YouTube made a new computer helper that can copy the singing of famous people like Demi Lovato and John Legend. Only a few people can use it right now. They can make little songs by telling the computer what words and feelings they want in the song. Nine singers, like Charli XCX and Sia, said it’s okay for the computer to use their singing voices. YouTube also said they will tell people when a video is made by a computer and let them ask to take down videos that pretend to be real people.

The new computer helper, called Dream Track, can make it sound like famous singers are singing new songs. It’s like magic for music! YouTube also has another computer helper that can make music if you just hum a tune. They will put a special mark on music made by computers so everyone knows. People are talking a lot about computers making art, and YouTube wants to make sure they do it the right way.

Original news source: YouTube tests AI tool that clones pop stars’ voices (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down different actions or activities related to the article on small pieces of paper and put them in a bowl. One student from each team will take turns picking a piece of paper and silently acting out the action or activity for their team to guess. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. The team with the most points at the end wins.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, have students take turns summarizing the main points of the article to each other. They can use their own words and should try to include as much information as possible. After each student has given their summary, they can compare and discuss any differences or similarities in their understanding of the article.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into small groups. Each group will take turns choosing a word and drawing it on the board without using any letters or numbers. The other groups must guess the word based on the drawing. The group that guesses correctly gets a point. The group with the most points at the end wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will discuss the pros and cons of computers being able to make art, as mentioned in the article. They can write down their ideas and then share them with the class. Encourage students to provide reasons for their opinions and to listen and respond respectfully to others’ opinions.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs, have students take turns making predictions about the future of computer-generated art. They can use the information from the article and their own ideas. Encourage them to explain their predictions and discuss any potential impacts on society, the music industry, or other areas.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What did YouTube make that can copy the singing of famous people?
2. Can a lot of people use the new computer helper right now?
3. How do people make little songs with the computer helper?
4. Who said it’s okay for the computer to use their singing voices?
5. What will YouTube do if a video pretends to be made by a real person?
6. What is the new computer helper called?
7. What does YouTube want to make sure of when it comes to computers making art?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

YouTube made a new computer helper that can copy the singing of famous (1)______ like Demi Lovato and (2)______ Legend. Only a few people can use it right now. They can make little songs by telling the computer what words and feelings they want in the (3)______. Nine singers, like Charli XCX and Sia, said it’s okay for the computer to use their singing voices. YouTube also said they will tell people when a video is (4)______ by a computer and let them ask to take down videos that pretend to be real people.

The new computer helper, (5)______ Dream Track, can make it sound like famous singers are singing new songs. It’s like magic for music! (6)______ also has another computer helper that can make (7)______ if you just hum a tune. They will put a special mark on music made by computers so everyone knows. People are talking a lot about computers making art, and YouTube wants to make (8)______ they do it the right way.

Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a computer helper?
2. How would you feel if you could make your own songs using a computer helper?
3. Do you like singing? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about the computer helper being able to copy famous singers’ voices?
5. How would you feel if someone made a video pretending to be you?
6. What do you think about computers making music?
7. How would you feel if a computer made a song that sounded like your favorite singer?
8. Do you think it’s important for people to know when a video is made by a computer? Why or why not?
9. How would you feel if you could make music just by humming a tune?
10. What do you think about YouTube wanting to make sure computers make art the right way?
11. Do you think it’s fair for computers to copy famous singers’ voices? Why or why not?
12. How would you feel if you could ask a computer helper to make a song about your favorite things?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. YouTube
2. computer
3. singing
4. famous
5. people
6. songs
7. voices
8. music

Meanings:
(a) Known by many people
(b) Making sounds with your voice that sound nice
(c) A machine that can do a lot of things
(d) A website where you can watch videos
(e) Humans, like you and me
(f) The sounds that come out of your mouth when you talk or sing
(g) Little tunes that you can listen to
(h) Sounds that make you want to dance or sing along
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the new computer helper made by YouTube?
(a) Singing Magic
(b) Famous Voices
(c) Dream Track
(d) Music Maker

2. How many singers gave permission for the computer helper to use their singing voices?
(a) Nine
(b) Three
(c) Five
(d) Twelve

3. What can the computer helper do with the singing voices of famous people?
(a) Delete them
(b) Change them
(c) Hide them
(d) Copy them

4. What will YouTube do if a video made by a computer pretends to be a real person?
(a) Keep it online forever
(b) Take it down if asked
(c) Make it more popular
(d) Change the title

5. What is the other computer helper made by YouTube called?
(a) Singing Magic
(b) Music Maker
(c) Dream Track
(d) Humming Melody

6. How will YouTube mark music made by computers?
(a) With a red dot
(b) With a big sign
(c) With a special mark
(d) With a small symbol

7. What are people talking a lot about?
(a) Computers making art
(b) Computers making food
(c) Computers making clothes
(d) Computers making toys

8. What does YouTube want to make sure of?
(a) Computers make art the wrong way
(b) Computers make art quickly
(c) Computers make art slowly
(d) Computers make art the right way

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. People cannot create short songs by informing the computer what words and emotions they desire in the song.
2. YouTube wants to make sure computers make art the right way.
3. YouTube will let people know when a video is made by a computer and let them ask to take down videos that pretend to be real people.
4. Nine singers, including Charli XCX and Sia, stated it’s not okay for the computer to use their singing voices.
5. The new computer tool is called Nightmare Track and it cannot make it sound like famous singers are singing new songs.
6. Only a few people can use the new computer helper right now.
7. YouTube also has another computer helper that can make music if you just hum a tune.
8. YouTube did not create a new computer tool that can imitate famous singers like Demi Lovato and John Legend.
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 did YouTube make to help people copy the singing of famous people?
2. How do people use the computer helper to make songs?
3. Which singers said it’s okay for the computer to use their singing voices?
4. What will YouTube do if a video pretends to be made by a real person?
5. What is the other computer helper that YouTube has?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. YouTube made a new computer helper that can copy the singing of famous people.
2. No, only a few people can use the new computer helper right now.
3. People can make little songs by telling the computer what words and feelings they want in the song.
4. Nine singers, like Charli XCX and Sia, said it’s okay for the computer to use their singing voices.
5. YouTube will tell people when a video is made by a computer and let them ask to take down videos that pretend to be real people.
6. The new computer helper is called Dream Track.
7. YouTube wants to make sure that computers make art the right way.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) people
(2) John
(3) song
(4) made
(5) called
(6) YouTube
(7) music
(8) sure
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Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. YouTube
Answer: (d) A website where you can watch videos

2. computer
Answer: (c) A machine that can do a lot of things

3. singing
Answer: (b) Making sounds with your voice that sound nice

4. famous
Answer: (a) Known by many people

5. people
Answer: (e) Humans, like you and me

6. songs
Answer: (g) Little tunes that you can listen to

7. voices
Answer: (f) The sounds that come out of your mouth when you talk or sing

8. music
Answer: (h) Sounds that make you want to dance or sing along
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the new computer helper made by YouTube?
Answer: (c) Dream Track

2. How many singers gave permission for the computer helper to use their singing voices?
Answer: (a) Nine

3. What can the computer helper do with the singing voices of famous people?
Answer: (d) Copy them

4. What will YouTube do if a video made by a computer pretends to be a real person?
Answer: (b) Take it down if asked

5. What is the other computer helper made by YouTube called?
Answer: (b) Music Maker

6. How will YouTube mark music made by computers?
Answer: (c) With a special mark

7. What are people talking a lot about?
Answer: (a) Computers making art

8. What does YouTube want to make sure of?
Answer: (d) Computers make art the right way
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. People cannot create short songs by informing the computer what words and emotions they desire in the song. (Answer: False)
2. YouTube wants to make sure computers make art the right way. (Answer: True)
3. YouTube will let people know when a video is made by a computer and let them ask to take down videos that pretend to be real people. (Answer: True)
4. Nine singers, including Charli XCX and Sia, stated it’s not okay for the computer to use their singing voices. (Answer: False)
5. The new computer tool is called Nightmare Track and it cannot make it sound like famous singers are singing new songs. (Answer: False)
6. Only a few people can use the new computer helper right now. (Answer: True)
7. YouTube also has another computer helper that can make music if you just hum a tune. (Answer: True)
8. YouTube did not create a new computer tool that can imitate famous singers like Demi Lovato and John Legend. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧