AI washing is when companies say they use artificial intelligence (AI) more than they really do. They want to look smart and modern. For example, Amazon said their stores let people shop without checkout lines. But, it turned out, many transactions needed help from workers in India. This shows how some companies exaggerate their AI use.
AI washing can mean saying you use AI when you donβt, or making AI sound better than it is. Many new tech companies say they use AI to seem cool and attract attention. But often, they donβt have real AI results to show. The problem is, there isnβt a clear definition of what AI is, so companies can easily stretch the truth.
Authorities are starting to notice and act against AI washing. In the U.S., some companies have been charged for lying about their AI use. In the UK, there are rules to stop false advertising about AI. Experts say AI washing can make people not trust AI and slow down real progress. As AI becomes more common, saying you use AI might not be special anymore, just like saying youβre "on the internet" isnβt unique today.
Original news source: What is 'AI washing' and why is it a problem? (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– CHARADES
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Write different phrases related to AI and companies on slips of paper (e.g., "AI washing," "Amazon checkout," "false advertising"). One student from a team picks a slip and acts out the phrase without speaking, while their teammates try to guess what it is.
– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Prepare a few statements about AI washing (e.g., "Companies should be honest about their AI use," "AI washing is not a big problem"). Have students walk around the classroom and ask their classmates whether they agree or disagree with each statement, recording the results. Afterward, discuss the findings as a class.
– MIND MAP
Instructions: On the board, write "AI Washing" in the center. Have students work in small groups to brainstorm and write related ideas, terms, or examples around it (like "companies," "advertising," "trust," etc.). Each group presents their mind map to the class.
– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Choose key vocabulary words from the article (e.g., "artificial intelligence," "exaggerate," "authorities"). One student draws a word on the board without using letters or numbers, and the rest of the class guesses what the word is.
– FUTURE PREDICTIONS
Instructions: Have students think about the future of AI in companies. They can work in pairs to discuss and write down their predictions (e.g., "In 10 years, companies will be more honest about their AI use"). Afterward, pairs share their predictions with the class for further discussion.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
AI washing is when companies say they use artificial intelligence (AI) more than they really do.
Companies use AI washing to look smart and modern, and to attract attention.
An example is Amazon, which said their stores let people shop without checkout lines, but many transactions still needed help from workers.
The problem is that there isnβt a clear definition of what AI is, so companies can easily stretch the truth about their AI use.
Authorities are starting to notice AI washing and some companies have been charged for lying about their AI use.
AI washing can make people not trust AI because they might think companies are not being honest.
In the future, saying you use AI might not be special because many companies will be saying the same thing, just like saying youβre "on the internet" isnβt unique today.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
AI washing is when companies say they use intelligence (AI) more than they really do. They to look smart and modern. For , Amazon said their stores let people shop without checkout lines. But, it turned out, many transactions needed help from workers in India. This shows how some exaggerate their AI use. AI can mean saying you use AI when you donβt, or making AI sound better than it is. Many new tech companies say they use AI to cool and attract attention. But often, they donβt have real AI results to show. The is, there isnβt a clear definition of what AI is, so companies can easily the truth. Authorities are starting to notice and act against AI washing. In the U.S., some companies have been for lying about their AI use. In the UK, there are rules to stop false advertising about AI. say AI washing can make not trust AI and slow down real progress. As AI becomes more common, you use AI might not be special anymore, just like saying youβre "on the internet" isnβt unique today.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is artificial intelligence (AI) to you?
2. Do you think using AI is a good thing? Why or why not?
3. How would you feel if a store said they used AI, but it was not true?
4. Do you like shopping online or in a store? Why?
5. What do you think makes a company "cool"?
6. Have you ever heard of a company that lied about something? What happened?
7. Do you think it is important for companies to tell the truth? Why?
8. How would you feel if you found out your favorite app was not using AI as it claimed?
9. Do you think people trust technology companies? Why or why not?
10. What is a way you think companies can show they really use AI?
11. Do you think AI will be more common in the future? Why?
12. How would you feel if everyone started using AI? Would it still be special? Why?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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