Carpet weaving in India has been transformed by artificial intelligence (AI). In the past, weavers used a code called talim to create intricate patterns on carpets. They would receive small sections of the code and follow it to know where to place each thread and which colors to use. However, this process was slow and prone to mistakes. Now, with computer software, weavers can see the entire design at once, which makes production faster and helps them spot problems early on.

Tech companies are taking it a step further by using AI in the process. Aby Mathew, from International Virtual Assistance, is training an AI system to understand the talim code by analyzing pictures of carpets and lines of code. Although a human still needs to write the code, this AI system helps speed up manufacturing by decoding the instructions for the weavers. This innovation allows for the creation of new patterns and customization, which meets the changing preferences of customers who want stylish, durable, and easy-to-maintain carpets.

The carpet industry in India faces competition from Turkey and China, so it’s important to keep up with the latest manufacturing techniques. Aditya Gupta, the founder of Rug Republic, believes that innovation is crucial in every industry. While new technologies have been introduced for designing, washing, and drying carpets, the manufacturing side still relies on traditional and handmade methods because that’s what customers want. The industry has also introduced an official tagging system that lets buyers verify the authenticity of hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets, which helps support the local economy.

These advancements in carpet making have given hope to long-time weavers like Feroz Ahmad Bhat. They have seen the industry go through ups and downs, but with new designs and increased speed, the art of carpet weaving is thriving once again. By combining traditional techniques with technological innovations, the industry has been able to adapt to changing demands and stay competitive in the global market.

Original news source: India’s ancient carpet weaving industry meets AI (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students should read the article and then write a brief summary of the main points. They can then share their summaries with the class and discuss any differences or similarities.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Students should form small groups and discuss their opinions on the use of AI in carpet weaving. They can then create a poll with questions such as “Do you think the use of AI in carpet weaving is a positive development?” or “Do you think traditional techniques should be preserved?” Each group should then present their poll results to the class and discuss the reasons behind their opinions.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will take turns choosing a word related to the article and drawing it on the board, while their team tries to guess the word. The team that guesses correctly gets a point. This activity will help reinforce vocabulary related to carpet weaving and AI.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students should brainstorm the pros and cons of using AI in carpet weaving. They can then present their ideas to the class and engage in a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Students should work in pairs or small groups and discuss their predictions for the future of carpet weaving. They can consider how AI and other technological advancements might continue to impact the industry. Each group should then share their predictions with the class and discuss the likelihood of these scenarios.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How has artificial intelligence transformed carpet weaving in India?
2. What was the traditional process of creating patterns on carpets using talim code?
3. Why was the traditional process slow and prone to mistakes?
4. How does computer software help weavers in the carpet weaving process?
5. How are tech companies using AI in the carpet weaving process?
6. What role does the AI system play in the manufacturing of carpets?
7. Why is innovation important in the carpet industry?
8. How have advancements in carpet making benefited long-time weavers like Feroz Ahmad Bhat?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Carpet weaving in India has been transformed by (1)______ intelligence (AI). In the past, (2)______ used a code (3)______ talim to create intricate patterns on carpets. They would receive small sections of the code and (4)______ it to know where to place each thread and which colors to use. However, this process was slow and prone to mistakes. Now, with computer software, weavers can see the entire design at once, which makes production faster and helps them spot problems early on.

Tech companies are taking it a step further by using AI in the process. Aby Mathew, from International (5)______ Assistance, is (6)______ an AI system to understand the talim code by analyzing pictures of carpets and lines of code. Although a human still needs to write the code, this AI system (7)______ speed up manufacturing by decoding the instructions for the weavers. This innovation (8)______ for the creation of new patterns and customization, which meets the changing preferences of customers who want stylish, durable, and easy-to-maintain carpets.

The carpet industry in India faces competition from Turkey and China, so it’s (9)______ to keep up with the latest manufacturing techniques. Aditya Gupta, the founder of Rug Republic, believes that innovation is crucial in every industry. While new (10)______ have been introduced for designing, washing, and (11)______ carpets, the manufacturing side still relies on traditional and handmade methods because that’s what customers want. The industry has also introduced an official tagging (12)______ that lets buyers verify the authenticity of hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets, which helps support the local economy.

These advancements in carpet making have given hope to long-time weavers like Feroz Ahmad Bhat. They have seen the industry go through ups and (13)______, but with new designs and increased speed, the art of carpet weaving is thriving once again. By combining (14)______ techniques with technological innovations, the industry has been able to (15)______ to changing demands and stay (16)______ in the global market.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is artificial intelligence and how is it being used in carpet weaving in India?
2. How do you think the use of computer software has improved the carpet weaving process?
3. Do you think using AI in carpet weaving is a positive or negative development? Why or why not?
4. How would you feel if your job as a carpet weaver was replaced by AI technology? Why?
5. Do you think the use of AI in carpet weaving will lead to more creativity and innovation in the industry? Why or why not?
6. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of using traditional and handmade methods in carpet manufacturing?
7. How important do you think it is for industries to keep up with the latest manufacturing techniques? Why?
8. Do you like the idea of being able to verify the authenticity of hand-knotted carpets through an official tagging system? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the advancements in carpet making have affected the local economy in India?
10. Do you think the combination of traditional techniques and technological innovations is a successful approach in the carpet industry? Why or why not?
11. How would you feel if you were a weaver witnessing the ups and downs of the carpet industry? Why?
12. Do you think the changes in carpet making have made the art of carpet weaving more respected and valued? Why or why not?
13. What other industries do you think could benefit from the use of artificial intelligence? Why?
14. How do you think the demand for stylish, durable, and easy-to-maintain carpets has changed over time? Why?
15. Do you think the advancements in carpet making will help the Indian industry compete with Turkey and China? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. intricate
2. prone
3. customization
4. innovation
5. durable
6. competition
7. techniques
8. authentic
9. thriving
10. adapt
11. artificial intelligence (AI)
12. decoding
13. preferences
14. verify
15. economy

Meanings:
(A) To change or adjust to new conditions
(B) Methods or ways of doing things
(C) Likely to experience or suffer from something
(D) Very detailed and complicated
(E) Able to last a long time without breaking or getting worn out
(F) Real or genuine, not fake
(G) The use of computers to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence
(H) Doing very well and being successful
(I) The wealth and resources of a country or region
(J) The introduction of new ideas or methods
(K) To check that something is true or correct
(L) Making changes to something to suit the user’s needs or desires
(M) The things a person likes or wants
(N) A situation where people or companies are trying to be more successful than others
(O) The process of converting something into a form that is easier to understand
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. How has artificial intelligence (AI) transformed carpet weaving in India?
(a) It has made the process slower and more prone to mistakes.
(b) It has eliminated the need for weavers to follow the talim code.
(c) It has made carpets less stylish, durable, and easy-to-maintain.
(d) It has made production faster and helped spot problems early on.

2. What is talim?
(a) A computer software used to design carpets.
(b) A code used by weavers to create patterns on carpets.
(c) A new manufacturing technique introduced in India.
(d) A type of carpet made in Turkey.

3. How is AI being used in the carpet weaving process?
(a) It replaces the need for human weavers.
(b) It creates new patterns and customization.
(c) It helps decode the talim code and speeds up manufacturing.
(d) It helps verify the authenticity of hand-knotted carpets.

4. Why is innovation important in the carpet industry?
(a) To eliminate traditional and handmade methods.
(b) To decrease the demand for stylish and durable carpets.
(c) To keep up with competition from other countries.
(d) To support the local economy.

5. What is the purpose of the official tagging system introduced in the carpet industry?
(a) To verify the authenticity of hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets.
(b) To eliminate competition from Turkey and China.
(c) To speed up the manufacturing process.
(d) To support the local economy.

6. What has given hope to long-time weavers like Feroz Ahmad Bhat?
(a) The advancements in carpet making and new designs.
(b) The elimination of traditional techniques in the industry.
(c) The decrease in competition from Turkey and China.
(d) The introduction of AI in the manufacturing process.

7. How has the carpet industry in India adapted to changing demands?
(a) By eliminating traditional and handmade methods.
(b) By combining traditional techniques with technological innovations.
(c) By decreasing the production speed to ensure quality.
(d) By focusing solely on the production of hand-knotted carpets.

8. What is the overall impact of AI on carpet weaving in India?
(a) It has made the industry less competitive in the global market.
(b) It has eliminated the need for human weavers.
(c) It has decreased the demand for stylish and durable carpets.
(d) It has helped the industry thrive by increasing production speed and customization.

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The industry has introduced an official tagging system to verify the authenticity of hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets, supporting the local economy.
2. This innovation allows for the creation of new designs and alterations to meet customers’ preferences for trendy, long-lasting, and low-maintenance carpets.
3. By combining traditional techniques with technological innovations, the carpet weaving industry in India has been able to adapt to changing demands and stay competitive in the global market.
4. Tech companies are using AI to analyze pictures of curtains and script lines, helping speed up manufacturing by interpreting instructions for weavers.
5. In India, carpet weaving has been improved by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
6. Computer software now enables weavers to view the complete pattern at once, making production faster and assisting them in identifying issues early on.
7. The carpet industry in India faces competition from Egypt and Brazil, so it’s important to keep up with the latest manufacturing techniques.
8. Weavers used to follow a code called talim to create patterns on carpets, but it was slow and prone to mistakes.
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. How has artificial intelligence (AI) transformed carpet weaving in India?
2. What was the traditional method that weavers used to create patterns on carpets?
3. How does computer software help weavers in the carpet weaving process?
4. What role does AI play in the manufacturing of carpets?
5. Why is innovation important in the carpet industry in India?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. How has artificial intelligence transformed carpet weaving in India?
Artificial intelligence has transformed carpet weaving in India by introducing computer software that allows weavers to see the entire design at once, making production faster and helping them identify problems early on.

2. What was the traditional process of creating patterns on carpets using talim code?
The traditional process involved weavers receiving small sections of the talim code, which they would follow to know where to place each thread and which colors to use.

3. Why was the traditional process slow and prone to mistakes?
The traditional process was slow and prone to mistakes because weavers had to work on small sections of the code at a time, making it difficult to visualize the final design and leading to errors.

4. How does computer software help weavers in the carpet weaving process?
Computer software helps weavers by allowing them to see the entire design at once, making production faster and helping them spot problems early on.

5. How are tech companies using AI in the carpet weaving process?
Tech companies are using AI in the carpet weaving process by training AI systems to understand the talim code and decode the instructions for the weavers, which speeds up manufacturing.

6. What role does the AI system play in the manufacturing of carpets?
The AI system plays a role in decoding the talim code instructions for the weavers, which helps speed up the manufacturing process.

7. Why is innovation important in the carpet industry?
Innovation is important in the carpet industry to stay competitive in the global market and meet the changing preferences of customers who want stylish, durable, and easy-to-maintain carpets.

8. How have advancements in carpet making benefited long-time weavers like Feroz Ahmad Bhat?
Advancements in carpet making have benefited long-time weavers like Feroz Ahmad Bhat by providing new designs and increased speed, allowing the art of carpet weaving to thrive once again.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) artificial
(2) weavers
(3) called
(4) follow
(5) Virtual
(6) training
(7) helps
(8) allows
(9) important
(10) technologies
(11) drying
(12) system
(13) downs
(14) traditional
(15) adapt
(16) competitive
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. intricate
Answer: (D) Very detailed and complicated

2. prone
Answer: (C) Likely to experience or suffer from something

3. customization
Answer: (L) Making changes to something to suit the user’s needs or desires

4. innovation
Answer: (J) The introduction of new ideas or methods

5. durable
Answer: (E) Able to last a long time without breaking or getting worn out

6. competition
Answer: (N) A situation where people or companies are trying to be more successful than others

7. techniques
Answer: (B) Methods or ways of doing things

8. authentic
Answer: (F) Real or genuine, not fake

9. thriving
Answer: (H) Doing very well and being successful

10. adapt
Answer: (A) To change or adjust to new conditions

11. artificial intelligence (AI)
Answer: (G) The use of computers to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence

12. decoding
Answer: (O) The process of converting something into a form that is easier to understand

13. preferences
Answer: (M) The things a person likes or wants

14. verify
Answer: (K) To check that something is true or correct

15. economy
Answer: (I) The wealth and resources of a country or region
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. How has artificial intelligence (AI) transformed carpet weaving in India?
Answer: (d) It has made production faster and helped spot problems early on.

2. What is talim?
Answer: (b) A code used by weavers to create patterns on carpets.

3. How is AI being used in the carpet weaving process?
Answer: (c) It helps decode the talim code and speeds up manufacturing.

4. Why is innovation important in the carpet industry?
Answer: (c) To keep up with competition from other countries.

5. What is the purpose of the official tagging system introduced in the carpet industry?
Answer: (a) To verify the authenticity of hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets.

6. What has given hope to long-time weavers like Feroz Ahmad Bhat?
Answer: (a) The advancements in carpet making and new designs.

7. How has the carpet industry in India adapted to changing demands?
Answer: (b) By combining traditional techniques with technological innovations.

8. What is the overall impact of AI on carpet weaving in India?
Answer: (d) It has helped the industry thrive by increasing production speed and customization.
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The industry has introduced an official tagging system to verify the authenticity of hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets, supporting the local economy. (Answer: True)
2. This innovation allows for the creation of new designs and alterations to meet customers’ preferences for trendy, long-lasting, and low-maintenance carpets. (Answer: False)
3. By combining traditional techniques with technological innovations, the carpet weaving industry in India has been able to adapt to changing demands and stay competitive in the global market. (Answer: True)
4. Tech companies are using AI to analyze pictures of curtains and script lines, helping speed up manufacturing by interpreting instructions for weavers. (Answer: False)
5. In India, carpet weaving has been improved by using artificial intelligence (AI) technology. (Answer: True)
6. Computer software now enables weavers to view the complete pattern at once, making production faster and assisting them in identifying issues early on. (Answer: False)
7. The carpet industry in India faces competition from Egypt and Brazil, so it’s important to keep up with the latest manufacturing techniques. (Answer: False)
8. Weavers used to follow a code called talim to create patterns on carpets, but it was slow and prone to mistakes. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧