring and taking their knowledge with them, leading to a potential loss of expertise.

5. How does Dozuki’s CreatorPro system contribute to the creation of user guides?
CreatorPro automatically generates user guides based on videos uploaded by engineers, producing step-by-step instructions and translating content into multiple languages.

6. In what way does Scribe’s technology facilitate knowledge sharing within organizations?
Scribe allows users to create AI-generated manuals based on their actions on a computer, generating comprehensive guides that include screenshots and detailed instructions.

7. What benefits do experts suggest AI can provide to engineers in the workplace?
Experts suggest that AI can offer quick access to essential information and enhance overall efficiency in the workplace.

8. How does the article illustrate the contrast between consumer electronics and industrial settings regarding the use of instruction manuals?
The article highlights that while many consumers neglect to read manuals for electronics, in industrial settings, understanding machinery and systems is crucial, leading to the development of AI systems to assist engineers.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) realm
(2) software
(3) fondness
(4) systems
(5) Aveva
(6) grids
(7) operated
(8) practical
(9) solutions
(10) engineers
(11) Dozuki
(12) developed
(13) comprehensive
(14) screenshots
(15) minimizes
(16) business
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. obsolete
Answer: (H) No longer in use or no longer useful

2. realm
Answer: (E) A field or domain of activity or interest

3. bypass
Answer: (O) To avoid or go around something

4. consult
Answer: (F) To seek information or advice from someone or something

5. discarded
Answer: (K) Thrown away or gotten rid of

6. overstated
Answer: (I) Exaggerated or made to seem more important than it is

7. thorough
Answer: (J) Complete and detailed

8. resolution
Answer: (D) The act of solving a problem or dispute

9. replicate
Answer: (G) To make an exact copy or reproduce

10. seasoned
Answer: (C) Having a lot of experience in a particular activity

11. leveraging
Answer: (L) Using something to maximum advantage

12. streamline
Answer: (N) To improve the efficiency of a process by simplifying it

13. translate
Answer: (A) To change words from one language into another

14. comprehensive
Answer: (M) Including all or nearly all elements or aspects

15. workflow
Answer: (B) The sequence of processes through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is becoming less common in consumer electronics?
Answer: (b) Reading instruction manuals

2. What percentage of people in the US reportedly do not read manuals?
Answer: (a) 50%

3. What has Aveva developed to assist engineers?
Answer: (b) An artificial intelligence system

4. What does the “industrial AI assistant” aim to replicate?
Answer: (d) The expertise of seasoned engineers

5. What is CreatorPro designed to do?
Answer: (c) Automatically generate user guides

6. How does Scribe help users?
Answer: (d) By creating AI-generated manuals based on their actions

7. What is a concern regarding the workforce mentioned in the article?
Answer: (c) An aging workforce and retiring engineers

8. What benefit does AI offer to engineers according to workplace behavior experts?
Answer: (a) Quick access to essential information
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Dozuki has created an AI-powered system called CreatorPro that generates user guides from engineer-uploaded videos. (Answer: True)
2. Aveva has designed an AI system that scans and deciphers operating manuals for engineers. (Answer: False)
3. Scribe provides a solution that enables users to generate AI-created manuals by typing out their workflows on a computer. (Answer: False)
4. The AI system developed by Aveva can produce possible solutions and 3D illustrations of equipment problems. (Answer: False)
5. A survey in the UK found that one in five people do not read the manuals for new devices. (Answer: True)
6. The practice of reading instruction manuals is declining, especially in consumer electronics. (Answer: True)
7. The aging workforce is a concern in the engineering field, as many experienced engineers are retiring. (Answer: True)
8. In the US, reports indicate that as many as 50% of individuals fail to refer to user manuals. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧