Phone companies are using smart computers, called AI, to help with their busy networks. Big companies like O2, EE, Vodafone, and Three use AI to manage signals, save energy, and keep the network running well. In Korea, AI helps fix network problems very quickly. In the US, AT&T uses AI to guess and stop network issues before they happen. They are also working on faster networks like 5G and even 6G for the future.

These companies also use AI to help their customers. A group of companies wants to make a smart helper, or chatbot, to answer customer questions. Vodafone works with Microsoft to make their helper, Tobi, talk to many customers every month. This helps people get answers faster without waiting for a person. Some people worry about jobs, but experts think AI can help everyone, especially in poorer countries.

Original news source: How mobile phone networks are embracing AI (BBC)

– Charades
Instructions: Write down key words from the article on separate pieces of paper and put them in a hat. Divide the class into teams. One person from each team will come up and pick a word from the hat without showing it to their team. They must then act out the word without speaking, and their team has to guess what word they are acting out. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a list of vocabulary words from the article. One person from each pair will choose a word and draw a picture to represent it, while their partner tries to guess the word. They can only use pictures, no words or gestures. After a certain amount of time, switch roles. The pair with the most correct guesses wins.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the article. Set a timer for one minute. One person from each pair will read the article to themselves and then try to summarize it to their partner in one minute or less. Their partner should listen and try to understand as much as possible. After one minute, switch roles. The pair with the most accurate summaries wins.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Divide the class into groups of four. Give each group a set of statements related to the article, such as "AI will make our lives easier" or "AI will take away jobs." Each group member should place themselves on a spectrum from strongly agree to strongly disagree for each statement. After everyone has placed themselves, give each group a chance to discuss why they placed themselves where they did. Encourage them to use the vocabulary and ideas from the article in their discussion.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the article. Each pair should work together to make a list of the pros and cons of using AI in phone networks and customer service. After they have made their lists, have pairs share their ideas with the class. Encourage them to use the vocabulary and ideas from the article in their discussion.

Phone companies are using smart computers, ? AI, to help with their busy networks. Big companies like O2, EE, Vodafone, and Three use AI to manage signals, save ?, and keep the network running well. In Korea, AI helps fix network problems very quickly. In the US, AT&T uses AI to ? and stop network issues before they happen. They are also working on faster ? like 5G and even 6G for the future. These ? also use AI to help their ?s. A group of companies wants to make a smart helper, or chatbot, to answer customer questions. Vodafone works with Microsoft to make their helper, Tobi, talk to many customers every month. This helps ? get ? faster without waiting for a person. Some people worry about jobs, but experts think AI can help everyone, especially in poorer countries.

1. What is a smart computer called AI?
2. How would you feel if a smart computer helped fix network problems very quickly?
3. Do you like the idea of a smart helper answering customer questions? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about AI helping everyone, especially in poorer countries?
5. How do you think AI can save energy?
6. Do you think it's important for phone companies to have fast networks like 5G and 6G? Why or why not?
7. What is a chatbot?
8. How would you feel if you had to wait a long time to get answers from a person instead of a chatbot?
9. Do you think AI can replace human jobs? Why or why not?
10. What kind of questions do you think people ask the smart helper, Tobi?
11. How do you think AI can manage signals in a network?
12. What do you think the future of phone networks will be like with the help of AI?

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