Nvidia, the world’s most valuable chip company, and Foxconn, the maker of iPhones, have announced a collaboration to build “AI factories.” These factories are a new type of data center that utilize Nvidia chips to power various applications, including autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, and large language models. This partnership comes at a time when the US has imposed export restrictions on advanced chips to China, which has affected Nvidia. However, both companies believe that Foxconn’s expertise and global scale make it well-suited to build these AI factories.
During Foxconn’s annual tech showcase in Taipei, Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, and Foxconn’s chairman, Young Liu, emphasized the emergence of a new type of manufacturing focused on intelligence. They referred to the data centers that produce this intelligence as AI factories. Huang stated that Foxconn has the necessary capabilities to build these factories on a global scale. Liu also mentioned that Foxconn aims to transition from a manufacturing service company to a platform solution company, with AI factories being applicable to smart cities and smart manufacturing.
Nvidia’s stock market value has skyrocketed to over $1 trillion due to the use of its advanced chips in AI applications. This has made Nvidia the fifth publicly traded US company to join the “Trillion dollar club,” alongside Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon. On the other hand, Foxconn, known for manufacturing Apple products, has been diversifying its business and focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) as a growth driver. In January, Foxconn and Nvidia announced a partnership to develop autonomous vehicle platforms, with Foxconn manufacturing electronic control units based on Nvidia’s chips.
Overall, this collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn aims to leverage Nvidia’s AI technology and Foxconn’s manufacturing expertise to build AI factories that can power a wide range of applications. Both companies see this as an opportunity to expand their businesses and stay at the forefront of technological advancements in areas such as autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Original news source: Nvidia and iPhone maker Foxconn to build ‘AI factories’ (BBC)
Listen
Slow
Normal
Fast
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask them to summarize the main points of the article in a paragraph or two. Each group will then share their summary with the rest of the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the class to form two lines facing each other. Assign one line as the “agree” line and the other as the “disagree” line. Read out statements related to the article, such as “Nvidia and Foxconn’s collaboration will revolutionize the manufacturing industry.” Students will then move to the agree line if they agree with the statement or the disagree line if they disagree. After each statement, give students a chance to explain their reasoning.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Select 10 key vocabulary words from the article. Write each word on a separate piece of paper and put them in a bag or container. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. One student from each group will draw a word from the bag and have one minute to draw a visual representation of the word on the board. The other students in the group must guess the word based on the drawing. Repeat until all the words have been drawn and guessed.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group to discuss the pros of Nvidia and Foxconn’s collaboration, and the other group to discuss the cons. Give students a few minutes to brainstorm their ideas, and then have a class discussion where each group presents their points. Encourage students to provide evidence or examples to support their arguments.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Ask students to imagine what the future could look like with the development of AI factories. Divide the class into small groups and give them a few minutes to brainstorm ideas. Then, each group will share their predictions with the class. Encourage students to think about the potential impact on various industries, society, and everyday life.
Comprehension Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn?
2. What are some of the applications that will be powered by the AI factories?
3. Why is Foxconn considered well-suited to build these AI factories?
4. How has Nvidia’s stock market value been impacted by the use of its advanced chips in AI applications?
5. What other companies are part of the “Trillion dollar club” alongside Nvidia?
6. What is Foxconn’s focus as a growth driver?
7. What was the previous partnership between Foxconn and Nvidia focused on?
8. What are the goals of this collaboration for both Nvidia and Foxconn?
Go to answers ⇩
Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
Nvidia, the world’s most valuable chip (1)______, and Foxconn, the maker of iPhones, have announced a collaboration to build “AI factories.” These factories are a new type of data center that utilize Nvidia chips to power (2)______ applications, including autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, and large language models. This partnership comes at a time when the US has imposed export restrictions on advanced chips to China, which has affected Nvidia. However, both (3)______ believe that Foxconn’s expertise and global (4)______ make it well-suited to build these AI factories.
During Foxconn’s annual tech showcase in Taipei, Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, and Foxconn’s chairman, Young Liu, (5)______ the (6)______ of a new type of manufacturing focused on intelligence. They referred to the data (7)______ that produce this intelligence as AI factories. Huang stated that Foxconn has the necessary (8)______ to build these factories on a global scale. Liu also mentioned that Foxconn aims to transition from a manufacturing service company to a platform solution company, with AI factories being applicable to smart cities and smart manufacturing.
Nvidia’s (9)______ market value has skyrocketed to over $1 trillion due to the use of its advanced chips in AI applications. This has made Nvidia the fifth publicly traded US company to join the “Trillion (10)______ club,” alongside Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon. On the other hand, Foxconn, known for manufacturing Apple (11)______, has been (12)______ its business and focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) as a growth driver. In January, Foxconn and Nvidia announced a partnership to develop (13)______ vehicle platforms, with Foxconn manufacturing electronic control units (14)______ on Nvidia’s chips.
Overall, this (15)______ between Nvidia and Foxconn aims to leverage Nvidia’s AI technology and Foxconn’s manufacturing expertise to build AI factories that can power a wide range of applications. Both companies see this as an opportunity to (16)______ their businesses and stay at the forefront of technological advancements in areas such as autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Go to answers ⇩
Discussion Questions:
Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.
1. What do you think are the potential benefits of building AI factories?
2. How do you think AI factories could impact the manufacturing industry?
3. Do you believe that AI factories will lead to job losses in traditional manufacturing roles? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if AI factories became a common feature in smart cities?
5. Do you think the collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn will be successful? Why or why not?
6. What are your thoughts on the use of advanced chips in AI applications?
7. How do you think AI factories could contribute to the development of autonomous vehicles?
8. Do you believe that AI factories will have a positive or negative impact on society? Why?
9. What do you think are the potential challenges or drawbacks of building AI factories?
10. How would you feel if AI factories became the primary method of manufacturing in the future?
11. Do you think the emergence of AI factories will lead to increased reliance on technology? Why or why not?
12. What are your thoughts on the concept of transitioning from a manufacturing service company to a platform solution company?
13. How do you think the collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn will impact the global market for AI technology?
14. Do you believe that AI factories will be able to keep up with the pace of technological advancements? Why or why not?
15. What opportunities do you think AI factories could create for other industries outside of manufacturing?
Individual Activities
Vocabulary Meanings:
Match each word to its meaning.
Words:
1. Nvidia
2. Foxconn
3. collaboration
4. AI factories
5. data center
6. autonomous vehicles
7. robotics platforms
8. language models
Meanings:
(a) The maker of iPhones
(b) A new type of manufacturing focused on intelligence
(c) A type of facility that utilizes Nvidia chips
(d) Models that process and understand human language
(e) The world’s most valuable chip company
(f) Vehicles that can operate without human intervention
(g) A partnership or working together
(h) Platforms or systems that use robots
Go to answers ⇩
Multiple Choice Questions:
1. What is the purpose of the collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn?
(a) To build “AI factories” that utilize Nvidia chips for various applications
(b) To manufacture iPhones for Apple
(c) To develop electric vehicles
(d) To join the “Trillion dollar club”
2. What are some of the applications that will be powered by the AI factories?
(a) Smart cities and smart manufacturing
(b) Autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, and large language models
(c) Electronic control units for EVs
(d) iPhones and other Apple products
3. Why has Nvidia’s stock market value skyrocketed?
(a) Because of its partnership with Foxconn
(b) Due to the use of its advanced chips in AI applications
(c) Because it joined the “Trillion dollar club”
(d) Because of its manufacturing expertise
4. What is Foxconn known for?
(a) Developing autonomous vehicle platforms
(b) Building AI factories
(c) Manufacturing Apple products
(d) Diversifying its business
5. What is Foxconn’s goal in transitioning from a manufacturing service company to a platform solution company?
(a) To join the “Trillion dollar club”
(b) To build AI factories for smart cities
(c) To leverage Nvidia’s AI technology
(d) To focus on electric vehicles as a growth driver
6. What has affected Nvidia due to export restrictions on advanced chips to China?
(a) Foxconn’s manufacturing expertise
(b) The emergence of AI factories
(c) The US government’s actions
(d) The use of Nvidia’s chips in AI applications
7. What is the significance of Foxconn’s global scale in building AI factories?
(a) It makes Foxconn well-suited for the task
(b) It diversifies Foxconn’s business
(c) It allows Foxconn to join the “Trillion dollar club”
(d) It impacts Nvidia’s stock market value
8. What are the areas in which Nvidia and Foxconn aim to stay at the forefront of technological advancements?
(a) Smart cities and smart manufacturing
(b) Electric vehicles and AI factories
(c) Large language models and electronic control units
(d) Autonomous vehicles and robotics
True or False Questions:
1. The US export restrictions on advanced chips to China have affected Nvidia, but both companies believe Foxconn is well-suited to build these AI factories.
2. Apple and Samsung have announced a collaboration to build “AI factories” that utilize Apple chips for various applications.
3. Foxconn has been diversifying its business and focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) as a growth driver.
4. Samsung and Apple previously announced a partnership to develop autonomous vehicle platforms, with Samsung manufacturing electronic control units based on Apple’s chips.
5. Nvidia’s stock market value has surpassed $1 trillion due to the use of its advanced chips in AI applications, making it the fifth US company to join the “Trillion dollar club.”
6. Samsung aims to transition from a manufacturing service company to a platform solution company, with AI factories applicable to smart cities and smart manufacturing.
7. The collaboration between Apple and Samsung aims to leverage Apple’s AI technology and Samsung’s manufacturing expertise to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in areas like autonomous vehicles and robotics.
8. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, and Foxconn’s chairman, Young Liu, emphasized the emergence of a new type of manufacturing focused on intelligence at Foxconn’s annual tech showcase.
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 is the purpose of the collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn?
2. How have export restrictions on advanced chips to China affected Nvidia?
3. What are the potential applications for the AI factories being built by Nvidia and Foxconn?
4. How has Nvidia’s stock market value been impacted by the use of its advanced chips in AI applications?
5. In what ways has Foxconn been diversifying its business?
Answers
Comprehension Question Answers:
1. The purpose of the collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn is to build “AI factories,” which are data centers powered by Nvidia chips to support applications such as autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, and large language models.
2. The AI factories will power applications such as autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, and large language models.
3. Foxconn is considered well-suited to build these AI factories due to its expertise in manufacturing and its global scale.
4. Nvidia’s stock market value has skyrocketed to over $1 trillion due to the use of its advanced chips in AI applications.
5. The other companies in the “Trillion dollar club” alongside Nvidia are Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon.
6. Foxconn’s focus as a growth driver is on electric vehicles (EVs).
7. The previous partnership between Foxconn and Nvidia was focused on developing autonomous vehicle platforms, with Foxconn manufacturing electronic control units based on Nvidia’s chips.
8. The goals of this collaboration for both Nvidia and Foxconn are to leverage Nvidia’s AI technology and Foxconn’s manufacturing expertise to build AI factories that can power a wide range of applications, expand their businesses, and stay at the forefront of technological advancements in areas such as autonomous vehicles and robotics.
Go back to questions ⇧
Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:
(1) company
(2) various
(3) companies
(4) scale
(5) emphasized
(6) emergence
(7) centers
(8) capabilities
(9) stock
(10) dollar
(11) products
(12) diversifying
(13) autonomous
(14) based
(15) collaboration
(16) expand
Go back to questions ⇧
Vocabulary Meanings Answers:
1. Nvidia
Answer: (e) The world’s most valuable chip company
2. Foxconn
Answer: (a) The maker of iPhones
3. collaboration
Answer: (g) A partnership or working together
4. AI factories
Answer: (b) A new type of manufacturing focused on intelligence
5. data center
Answer: (c) A type of facility that utilizes Nvidia chips
6. autonomous vehicles
Answer: (f) Vehicles that can operate without human intervention
7. robotics platforms
Answer: (h) Platforms or systems that use robots
8. language models
Answer: (d) Models that process and understand human language
Go back to questions ⇧
Multiple Choice Answers:
1. What is the purpose of the collaboration between Nvidia and Foxconn?
Answer: (a) To build “AI factories” that utilize Nvidia chips for various applications
2. What are some of the applications that will be powered by the AI factories?
Answer: (b) Autonomous vehicles, robotics platforms, and large language models
3. Why has Nvidia’s stock market value skyrocketed?
Answer: (b) Due to the use of its advanced chips in AI applications
4. What is Foxconn known for?
Answer: (c) Manufacturing Apple products
5. What is Foxconn’s goal in transitioning from a manufacturing service company to a platform solution company?
Answer: (d) To focus on electric vehicles as a growth driver
6. What has affected Nvidia due to export restrictions on advanced chips to China?
Answer: (c) The US government’s actions
7. What is the significance of Foxconn’s global scale in building AI factories?
Answer: (a) It makes Foxconn well-suited for the task
8. What are the areas in which Nvidia and Foxconn aim to stay at the forefront of technological advancements?
Answer: (d) Autonomous vehicles and robotics
Go back to questions ⇧
True or False Answers:
1. The US export restrictions on advanced chips to China have affected Nvidia, but both companies believe Foxconn is well-suited to build these AI factories. (Answer: True)
2. Apple and Samsung have announced a collaboration to build “AI factories” that utilize Apple chips for various applications. (Answer: False)
3. Foxconn has been diversifying its business and focusing on electric vehicles (EVs) as a growth driver. (Answer: True)
4. Samsung and Apple previously announced a partnership to develop autonomous vehicle platforms, with Samsung manufacturing electronic control units based on Apple’s chips. (Answer: False)
5. Nvidia’s stock market value has surpassed $1 trillion due to the use of its advanced chips in AI applications, making it the fifth US company to join the “Trillion dollar club.” (Answer: True)
6. Samsung aims to transition from a manufacturing service company to a platform solution company, with AI factories applicable to smart cities and smart manufacturing. (Answer: False)
7. The collaboration between Apple and Samsung aims to leverage Apple’s AI technology and Samsung’s manufacturing expertise to stay at the forefront of technological advancements in areas like autonomous vehicles and robotics. (Answer: False)
8. Nvidia’s CEO, Jensen Huang, and Foxconn’s chairman, Young Liu, emphasized the emergence of a new type of manufacturing focused on intelligence at Foxconn’s annual tech showcase. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧
