Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, predicts that AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities will be available within a year. These assistants will be able to remember conversations, projects, and problems, encouraging users to share more personal information with them. Suleyman envisions a future where AI companions will be ever-present in people’s daily lives, providing valuable support and assistance.
Despite the potential benefits of integrating AI assistants into our lives, critics have raised concerns about data security, privacy, and the possibility of AI tools giving incorrect information or displaying biases. However, supporters argue that for AI tools to be truly useful, they need to have access to historical data and context to perform tasks effectively. For instance, an AI diary manager can only organize schedules if it has access to relevant information.
Suleyman highlighted the changing privacy expectations of people over time, citing examples of devices like smartphones, TVs, and earbuds that continuously record audio and video in everyday environments. He emphasized the importance of users feeling in control of the technology they use and trusting the providers. Microsoft has made significant investments in AI technology, positioning itself as a market leader in the rapidly evolving field.
While some research suggests that AI tools are not widely used, Microsoft remains optimistic about the technology’s potential. Suleyman acknowledged that consumer adoption of AI tools may not reach the same levels as smartphones but emphasized the significant growth and adoption of AI technology. He dismissed the idea that AI could be a bubble, citing examples of businesses successfully leveraging AI tools for personalized knowledge and guidance.
Microsoft has introduced new features to its AI assistant range, including CoPilot Vision, a tool within its Edge web browser that assists with online activities. The company has prioritized user privacy by limiting data collection and ensuring manual activation of the tool. Despite facing privacy concerns with previous AI tools like Recall, Microsoft is committed to enhancing security measures and deploying AI technology at scale.
Original news source: Microsoft: ‘ever present’ AI assistants are coming (BBC)
🎧 Listen:
Slow
Normal
Fast
📖 Vocabulary:
| 1 | capabilities | The qualities or abilities that enable someone or something to perform a function |
| 2 | envisions | Imagines or foresees a future possibility |
| 3 | integrating | Combining or incorporating into a larger whole |
| 4 | biases | Prejudices or inclinations that affect impartial judgment |
| 5 | context | The circumstances or setting relevant to an event or idea |
| 6 | emphasized | Gave special importance or prominence to something |
| 7 | investments | The action or process of putting money into something for profit or gain |
| 8 | evolving | Developing gradually over time |
| 9 | adoption | The act of beginning to use or implement something |
| 10 | leveraging | Using something to its maximum advantage |
| 11 | personalized | Tailored or customized to meet individual needs |
| 12 | prioritized | Gave priority to or treated as more important than other things |
| 13 | deployment | The act of bringing something into operation or use |
| 14 | significant | Large enough to be noticed or have an effect |
| 15 | manual | Done by hand or requiring physical effort, not automatic |
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Ask students to summarize the main points of the article in their own words. Encourage them to focus on the key information and practice paraphrasing skills.
– 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 choose a word and draw it on the board while their team tries to guess the word. This activity helps reinforce vocabulary retention and understanding.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Create a line on one side of the room labeled “Strongly Disagree” and on the other side labeled “Strongly Agree.” Read out statements related to AI assistants from the article (e.g., “AI assistants will enhance our daily lives,” “AI assistants pose a threat to privacy”). Students will move along the spectrum to indicate their level of agreement with each statement and then discuss their opinions in groups.
– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, ask students to come up with catchy headlines for the article. Encourage them to focus on summarizing the main idea in a concise and attention-grabbing manner. This activity can help students practice writing skills and summarizing information effectively.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one representing the pros and the other the cons of AI assistants discussed in the article. Have each group brainstorm and list the advantages and disadvantages of using AI assistants. Then, conduct a debate where students from each group present their arguments. This activity encourages critical thinking and persuasive speaking skills.
🤔 Comprehension Questions:
1. What are some potential benefits of AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities according to Mustafa Suleyman?
2. What are some concerns raised by critics regarding integrating AI assistants into our lives?
3. Why do supporters argue that AI tools need access to historical data and context to be truly useful?
4. How has Mustafa Suleyman highlighted the changing privacy expectations of people over time?
5. How has Microsoft positioned itself in the AI technology market according to the article?
6. What is Microsoft’s approach to user privacy in the development of its AI assistant range?
7. How does Mustafa Suleyman view the growth and adoption of AI technology in comparison to smartphones?
8. What new feature has Microsoft introduced to its AI assistant range, and how does it prioritize user privacy?
Go to answers ⇩
🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, predicts that AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities will be available within a year. These assistants will be able to remember conversations, projects, and problems, encouraging users to share more personal information with them. Suleyman envisions a future where AI (1)______ will be ever-present in people’s daily lives, providing valuable (2)______ and assistance.
Despite the potential (3)______ of (4)______ AI assistants into our lives, critics have raised concerns about data security, privacy, and the possibility of AI tools giving incorrect information or displaying biases. However, supporters argue that for AI tools to be truly useful, they need to have (5)______ to historical data and context to perform tasks effectively. For (6)______, an AI diary manager can only organize schedules if it has access to relevant information.
Suleyman highlighted the changing privacy expectations of people over time, citing examples of devices like smartphones, TVs, and earbuds that continuously record (7)______ and (8)______ in everyday environments. He emphasized the importance of users feeling in control of the (9)______ they use and trusting the providers. Microsoft has made significant investments in AI technology, positioning itself as a market leader in the rapidly evolving field.
While some research suggests that AI tools are not widely used, Microsoft remains optimistic about the technology’s potential. Suleyman acknowledged that consumer (10)______ of AI tools may not (11)______ the same levels as smartphones but emphasized the significant (12)______ and adoption of AI technology. He dismissed the idea that AI could be a bubble, citing examples of businesses successfully leveraging AI tools for personalized knowledge and guidance.
Microsoft has (13)______ new features to its AI (14)______ range, including CoPilot Vision, a tool within its Edge web browser that assists with online (15)______. The company has prioritized user (16)______ by limiting data collection and ensuring manual activation of the tool. Despite facing privacy concerns with previous AI tools like Recall, Microsoft is committed to enhancing security measures and deploying AI technology at scale.
Go to answers ⇩
💬 Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What is your opinion on AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities being available in the near future?
2. How would you feel if an AI assistant could remember all your conversations and personal information?
3. Do you think the benefits of AI assistants outweigh the concerns about data security and privacy? Why or why not?
4. Do you like the idea of AI companions being ever-present in daily life to provide support and assistance?
5. How do you think the integration of AI assistants into our lives will impact human relationships and interactions?
6. What are your thoughts on the changing privacy expectations of people in relation to technology like AI assistants?
7. Do you believe that AI tools need access to historical data and context to be truly useful? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the rapid advancement of AI technology will affect various industries and job markets?
9. What is your perspective on the level of trust users should have in providers of AI technology?
10. Do you think the potential growth and adoption of AI technology will lead to a more efficient and productive society? Why or why not?
11. How would you react if AI tools became as widely used as smartphones in the future?
12. What are some potential ethical concerns that may arise with the widespread use of AI technology in everyday life?
13. How important do you think it is for companies like Microsoft to prioritize user privacy when developing AI tools?
14. Do you think AI technology will eventually replace certain human tasks and jobs completely? Why or why not?
15. In your opinion, what are some key factors that will determine the successful integration of AI technology into society?
Individual Activities
📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. capabilities
2. envisions
3. integrating
4. biases
5. context
6. emphasized
7. investments
8. evolving
9. adoption
10. leveraging
11. personalized
12. prioritized
13. deployment
14. significant
15. manual
Meanings:
(A) The act of beginning to use or implement something
(B) Developing gradually over time
(C) Gave priority to or treated as more important than other things
(D) Tailored or customized to meet individual needs
(E) Using something to its maximum advantage
(F) Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
(G) Prejudices or inclinations that affect impartial judgment
(H) The circumstances or setting relevant to an event or idea
(I) Done by hand or requiring physical effort, not automatic
(J) Combining or incorporating into a larger whole
(K) Imagines or foresees a future possibility
(L) Gave special importance or prominence to something
(M) The action or process of putting money into something for profit or gain
(N) The act of bringing something into operation or use
(O) The qualities or abilities that enable someone or something to perform a function
Go to answers ⇩
🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What does Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, predict will be available within a year?
(a) Self-driving cars
(b) Flying cars
(c) AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities
(d) Virtual reality headsets
2. What is a concern raised by critics regarding AI assistants?
(a) Data security and privacy
(b) Lack of entertainment value
(c) Slow internet connection
(d) Limited memory capabilities
3. According to supporters, what do AI tools need to be truly useful?
(a) Access to social media accounts
(b) Limited information to work effectively
(c) No access to the internet
(d) Access to historical data and context
4. What did Suleyman emphasize regarding users’ feelings about technology?
(a) Feeling overwhelmed and suspicious
(b) Feeling in control and trusting the providers
(c) Feeling indifferent and careless
(d) Feeling confused and frustrated
5. What has Microsoft positioned itself as in the field of AI technology?
(a) A market leader
(b) A follower
(c) A beginner
(d) An outsider
6. What new feature has Microsoft introduced to its AI assistant range?
(a) Self-destruct button
(b) Time machine
(c) Invisibility cloak
(d) CoPilot Vision
7. How has Microsoft prioritized user privacy with its AI tools?
(a) By collecting all available data automatically
(b) By limiting data collection and ensuring manual activation
(c) By sharing data with third parties without consent
(d) By storing data indefinitely without user knowledge
8. What is Microsoft committed to despite facing privacy concerns with previous AI tools?
(a) Ignoring user feedback and complaints
(b) Discontinuing all AI projects
(c) Enhancing security measures and deploying AI technology at scale
(d) Selling user data for profit
Go to answers ⇩
🕵️ True or False Questions:
1. Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, predicts that AI assistants with basic memory capabilities will be available within a year.
2. Suleyman denied that consumer adoption of AI tools may not reach the same levels as smartphones but highlighted significant growth and adoption of AI technology.
3. Microsoft has introduced new features to its AI assistant range, including CoPilot Vision, a tool within its Edge web browser that assists with online activities.
4. Suleyman envisions a future where AI companions will be ever-present in people’s daily lives, providing valuable support and assistance.
5. These AI assistants will be able to remember conversations, projects, and problems, encouraging users to share more personal information with them.
6. Supporters argue that for AI tools to be truly useful, they need access to historical data and context to perform tasks effectively.
7. Microsoft has made minimal investments in AI technology, positioning itself as a follower in the rapidly evolving field.
8. Critics have expressed satisfaction with data security, privacy, and the accuracy of AI tools.
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 Mustafa Suleyman, what capabilities will AI assistants have within a year?
2. What are some concerns raised by critics regarding the integration of AI assistants into people’s daily lives?
3. How does Mustafa Suleyman address the changing privacy expectations of users in relation to AI technology?
4. What investments has Microsoft made in the field of AI technology, according to the article?
5. How has Microsoft prioritized user privacy in the development of its AI assistant range, as mentioned in the article?
✅ Answers
🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:
1. What are some potential benefits of AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities according to Mustafa Suleyman?
– Mustafa Suleyman predicts that AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities will be able to remember conversations, projects, and problems, encouraging users to share more personal information with them. He envisions a future where AI companions will be ever-present in people’s daily lives, providing valuable support and assistance.
2. What are some concerns raised by critics regarding integrating AI assistants into our lives?
– Critics have raised concerns about data security, privacy, and the possibility of AI tools giving incorrect information or displaying biases.
3. Why do supporters argue that AI tools need access to historical data and context to be truly useful?
– Supporters argue that for AI tools to be truly useful, they need to have access to historical data and context to perform tasks effectively. For instance, an AI diary manager can only organize schedules if it has access to relevant information.
4. How has Mustafa Suleyman highlighted the changing privacy expectations of people over time?
– Mustafa Suleyman highlighted the changing privacy expectations of people over time by citing examples of devices like smartphones, TVs, and earbuds that continuously record audio and video in everyday environments. He emphasized the importance of users feeling in control of the technology they use and trusting the providers.
5. How has Microsoft positioned itself in the AI technology market according to the article?
– Microsoft has made significant investments in AI technology, positioning itself as a market leader in the rapidly evolving field. Despite some research suggesting that AI tools are not widely used, Microsoft remains optimistic about the technology’s potential.
6. What is Microsoft’s approach to user privacy in the development of its AI assistant range?
– Microsoft has prioritized user privacy by limiting data collection and ensuring manual activation of the tools. Despite facing privacy concerns with previous AI tools, Microsoft is committed to enhancing security measures and deploying AI technology at scale.
7. How does Mustafa Suleyman view the growth and adoption of AI technology in comparison to smartphones?
– Mustafa Suleyman acknowledged that consumer adoption of AI tools may not reach the same levels as smartphones but emphasized the significant growth and adoption of AI technology. He dismissed the idea that AI could be a bubble, citing examples of businesses successfully leveraging AI tools for personalized knowledge and guidance.
8. What new feature has Microsoft introduced to its AI assistant range, and how does it prioritize user privacy?
– Microsoft has introduced CoPilot Vision, a tool within its Edge web browser that assists with online activities. The company prioritizes user privacy by limiting data collection and ensuring manual activation of the tool.
Go back to questions ⇧
🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) companions
(2) support
(3) benefits
(4) integrating
(5) access
(6) instance
(7) audio
(8) video
(9) technology
(10) adoption
(11) reach
(12) growth
(13) introduced
(14) assistant
(15) activities
(16) privacy
Go back to questions ⇧
📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. capabilities
Answer: (O) The qualities or abilities that enable someone or something to perform a function
2. envisions
Answer: (K) Imagines or foresees a future possibility
3. integrating
Answer: (J) Combining or incorporating into a larger whole
4. biases
Answer: (G) Prejudices or inclinations that affect impartial judgment
5. context
Answer: (H) The circumstances or setting relevant to an event or idea
6. emphasized
Answer: (L) Gave special importance or prominence to something
7. investments
Answer: (M) The action or process of putting money into something for profit or gain
8. evolving
Answer: (B) Developing gradually over time
9. adoption
Answer: (A) The act of beginning to use or implement something
10. leveraging
Answer: (E) Using something to its maximum advantage
11. personalized
Answer: (D) Tailored or customized to meet individual needs
12. prioritized
Answer: (C) Gave priority to or treated as more important than other things
13. deployment
Answer: (N) The act of bringing something into operation or use
14. significant
Answer: (F) Large enough to be noticed or have an effect
15. manual
Answer: (I) Done by hand or requiring physical effort, not automatic
Go back to questions ⇧
🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What does Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, predict will be available within a year?
Answer: (c) AI assistants with advanced memory capabilities
2. What is a concern raised by critics regarding AI assistants?
Answer: (a) Data security and privacy
3. According to supporters, what do AI tools need to be truly useful?
Answer: (d) Access to historical data and context
4. What did Suleyman emphasize regarding users’ feelings about technology?
Answer: (b) Feeling in control and trusting the providers
5. What has Microsoft positioned itself as in the field of AI technology?
Answer: (a) A market leader
6. What new feature has Microsoft introduced to its AI assistant range?
Answer: (d) CoPilot Vision
7. How has Microsoft prioritized user privacy with its AI tools?
Answer: (b) By limiting data collection and ensuring manual activation
8. What is Microsoft committed to despite facing privacy concerns with previous AI tools?
Answer: (c) Enhancing security measures and deploying AI technology at scale
Go back to questions ⇧
🕵️✅ True or False Answers:
1. Microsoft’s head of AI, Mustafa Suleyman, predicts that AI assistants with basic memory capabilities will be available within a year. (Answer: False)
2. Suleyman denied that consumer adoption of AI tools may not reach the same levels as smartphones but highlighted significant growth and adoption of AI technology. (Answer: False)
3. Microsoft has introduced new features to its AI assistant range, including CoPilot Vision, a tool within its Edge web browser that assists with online activities. (Answer: True)
4. Suleyman envisions a future where AI companions will be ever-present in people’s daily lives, providing valuable support and assistance. (Answer: True)
5. These AI assistants will be able to remember conversations, projects, and problems, encouraging users to share more personal information with them. (Answer: True)
6. Supporters argue that for AI tools to be truly useful, they need access to historical data and context to perform tasks effectively. (Answer: True)
7. Microsoft has made minimal investments in AI technology, positioning itself as a follower in the rapidly evolving field. (Answer: False)
8. Critics have expressed satisfaction with data security, privacy, and the accuracy of AI tools. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧
