Microsoft is working on special computer helpers called AI assistants. These helpers will remember things like our chats and projects. They will be like smart friends who help us every day. Some people worry about privacy and if these helpers will always give the right answers. But others think these helpers need to know a lot to be really useful.

Microsoft’s AI boss, Mustafa, says people are getting used to devices that listen all the time, like phones and TVs. He thinks it’s important for people to feel safe and trust these devices. Microsoft is teaming up with a company called OpenAI to make these helpers even better. Not everyone uses AI helpers every day, but they are becoming more popular. Microsoft is adding new features to make their AI helpers even more helpful and safe.

Original news source: Microsoft: ‘ever present’ AI assistants are coming (BBC)

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper and put them in a bag. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and pick a word from the bag. They will have one minute to draw the word while their team tries to guess. No talking allowed.

– Headline Creation
Instructions: In pairs, students will create a catchy headline for an article about Microsoft’s AI assistants. Encourage them to use key vocabulary from the article in their headlines. Each pair will then share their headline with the class.

– Charades
Instructions: Write down actions related to the article on separate pieces of paper (e.g., typing on a keyboard, talking to a computer). One student will pick a paper and act out the action without speaking, while the rest of the class tries to guess what it is. This will help reinforce the vocabulary from the article.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on the board. Start with one word and have students say the first word that comes to mind related to that word. For example, if the word is “assistant,” students might say “help.” Go through several rounds to help students make connections between words.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Divide the class into groups and ask them to discuss their opinions on AI assistants like the ones Microsoft is developing. Have each group choose a spokesperson to share their group’s opinion with the class. This activity will encourage students to practice expressing their opinions in English.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is Microsoft working on that will help us every day?
2. Why are some people worried about these computer helpers?
3. Who is Microsoft working with to make the helpers better?
4. What does Mustafa think is important for people to feel about these helpers?
5. Do all people use AI helpers every day?
6. What does Microsoft do to make their AI helpers even better?
7. How are these helpers like smart friends?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Microsoft is working on special computer helpers called AI assistants. These helpers will (1)______ things like our chats and projects. They will be like smart (2)______ who help us every day. Some people (3)______ about privacy and if these helpers will always (4)______ the right answers. But others think these helpers need to know a lot to be really useful.

Microsoft’s AI boss, Mustafa, says people are getting used to devices that listen all the time, like phones and TVs. He thinks it’s (5)______ for people to feel safe and (6)______ these devices. Microsoft is teaming up with a company called OpenAI to make these helpers even better. Not everyone uses AI helpers every day, but they are becoming more popular. (7)______ is adding new (8)______ to make their AI helpers even more helpful and safe.
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. Do you like having a smart friend to help you every day?
3. How would you feel if a computer helper remembered everything you told it?
4. Do you think it’s important for devices to keep our information private?
5. What do you think about AI helpers listening all the time?
6. Why do you think some people worry about AI helpers giving the right answers?
7. Do you trust AI helpers to keep your information safe?
8. How do you feel about AI helpers becoming more popular?
9. Why do you think Microsoft is working with OpenAI to make their helpers better?
10. What features do you think would make AI helpers more helpful?
11. Do you use AI helpers in your daily life?
12. Why or why not do you think AI helpers are a good idea?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. assistants
2. privacy
3. devices
4. projects
5. trust
6. features
7. teaming
8. popular
9. important
10. safe

Meanings:
(A) Believing someone will do the right thing
(B) Working together with others
(C) Things you work on or make
(D) Not in danger, protected
(E) Liked by many people
(F) Special parts that make something better
(G) Something that matters a lot
(H) Helpers that make things easier
(I) Keeping things secret and not sharing
(J) Things like phones and TVs
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What are AI assistants?
(a) Cars
(b) Animals
(c) Special computer helpers
(d) Foods

2. Who is working on AI assistants?
(a) Apple
(b) Google
(c) Amazon
(d) Microsoft

3. What will AI assistants remember?
(a) Our favorite colors
(b) Our pets’ names
(c) Our favorite foods
(d) Our chats and projects

4. What do some people worry about regarding AI assistants?
(a) Playing music
(b) Cooking meals
(c) Privacy and giving the right answers
(d) Painting pictures

5. Who is Microsoft teaming up with to make their AI helpers better?
(a) SpaceX
(b) OpenAI
(c) Netflix
(d) Facebook

6. What does Mustafa think is important for people to feel about AI devices?
(a) Scared and worried
(b) Safe and trust
(c) Happy and excited
(d) Angry and sad

7. Are AI helpers becoming more popular?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Maybe
(d) Sometimes

8. What is Microsoft adding to their AI helpers to make them more helpful and safe?
(a) New features
(b) Less features
(c) More problems
(d) No changes

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Microsoft is collaborating with OpenAI to enhance the assistants.
2. These helpers will remember our chats and projects.
3. Microsoft is adding new features to the helpers.
4. Some people are not concerned about privacy with these helpers.
5. Microsoft is making special computer friends to help us.
6. Mustafa is the boss of Microsoft’s AI team.
7. The assistants require only a little knowledge to be truly useful.
8. Not everyone relies on AI helpers daily.
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 are Microsoft working on that are like smart friends?
2. Why do some people worry about these special computer helpers?
3. Who is Microsoft teaming up with to make the helpers better?
4. Do all people use AI helpers every day?
5. What is Microsoft doing to make their AI helpers more helpful and safe?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is Microsoft working on that will help us every day?
Microsoft is working on special computer helpers called AI assistants.

2. Why are some people worried about these computer helpers?
Some people worry about privacy and if these helpers will always give the right answers.

3. Who is Microsoft working with to make the helpers better?
Microsoft is working with a company called OpenAI to make the helpers better.

4. What does Mustafa think is important for people to feel about these helpers?
Mustafa thinks it’s important for people to feel safe and trust these helpers.

5. Do all people use AI helpers every day?
Not all people use AI helpers every day, but they are becoming more popular.

6. What does Microsoft do to make their AI helpers even better?
Microsoft adds new features to make their AI helpers even more helpful and safe.

7. How are these helpers like smart friends?
These helpers will remember things like our chats and projects, and they will be like smart friends who help us every day.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) remember
(2) friends
(3) worry
(4) give
(5) important
(6) trust
(7) Microsoft
(8) features
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. assistants
Answer: (H) Helpers that make things easier

2. privacy
Answer: (I) Keeping things secret and not sharing

3. devices
Answer: (J) Things like phones and TVs

4. projects
Answer: (C) Things you work on or make

5. trust
Answer: (A) Believing someone will do the right thing

6. features
Answer: (F) Special parts that make something better

7. teaming
Answer: (B) Working together with others

8. popular
Answer: (E) Liked by many people

9. important
Answer: (G) Something that matters a lot

10. safe
Answer: (D) Not in danger, protected
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What are AI assistants?
Answer: (c) Special computer helpers

2. Who is working on AI assistants?
Answer: (d) Microsoft

3. What will AI assistants remember?
Answer: (d) Our chats and projects

4. What do some people worry about regarding AI assistants?
Answer: (c) Privacy and giving the right answers

5. Who is Microsoft teaming up with to make their AI helpers better?
Answer: (b) OpenAI

6. What does Mustafa think is important for people to feel about AI devices?
Answer: (b) Safe and trust

7. Are AI helpers becoming more popular?
Answer: (a) Yes

8. What is Microsoft adding to their AI helpers to make them more helpful and safe?
Answer: (a) New features
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Microsoft is collaborating with OpenAI to enhance the assistants. (Answer: False)
2. These helpers will remember our chats and projects. (Answer: True)
3. Microsoft is adding new features to the helpers. (Answer: True)
4. Some people are not concerned about privacy with these helpers. (Answer: False)
5. Microsoft is making special computer friends to help us. (Answer: True)
6. Mustafa is the boss of Microsoft’s AI team. (Answer: True)
7. The assistants require only a little knowledge to be truly useful. (Answer: False)
8. Not everyone relies on AI helpers daily. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧