At the Paris Olympics, a new AI-powered talent identification system is being tested, aiming to discover future Olympic champions. This innovative technology is designed to assess the athletic potential of young participants, providing insights into their suitability for various sports. Developers of the system envision a portable version that could extend the reach of advanced sports science to remote areas worldwide, ensuring that talent is recognized regardless of location.
During the testing, children like Tacto and Tomo from Yokohama, Japan, engage in a series of activities that include running, jumping, and grip strength exercises. The system collects data from these tests, which is then analyzed to evaluate attributes such as power, explosiveness, endurance, reaction time, strength, and agility. By comparing the results with data from elite athletes, the system can suggest which sport each participant is best suited for. Sarah Vickers, head of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Program, emphasizes that this technology allows the average person to see how they measure up against elite athletes.
The AI system being showcased in Paris has a more portable counterpart that can operate on devices like mobile phones and tablets. This accessibility allows for performance assessments without the need for complex physical sensors. Recently, the International Olympic Committee utilized this technology in Senegal, where it assessed over 1,000 children in various villages. The initiative, in partnership with Senegal’s National Olympic Committee, successfully identified 48 children with significant athletic potential, offering them opportunities to further develop their skills.
While the potential for early talent identification is exciting, experts like Prof. John Brewer caution that a basic assessment system may not capture all necessary attributes, particularly for technical sports that require specific skills or endurance. He acknowledges the value of the AI system for initial evaluations, especially in areas lacking access to advanced assessment methods. However, he stresses that this technology should be part of a larger talent identification framework to ensure comprehensive evaluation of athletes.
As the testing continues at the Olympic Stadium, participants like Tacto are thrilled to learn they have been identified as potential sprinters, even if their current interests lie in other sports. More experienced athletes, Hank and Brock, also engage with the technology, humorously noting the unexpected results they received. Despite the advancements in AI, the system does not always predict accurately, highlighting the complexities of athletic talent identification. Overall, this innovative approach represents a significant step forward in recognizing and nurturing future sports stars.
Original news source: The AI tech aiming to identify future Olympians (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | innovative | Introducing new ideas or methods; advanced and original |
| 2 | envision | To imagine or expect something in the future |
| 3 | portable | Easily carried or moved, especially because of being a lighter and smaller version |
| 4 | attributes | Characteristics or qualities of a person or thing |
| 5 | agility | The ability to move quickly and easily |
| 6 | counterpart | A person or thing that has the same function or position in a different place or situation |
| 7 | accessibility | The quality of being easy to approach, reach, or use |
| 8 | initiative | A plan or action intended to solve a problem or improve a situation |
| 9 | significant | Important or large enough to be noticed or have an effect |
| 10 | comprehensive | Including all or nearly all elements or aspects |
| 11 | framework | A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text |
| 12 | thrilled | Extremely pleased and excited |
| 13 | nurturing | Encouraging the growth or development of someone or something |
| 14 | complexities | The state of having many different parts connected in a complicated way |
| 15 | recognizing | Identifying or acknowledging the existence or validity of something or someone |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will act out different sports without using words, while their classmates guess what sport is being represented. This will encourage vocabulary related to sports and athletic activities.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will create a poll with questions about the use of AI in sports talent identification. They will then circulate the poll among classmates and compile the results to discuss different viewpoints on the technology’s impact on sports.
– ARTICLE TIMELINE
Instructions: In small groups, students will create a timeline of the key events mentioned in the article, such as the testing of the AI system, the assessment of children in Senegal, and the opinions of experts. This will help reinforce the chronological understanding of the article’s content.
– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will brainstorm and write catchy headlines for the article that summarize the main ideas. They will then share their headlines with the class and discuss the different angles they took.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to create a mind map that visually represents the main concepts and details from the article. This will help them organize their thoughts and see the connections between the different aspects of AI in sports talent identification.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the primary goal of the AI-powered talent identification system being tested at the Paris Olympics?
2. How does the system assess the athletic potential of young participants?
3. What are some of the attributes that the system evaluates during the testing of participants?
4. In what way does the portable version of the AI system differ from its more complex counterpart?
5. What was the outcome of the International Olympic Committee’s use of this technology in Senegal?
6. Why do experts like Prof. John Brewer express caution regarding the basic assessment system?
7. How do participants like Tacto and more experienced athletes react to the results provided by the AI system?
8. What does the article suggest about the future of talent identification in sports through technology?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
At the Paris Olympics, a new AI-powered (1)______ identification system is being tested, aiming to discover future Olympic champions. This innovative technology is designed to (2)______ the athletic potential of young (3)______, providing insights into their suitability for various sports. Developers of the system envision a portable version that could extend the reach of advanced sports science to remote areas worldwide, ensuring that talent is recognized regardless of (4)______.
During the testing, children like Tacto and Tomo from Yokohama, Japan, engage in a series of activities that include running, jumping, and grip strength exercises. The system collects data from these tests, which is then analyzed to evaluate attributes such as power, explosiveness, endurance, (5)______ time, strength, and agility. By comparing the results with data from elite athletes, the system can suggest which sport each participant is best suited for. Sarah Vickers, head of Intel’s Olympic and Paralympic Program, emphasizes that this technology allows the average person to see how they measure up against elite athletes.
The AI system being showcased in Paris has a more (6)______ counterpart that can operate on devices like (7)______ phones and tablets. This accessibility allows for performance assessments without the need for complex (8)______ sensors. Recently, the International Olympic Committee utilized this technology in Senegal, where it assessed over 1,000 children in various villages. The initiative, in (9)______ with Senegal’s National Olympic (10)______, successfully identified 48 children with significant athletic potential, offering them opportunities to further develop their skills.
While the potential for early talent identification is exciting, experts like Prof. John Brewer (11)______ that a basic assessment system may not capture all necessary attributes, particularly for technical sports that require specific skills or endurance. He acknowledges the value of the AI system for initial (12)______, especially in areas lacking access to advanced assessment methods. However, he stresses that this technology should be part of a larger talent identification framework to ensure (13)______ evaluation of athletes.
As the testing continues at the Olympic Stadium, participants like Tacto are thrilled to learn they have been identified as potential sprinters, even if their current interests lie in other sports. More experienced athletes, Hank and Brock, also engage with the technology, humorously noting the unexpected results they received. Despite the (14)______ in AI, the system does not always predict accurately, highlighting the complexities of athletic talent identification. Overall, this innovative (15)______ represents a significant step forward in recognizing and nurturing (16)______ sports stars.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on using AI technology to identify athletic talent?
2. How would you feel if you were assessed by an AI system to determine your suitability for a particular sport?
3. Do you think that talent identification should rely more on technology or on traditional coaching methods? Why?
4. What is a sport you think requires a unique set of skills that may not be easily assessed by technology?
5. How important do you believe it is to identify athletic talent at a young age? Why or why not?
6. Do you like the idea of having your athletic abilities compared to elite athletes? Why or why not?
7. How would you react if you were identified as having potential in a sport you had never considered before?
8. Do you think that access to talent identification technology should be available to all children, regardless of their location? Why?
9. What is a challenge you think the AI talent identification system might face in accurately assessing athletes?
10. How do you feel about the idea of using technology to discover talent in remote areas?
11. Do you think that the excitement of being identified as a potential athlete could motivate young people to pursue sports more seriously? Why?
12. What is your experience with technology in sports training or assessment?
13. How would you feel if the AI system suggested a sport for you that you had no interest in?
14. Do you think that the potential drawbacks of relying on AI for talent identification outweigh the benefits? Why or why not?
15. How important is it for a talent identification system to consider personal interests and preferences in addition to physical attributes? Why?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. innovative
2. envision
3. portable
4. attributes
5. agility
6. counterpart
7. accessibility
8. initiative
9. significant
10. comprehensive
11. framework
12. thrilled
13. nurturing
14. complexities
15. recognizing
Meanings:
(A) A plan or action intended to solve a problem or improve a situation
(B) The state of having many different parts connected in a complicated way
(C) The quality of being easy to approach, reach, or use
(D) To imagine or expect something in the future
(E) Including all or nearly all elements or aspects
(F) A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text
(G) Important or large enough to be noticed or have an effect
(H) Encouraging the growth or development of someone or something
(I) Introducing new ideas or methods; advanced and original
(J) Easily carried or moved, especially because of being a lighter and smaller version
(K) The ability to move quickly and easily
(L) Extremely pleased and excited
(M) A person or thing that has the same function or position in a different place or situation
(N) Characteristics or qualities of a person or thing
(O) Identifying or acknowledging the existence or validity of something or someone
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the AI-powered talent identification system being tested at the Paris Olympics?
(a) To train elite athletes
(b) To create a new sport
(c) To discover future Olympic champions
(d) To analyze Olympic events
2. Where are the children participating in the testing of the AI system from?
(a) Paris, France
(b) New York, USA
(c) Yokohama, Japan
(d) Sydney, Australia
3. What types of activities do participants engage in during the assessment?
(a) Swimming and cycling
(b) Running, jumping, and grip strength exercises
(c) Team sports like soccer and basketball
(d) Dance and gymnastics
4. How does the AI system evaluate the athletic potential of participants?
(a) By comparing results with data from elite athletes
(b) By conducting interviews with coaches
(c) By measuring physical appearance
(d) By observing participants in competition
5. What is one benefit of the portable version of the AI system?
(a) It is less expensive to produce
(b) It can be used in professional sports only
(c) It requires more complex physical sensors
(d) It can operate on mobile phones and tablets
6. How many children were assessed in Senegal using this technology?
(a) 500 children
(b) Over 1,000 children
(c) 2,000 children
(d) 100 children
7. What caution does Prof. John Brewer express regarding the AI system?
(a) It is too expensive for widespread use
(b) It can only be used for elite athletes
(c) It requires constant updates
(d) It may not capture all necessary attributes for technical sports
8. What do participants like Tacto feel about being identified as potential sprinters?
(a) They are thrilled
(b) They are indifferent
(c) They are disappointed
(d) They are confused
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Developers plan to create a portable version of the AI system to extend its reach to remote areas worldwide.
2. Experts caution that the basic assessment system may not capture all necessary attributes for technical sports.
3. The International Olympic Committee never used this technology in Senegal to assess over 1,000 children.
4. The technology only allows elite athletes to compare their athletic performance against average individuals.
5. The Paris Olympics is not testing a new AI-powered talent identification system aimed at discovering future Olympic champions.
6. The system assesses the athletic potential of young participants through various physical activities such as running and jumping.
7. The initiative in Senegal successfully identified 48 children with significant athletic potential for further development.
8. Participants in the testing, like Tacto, are indifferent to learning about their potential in sports, even if it aligns with their current interests.
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. How does the AI-powered talent identification system assess the athletic potential of young participants?
2. What are some of the key attributes that the system evaluates during the testing process?
3. In what ways does the portable version of the AI system enhance accessibility for talent identification?
4. What concerns do experts like Prof. John Brewer have regarding the effectiveness of the AI system in evaluating athletic talent?
5. How have the initial results of the talent identification system impacted the participants’ perceptions of their athletic abilities?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What is the primary goal of the AI-powered talent identification system being tested at the Paris Olympics?
The primary goal is to discover future Olympic champions by assessing the athletic potential of young participants.
2. How does the system assess the athletic potential of young participants?
The system assesses athletic potential by having participants engage in activities like running, jumping, and grip strength exercises, while collecting and analyzing data from these tests.
3. What are some of the attributes that the system evaluates during the testing of participants?
The system evaluates attributes such as power, explosiveness, endurance, reaction time, strength, and agility.
4. In what way does the portable version of the AI system differ from its more complex counterpart?
The portable version can operate on mobile phones and tablets, allowing for performance assessments without the need for complex physical sensors.
5. What was the outcome of the International Olympic Committee’s use of this technology in Senegal?
The outcome was the assessment of over 1,000 children, resulting in the identification of 48 children with significant athletic potential who were offered opportunities to further develop their skills.
6. Why do experts like Prof. John Brewer express caution regarding the basic assessment system?
Prof. John Brewer cautions that a basic assessment system may not capture all necessary attributes, especially for technical sports that require specific skills or endurance.
7. How do participants like Tacto and more experienced athletes react to the results provided by the AI system?
Participants like Tacto are thrilled to be identified as potential sprinters, while more experienced athletes humorously note the unexpected results they received.
8. What does the article suggest about the future of talent identification in sports through technology?
The article suggests that this innovative approach represents a significant step forward in recognizing and nurturing future sports stars through technology.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) talent
(2) assess
(3) participants
(4) location
(5) reaction
(6) portable
(7) mobile
(8) physical
(9) partnership
(10) Committee
(11) caution
(12) evaluations
(13) comprehensive
(14) advancements
(15) approach
(16) future
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. innovative
Answer: (I) Introducing new ideas or methods; advanced and original
2. envision
Answer: (D) To imagine or expect something in the future
3. portable
Answer: (J) Easily carried or moved, especially because of being a lighter and smaller version
4. attributes
Answer: (N) Characteristics or qualities of a person or thing
5. agility
Answer: (K) The ability to move quickly and easily
6. counterpart
Answer: (M) A person or thing that has the same function or position in a different place or situation
7. accessibility
Answer: (C) The quality of being easy to approach, reach, or use
8. initiative
Answer: (A) A plan or action intended to solve a problem or improve a situation
9. significant
Answer: (G) Important or large enough to be noticed or have an effect
10. comprehensive
Answer: (E) Including all or nearly all elements or aspects
11. framework
Answer: (F) A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text
12. thrilled
Answer: (L) Extremely pleased and excited
13. nurturing
Answer: (H) Encouraging the growth or development of someone or something
14. complexities
Answer: (B) The state of having many different parts connected in a complicated way
15. recognizing
Answer: (O) Identifying or acknowledging the existence or validity of something or someone
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the purpose of the AI-powered talent identification system being tested at the Paris Olympics?
Answer: (c) To discover future Olympic champions
2. Where are the children participating in the testing of the AI system from?
Answer: (c) Yokohama, Japan
3. What types of activities do participants engage in during the assessment?
Answer: (b) Running, jumping, and grip strength exercises
4. How does the AI system evaluate the athletic potential of participants?
Answer: (a) By comparing results with data from elite athletes
5. What is one benefit of the portable version of the AI system?
Answer: (d) It can operate on mobile phones and tablets
6. How many children were assessed in Senegal using this technology?
Answer: (b) Over 1,000 children
7. What caution does Prof. John Brewer express regarding the AI system?
Answer: (d) It may not capture all necessary attributes for technical sports
8. What do participants like Tacto feel about being identified as potential sprinters?
Answer: (a) They are thrilled
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Developers plan to create a portable version of the AI system to extend its reach to remote areas worldwide. (Answer: True)
2. Experts caution that the basic assessment system may not capture all necessary attributes for technical sports. (Answer: True)
3. The International Olympic Committee never used this technology in Senegal to assess over 1,000 children. (Answer: False)
4. The technology only allows elite athletes to compare their athletic performance against average individuals. (Answer: False)
5. The Paris Olympics is not testing a new AI-powered talent identification system aimed at discovering future Olympic champions. (Answer: False)
6. The system assesses the athletic potential of young participants through various physical activities such as running and jumping. (Answer: True)
7. The initiative in Senegal successfully identified 48 children with significant athletic potential for further development. (Answer: True)
8. Participants in the testing, like Tacto, are indifferent to learning about their potential in sports, even if it aligns with their current interests. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
