Japan has fewer people to work, so they are using smart computers called AI to help. Some companies use AI to check food and help farmers with their crops. AI can find bad dumplings and tell farmers what is wrong with their plants. But, AI can't do everything people can do. It helps, but it can't replace people.

Japan's problem with not enough workers is getting worse. By 2040, there will be many fewer workers because of fewer babies being born and older people retiring. The government is trying different things to fix this, like using AI. But, AI is just a tool to help, not to take over all jobs. People are still very important for many tasks.

Original news source: Can AI help solve Japan’s labour shortages? (BBC)

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Each team takes turns choosing a word or phrase related to the article and acting it out without speaking. The other team has to guess what the word or phrase is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point.
– Word Association
Instructions: Write the word "AI" on the board. Have the students take turns saying a word that is associated with AI, such as "technology" or "robots". Keep going until the students can't think of any more words.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Give each student a piece of paper and a pen. Choose a vocabulary word from the article and write it on the board. The students have to draw a picture of the word without using any letters or numbers. The first student to guess the correct word gets a point.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. One student has 30 seconds to summarize the article to their partner. After 30 seconds, the roles switch and the other student has to summarize the article. The pair with the most accurate and complete summary wins.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Have the students think about the following question: "What are some ways that AI can be helpful in solving Japan's worker shortage problem?" Then, have them pair up with a partner and discuss their ideas. Finally, have a few pairs share their ideas with the whole class.

Japan has ? people to work, so they are using smart computers called AI to help. Some companies use AI to check ? and help farmers with their crops. AI can find bad dumplings and tell ? what is wrong with their ?. But, AI can't do everything people can do. It helps, but it can't replace people. Japan's problem with not enough workers is getting worse. By 2040, there will be ? fewer workers because of fewer babies being born and older people ?. The government is trying ? things to fix this, like using AI. But, AI is just a tool to help, not to take over all jobs. People are still very ? for many tasks.

1. What is AI and how does it help farmers?
2. How would you feel if a smart computer helped you with your work?
3. Do you like dumplings? Why or why not?
4. What are some things that AI can't do that people can do?
5. How do you think AI can help with the problem of not enough workers in Japan?
6. Do you think AI will be able to replace all jobs in the future? Why or why not?
7. What are some tasks that people are still very important for?
8. How do you think AI can make our lives easier?
9. Have you ever used a smart computer or AI before? How was your experience?
10. What are some other ways besides using AI that the government can fix the problem of not enough workers?
11. Do you think it's important for people to have jobs? Why or why not?
12. How do you think AI can help with checking food for safety?

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