Full Circle Biotechnology, a company based in Bangkok, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to lower the costs of insect farming. The company rears black soldier fly larvae to produce animal feed for shrimp and pig farms. The larvae feed on fruit and vegetable waste before being harvested and combined with probiotic bacteria and mushrooms. Full Circle claims that its insect-based feed has a carbon footprint that is 100 times lower than soybean-based feed. However, soybean feed is currently substantially cheaper, posing a challenge for Full Circle. By using AI, the company hopes to maximize production at a lower cost by studying past and present data on insect farming to determine the best methods.
Cogastro, a software provider for insect farms based in Lithuania, is also working on an AI-based system. The company currently sells monitoring software that collects data for users to analyze. The AI upgrade will allow the system to learn, adapt, and make changes within an insect farm. Cogastro plans to launch the AI commercially within the next three years. The company’s founder, Mante Sidlauskaite, emphasizes the importance of developing a solid software foundation before implementing AI. She cautions against companies that claim to have AI systems readily available without sufficient data and customer experience.
Full Circle is collaborating with Singapore-based AI expert Simon Christofides to develop its AI system. As black soldier fly larvae have only been farmed commercially for a short time, there is still much to learn. AI can accelerate this learning process by analyzing multiple sensors and millions of data points. However, there are certain aspects of insect farming, such as the breeding process, that still require a hands-off approach. Understanding the social and behavioral dynamics of the flies is crucial for successful breeding.
In conclusion, Full Circle Biotechnology and Cogastro are using AI to optimize insect farming and lower costs. While there are challenges to overcome, such as the cost competitiveness of soybean-based feed, AI has the potential to revolutionize the industry by analyzing vast amounts of data and providing insights that humans cannot achieve alone.
Original news source: The insect farmers turning to AI to help lower costs (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
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Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | biotechnology | The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products |
| 2 | larvae | The immature form of an insect that undergoes metamorphosis |
| 3 | probiotic | Beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy balance of microorganisms |
| 4 | footprint | The impact or effect of an activity, often related to environmental impact |
| 5 | substantially | To a great or significant extent |
| 6 | maximize | To increase to the greatest possible amount or degree |
| 7 | monitoring | The act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time |
| 8 | commercially | In a manner related to business or trade |
| 9 | foundation | The underlying basis or principle for something |
| 10 | implementing | Putting a decision, plan, or agreement into effect |
| 11 | sensors | Devices that detect or measure physical properties and record, indicate, or respond to them |
| 12 | dynamics | The forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process |
| 13 | optimize | To make the best or most effective use of a situation or resource |
| 14 | competitiveness | The ability to compete successfully in the market |
| 15 | revolutionize | To bring about a radical change in something |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will read the article and write a summary of the main points in their own words. They can then compare their summaries with a partner and discuss any differences or similarities. Finally, as a class, they can share their summaries and discuss any additional insights or perspectives.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups and assign each group a specific question related to the article. For example, “Do you think AI will revolutionize the insect farming industry?” Each group will discuss the question and come up with their own opinions. Then, they will conduct an opinion poll within the class, asking other students for their opinions on the same question. Finally, each group will present their findings and have a class discussion about the different perspectives.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Give each student a vocabulary word from the article. Without using any spoken or written words, the students must draw a picture to represent their assigned word. They can then take turns showing their drawings to the class and the rest of the class must guess the word. This activity will help reinforce the vocabulary from the article in a fun and interactive way.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. One student will be the speaker and the other will be the listener. The speaker will have one minute to summarize the article to the listener, highlighting the main points and key details. After one minute, the roles will switch and the listener will have one minute to summarize what they heard. This activity will help students practice their listening and speaking skills, as well as improve their ability to summarize information quickly and accurately.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In small groups, students will discuss the pros and cons of using AI in insect farming, based on the information in the article. They will make a list of the advantages and disadvantages and then present their findings to the class. After each group presents, there can be a class discussion to compare and contrast the different perspectives and explore any additional pros and cons that were not mentioned.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What is Full Circle Biotechnology using artificial intelligence for?
2. How does Full Circle Biotechnology claim its insect-based feed compares to soybean-based feed?
3. What challenge does Full Circle Biotechnology face in regards to the cost of its feed?
4. What is Cogastro currently selling and what will their AI upgrade allow?
5. What does Mante Sidlauskaite caution against in regards to AI systems?
6. Who is Full Circle collaborating with to develop its AI system?
7. What is one aspect of insect farming that still requires a hands-off approach?
8. How does AI have the potential to revolutionize the insect farming industry?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Full Circle (1)______, a company based in Bangkok, is using (2)______ intelligence (AI) to lower the costs of insect farming. The company rears black soldier fly larvae to produce animal feed for shrimp and pig farms. The larvae feed on (3)______ and vegetable waste before being harvested and combined with probiotic bacteria and mushrooms. Full Circle claims that its insect-based feed has a carbon footprint that is 100 times lower than (4)______-based feed. However, soybean feed is currently substantially cheaper, posing a challenge for Full Circle. By using AI, the company hopes to maximize production at a lower cost by studying past and present data on (5)______ farming to determine the best methods.
Cogastro, a software provider for insect farms based in Lithuania, is also working on an AI-based system. The company currently sells (6)______ software that collects data for users to (7)______. The AI upgrade will allow the system to learn, adapt, and make (8)______ within an insect farm. Cogastro plans to launch the AI commercially within the next three years. The company’s founder, Mante Sidlauskaite, (9)______ the importance of (10)______ing a solid software foundation before (11)______ AI. She cautions against companies that claim to have AI systems readily available without sufficient data and customer experience.
Full Circle is collaborating with Singapore-based AI expert Simon (12)______ to develop its AI system. As black soldier fly larvae have only been farmed commercially for a short time, there is still much to learn. AI can accelerate this learning process by analyzing multiple sensors and millions of data points. However, there are certain aspects of insect farming, such as the (13)______ process, that still require a hands-off approach. Understanding the social and behavioral dynamics of the flies is crucial for successful breeding.
In conclusion, Full Circle Biotechnology and (14)______ are using AI to optimize insect farming and lower (15)______. While there are challenges to overcome, such as the cost competitiveness of soybean-based feed, AI has the potential to revolutionize the industry by analyzing vast amounts of data and providing insights that (16)______ cannot achieve alone.
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 to lower the costs of insect farming?
2. How would you feel if AI technology replaced human workers in insect farming?
3. Do you think using AI in insect farming will have a positive or negative impact on the environment? Why or why not?
4. What is your experience with using AI technology in other industries? How do you think it could be applied to insect farming?
5. How do you think AI can help improve the efficiency and productivity of insect farming?
6. Do you think AI technology will be able to replace human decision-making in insect farming completely? Why or why not?
7. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of using AI in insect farming?
8. How do you think AI technology can help address the challenges faced by insect farming, such as the cost competitiveness of soybean-based feed?
9. What are some other industries or sectors where you think AI technology could be applied to improve efficiency and productivity?
10. Do you think AI technology will eventually replace human workers in various industries? Why or why not?
11. What is your opinion on the ethical implications of using AI in insect farming?
12. How do you think AI technology can help address the environmental concerns associated with traditional animal feed production?
13. Do you think AI technology will be able to adapt and learn as effectively as humans in the context of insect farming? Why or why not?
14. How do you think AI technology can contribute to the sustainable development of the agriculture industry as a whole?
15. What are some potential risks or challenges associated with relying heavily on AI technology in insect farming?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. biotechnology
2. larvae
3. probiotic
4. footprint
5. substantially
6. maximize
7. monitoring
8. commercially
9. foundation
10. implementing
11. sensors
12. dynamics
13. optimize
14. competitiveness
15. revolutionize
Meanings:
(A) The underlying basis or principle for something
(B) Devices that detect or measure physical properties and record, indicate, or respond to them
(C) The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products
(D) The immature form of an insect that undergoes metamorphosis
(E) To increase to the greatest possible amount or degree
(F) The ability to compete successfully in the market
(G) In a manner related to business or trade
(H) Beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy balance of microorganisms
(I) The impact or effect of an activity, often related to environmental impact
(J) To bring about a radical change in something
(K) The forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process
(L) To make the best or most effective use of a situation or resource
(M) Putting a decision, plan, or agreement into effect
(N) To a great or significant extent
(O) The act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is Full Circle Biotechnology using artificial intelligence for?
(a) Producing animal feed for shrimp and pig farms
(b) Lowering the costs of insect farming
(c) Maximizing production at a lower cost
(d) Studying past and present data on insect farming
2. What is the carbon footprint of Full Circle’s insect-based feed compared to soybean-based feed?
(a) The same
(b) 100 times higher
(c) 10 times lower
(d) 100 times lower
3. What is Cogastro currently selling?
(a) Monitoring software for insect farms
(b) Insect-based feed
(c) AI-based systems for insect farms
(d) Probiotic bacteria and mushrooms
4. What does Cogastro plan to launch commercially within the next three years?
(a) AI upgrade for its monitoring software
(b) Insect-based feed
(c) Probiotic bacteria and mushrooms
(d) AI-based systems for insect farms
5. Who is Full Circle collaborating with to develop its AI system?
(a) Mante Sidlauskaite
(b) A Singapore-based AI expert
(c) Simon Christofides
(d) Cogastro
6. What can AI analyze to accelerate the learning process in insect farming?
(a) The breeding process
(b) Multiple sensors and millions of data points
(c) Social and behavioral dynamics of the flies
(d) The cost competitiveness of soybean-based feed
7. What is crucial for successful breeding in insect farming?
(a) Lowering the costs of insect farming
(b) Producing animal feed for shrimp and pig farms
(c) Maximizing production at a lower cost
(d) Understanding the social and behavioral dynamics of the flies
8. What is the potential of AI in the insect farming industry?
(a) Lowering the costs of soybean-based feed
(b) Producing animal feed for shrimp and pig farms
(c) Revolutionizing the industry by analyzing vast amounts of data
(d) Maximizing production at a higher cost
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Soybean feed is currently slightly cheaper than insect-based feed, posing a challenge for Full Circle.
2. The company rears black soldier fly larvae to produce animal feed for shrimp and pig farms.
3. AI has the potential to impact the insect farming industry by analyzing vast amounts of data and providing insights that humans cannot achieve alone.
4. Full Circle claims that its insect-based feed has a carbon footprint that is 100 times lower than soybean-based feed.
5. Cogastro, a hardware provider for insect farms, is also working on an AI-based system.
6. Full Circle is collaborating with Singapore-based AI expert Simon Christofides to improve its AI system.
7. Cogastro currently sells monitoring software for insect farms and plans to launch the AI upgrade within the next three years.
8. Full Circle Biotechnology is based in Bangkok and uses AI to lower the costs of insect farming.
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 is Full Circle Biotechnology using AI to lower the costs of insect farming?
2. What is the carbon footprint of Full Circle’s insect-based feed compared to soybean-based feed?
3. What is Cogastro’s current product and what are their plans for an AI upgrade?
4. Who is Full Circle collaborating with to develop their AI system?
5. What are the potential benefits of using AI in insect farming?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. Full Circle Biotechnology is using artificial intelligence to lower the costs of insect farming.
2. Full Circle claims that its insect-based feed has a carbon footprint that is 100 times lower than soybean-based feed.
3. The challenge that Full Circle Biotechnology faces is that soybean feed is currently substantially cheaper than its insect-based feed.
4. Cogastro is currently selling monitoring software for insect farms, and their AI upgrade will allow the system to learn, adapt, and make changes within a farm.
5. Mante Sidlauskaite cautions against companies that claim to have AI systems readily available without sufficient data and customer experience.
6. Full Circle is collaborating with Singapore-based AI expert Simon Christofides to develop its AI system.
7. One aspect of insect farming that still requires a hands-off approach is the breeding process.
8. AI has the potential to revolutionize the insect farming industry by analyzing vast amounts of data and providing insights that humans cannot achieve alone.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) Biotechnology
(2) artificial
(3) fruit
(4) soybean
(5) insect
(6) monitoring
(7) analyze
(8) changes
(9) emphasizes
(10) develop
(11) implementing
(12) Christofides
(13) breeding
(14) Cogastro
(15) costs
(16) humans
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. biotechnology
Answer: (C) The use of living systems and organisms to develop or make products
2. larvae
Answer: (D) The immature form of an insect that undergoes metamorphosis
3. probiotic
Answer: (H) Beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy balance of microorganisms
4. footprint
Answer: (I) The impact or effect of an activity, often related to environmental impact
5. substantially
Answer: (N) To a great or significant extent
6. maximize
Answer: (E) To increase to the greatest possible amount or degree
7. monitoring
Answer: (O) The act of observing and checking the progress or quality of something over a period of time
8. commercially
Answer: (G) In a manner related to business or trade
9. foundation
Answer: (A) The underlying basis or principle for something
10. implementing
Answer: (M) Putting a decision, plan, or agreement into effect
11. sensors
Answer: (B) Devices that detect or measure physical properties and record, indicate, or respond to them
12. dynamics
Answer: (K) The forces or properties that stimulate growth, development, or change within a system or process
13. optimize
Answer: (L) To make the best or most effective use of a situation or resource
14. competitiveness
Answer: (F) The ability to compete successfully in the market
15. revolutionize
Answer: (J) To bring about a radical change in something
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is Full Circle Biotechnology using artificial intelligence for?
Answer: (b) Lowering the costs of insect farming
2. What is the carbon footprint of Full Circle’s insect-based feed compared to soybean-based feed?
Answer: (d) 100 times lower
3. What is Cogastro currently selling?
Answer: (a) Monitoring software for insect farms
4. What does Cogastro plan to launch commercially within the next three years?
Answer: (a) AI upgrade for its monitoring software
5. Who is Full Circle collaborating with to develop its AI system?
Answer: (c) Simon Christofides
6. What can AI analyze to accelerate the learning process in insect farming?
Answer: (b) Multiple sensors and millions of data points
7. What is crucial for successful breeding in insect farming?
Answer: (d) Understanding the social and behavioral dynamics of the flies
8. What is the potential of AI in the insect farming industry?
Answer: (c) Revolutionizing the industry by analyzing vast amounts of data
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Soybean feed is currently slightly cheaper than insect-based feed, posing a challenge for Full Circle. (Answer: False)
2. The company rears black soldier fly larvae to produce animal feed for shrimp and pig farms. (Answer: True)
3. AI has the potential to impact the insect farming industry by analyzing vast amounts of data and providing insights that humans cannot achieve alone. (Answer: False)
4. Full Circle claims that its insect-based feed has a carbon footprint that is 100 times lower than soybean-based feed. (Answer: True)
5. Cogastro, a hardware provider for insect farms, is also working on an AI-based system. (Answer: False)
6. Full Circle is collaborating with Singapore-based AI expert Simon Christofides to improve its AI system. (Answer: False)
7. Cogastro currently sells monitoring software for insect farms and plans to launch the AI upgrade within the next three years. (Answer: True)
8. Full Circle Biotechnology is based in Bangkok and uses AI to lower the costs of insect farming. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
