Reading instruction manuals might soon be a thing of the past, especially when it comes to gadgets and electronics. Many people skip reading these guides when they buy new devices. Studies show that a lot of folks don’t even look at the manuals. For example, a survey in the UK found that one in five people ignore the manual, while a report from the US said that number could be as high as 50%. Although some people, like Caspar Herzberg, the CEO of a software company, enjoy reading manuals, most are either thrown away or never opened.

In factories and industrial settings, knowing how to use machines is really important. Engineers need to understand their equipment well, especially when problems come up that need quick fixes. To help with this, Aveva has created an AI system that can read and understand operating manuals for engineers. This AI has already learned the technical manuals for power grids and wind turbines from its parent company, Schneider Electric, and it keeps an eye on machines using a network of sensors.

This AI system, called the “industrial AI assistant,” is designed to act like experienced engineers who have years of knowledge. For instance, if an engineer finds a problem, the AI can locate it, read the manual, and suggest possible solutions. It can even create a 3D image of the broken equipment, like a turbine, which is super helpful for engineers. This technology is especially important now because many experienced engineers are retiring, taking their knowledge with them.

Other companies are also using AI to make user guides easier to create. For example, a company in California called Dozuki has made an AI tool called CreatorPro that automatically generates user guides from videos made by engineers showing how to do something. This tool creates step-by-step instructions and can translate them into different languages. Even though these AI guides still need a human to check them, they are a big step forward in solving the problems caused by an aging workforce in manufacturing. Another company, Scribe, lets users create manuals based on their actions on a computer, making it easier to share knowledge. Experts believe that AI can be a great help for engineers, giving them quick access to important information and improving efficiency at work.

Original news source: Could reading instruction manuals become a thing of the past? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will act out different professions related to the article, such as “engineer,” “AI developer,” or “factory worker,” without using words. The rest of the class will guess the profession being acted out. This will help them engage with the vocabulary and context of the article.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will discuss and vote on whether they think reading instruction manuals is necessary or not. They will then share their reasons for their opinions in small groups, encouraging them to use language to express their thoughts clearly.

– MIND MAP
Instructions: In small groups, students will create a mind map that explores the main ideas from the article, such as “AI in manufacturing,” “importance of manuals,” and “future of instruction.” Each group will then present their mind map to the class, promoting collaborative learning and vocabulary usage.

– HEADLINE CREATION
Instructions: Students will work in pairs to create catchy headlines for the article. They should aim to capture the essence of the content and use creative language. Afterward, pairs can share their headlines with the class, fostering discussion on effective writing techniques.

– TWO TRUTHS AND A LIE
Instructions: Each student will come up with two true statements and one false statement related to the article’s content. They will then share their statements with the class, and the other students will guess which one is the lie. This activity encourages comprehension and critical thinking while using new vocabulary.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What are some reasons people might not read instruction manuals for new gadgets?

2. How does the AI system created by Aveva help engineers in industrial settings?

3. In what ways can the “industrial AI assistant” support engineers when they encounter problems?

4. Why is the retirement of experienced engineers a concern for the manufacturing industry?

5. How does the AI tool CreatorPro from Dozuki help in creating user guides?

6. What are the advantages of using AI in generating manuals compared to traditional methods?

7. How does Scribe enable users to create manuals based on their actions?

8. Why do experts believe that AI can improve efficiency for engineers at work?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Reading instruction (1)______ might soon be a thing of the past, especially when it comes to gadgets and electronics. Many people skip (2)______ these guides when they buy new devices. Studies show that a lot of folks don’t even look at the manuals. For example, a survey in the UK (3)______ that one in five people ignore the manual, while a report from the US said that number could be as high as 50%. Although some people, like Caspar Herzberg, the CEO of a software (4)______, enjoy reading manuals, most are either thrown away or never opened.

In factories and industrial settings, knowing how to use machines is really important. Engineers need to understand their equipment well, especially when problems come up that need quick fixes. To help with this, Aveva has created an AI system that can read and understand operating manuals for engineers. This AI has already learned the technical manuals for (5)______ grids and wind turbines from its parent company, Schneider Electric, and it keeps an eye on machines (6)______ a (7)______ of sensors.

This AI system, called the “industrial AI assistant,” is (8)______ to act like experienced engineers who have years of knowledge. For instance, if an engineer (9)______ a problem, the AI can locate it, read the manual, and suggest possible solutions. It can even create a 3D image of the broken equipment, like a turbine, which is super helpful for engineers. This technology is especially important now because many experienced engineers are retiring, taking their knowledge with them.

Other companies are also using AI to make user guides easier to create. For example, a company in California (10)______ (11)______ has made an AI tool called CreatorPro that automatically (12)______ user guides from videos made by engineers (13)______ how to do something. This tool creates step-by-step instructions and can translate them into different languages. Even though these AI guides still need a human to check them, they are a big step forward in solving the problems caused by an aging (14)______ in manufacturing. Another company, Scribe, lets users create manuals based on their actions on a computer, making it easier to share knowledge. (15)______ believe that AI can be a great help for engineers, giving them (16)______ access to important information and improving efficiency at work.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is your opinion on reading instruction manuals? Do you usually read them when you buy something new?

2. How would you feel if you bought a new gadget and it didn’t come with a manual at all?

3. Do you think it’s a good idea to rely on AI to understand and read manuals? Why or why not?

4. Have you ever had a problem with a gadget that you couldn’t fix? What happened?

5. What is a gadget that you find difficult to use without a manual?

6. Do you think that experienced workers should train younger workers instead of relying on AI for knowledge? Why?

7. How would you feel if you had to learn how to use a complicated machine without any help?

8. Do you like the idea of AI creating user guides from videos? Why or why not?

9. What is a time when you skipped reading a manual and regretted it later?

10. How do you think technology will change the way we learn about new devices in the future?

11. Do you think more people should be encouraged to read manuals? Why or why not?

12. What is your experience with using AI tools in your daily life? Do you find them helpful?

13. How would you feel if you had to rely on an AI assistant instead of a human expert for help?

14. Do you think that the aging workforce in manufacturing is a serious issue? Why or why not?

15. What is a skill you think everyone should learn to help them use technology better? Why?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. gadgets
2. manuals
3. survey
4. industrial
5. sensors
6. turbine
7. retiring
8. generates
9. workforce
10. efficiency
11. equipment
12. automatically
13. translate
14. instructions
15. manufacturing

Meanings:
(A) Related to factories or large-scale production
(B) Leaving a job or career, usually because of age
(C) Tools or machines needed for a specific task
(D) Directions or steps on how to do something
(E) A machine that produces energy, often used in power plants
(F) Happens by itself without needing human control
(G) The group of people who work in a company or industry
(H) A study or research to gather information from people
(I) Small electronic devices or tools that have a specific function
(J) Produces or creates something
(K) Changing words from one language to another
(L) Doing something in a way that saves time and effort
(M) Devices that detect or measure changes in the environment
(N) Booklets or documents that explain how to use something
(O) The process of making products in factories
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is one reason people skip reading instruction manuals?
(a) They enjoy reading them
(b) They find them unhelpful
(c) They always lose them
(d) They prefer to guess

2. What percentage of people in the US might ignore manuals, according to the article?
(a) 25%
(b) 50%
(c) 75%
(d) 10%

3. What is the purpose of Aveva’s AI system?
(a) To sell more machines
(b) To replace engineers entirely
(c) To write manuals
(d) To help engineers understand operating manuals

4. What can the “industrial AI assistant” do when an engineer encounters a problem?
(a) Suggest possible solutions
(b) Fix the problem automatically
(c) Ignore the issue
(d) Create a new machine

5. What technology does the AI system create to assist engineers?
(a) Videos of repairs
(b) User manuals
(c) 3D images of broken equipment
(d) Social media posts

6. What is a benefit of the AI tool called CreatorPro?
(a) It replaces engineers
(b) It only works in English
(c) It generates user guides from videos
(d) It requires no human input

7. How does Scribe help users?
(a) It sells user manuals
(b) It teaches users how to write manuals
(c) It translates manuals into different languages
(d) It creates manuals based on user actions

8. Why is AI considered helpful for engineers, according to experts?
(a) It provides quick access to important information
(b) It replaces all human workers
(c) It complicates the manual-writing process
(d) It makes machines harder to use

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Many people do not read instruction manuals when they buy new gadgets and electronics.
2. Experts believe that AI can improve efficiency in engineering by providing quick access to important information.
3. A survey in the UK found that one in five people ignore the manual for new devices.
4. In the US, the number of people who skip reading manuals could be as low as 50%.
5. Aveva has not developed an AI system that helps engineers understand operating manuals.
6. AI tools like CreatorPro cannot automatically generate user guides from instructional videos.
7. This AI system cannot read technical manuals for power grids and wind turbines.
8. The industrial AI assistant can suggest solutions to problems by reading the manual and locating issues.
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. Why do many people choose not to read instruction manuals when they buy new gadgets?
2. What is the purpose of the AI system created by Aveva for engineers?
3. How does the “industrial AI assistant” help engineers when they encounter problems with machines?
4. What is the function of the AI tool called CreatorPro developed by Dozuki?
5. Why do experts believe that AI can help improve the efficiency of engineers in manufacturing?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What are some reasons people might not read instruction manuals for new gadgets?
Many people skip reading instruction manuals because they find them boring, confusing, or they think they can figure things out on their own. A survey showed that a significant number of people, particularly in the UK and the US, either ignore the manuals or never open them.

2. How does the AI system created by Aveva help engineers in industrial settings?
The AI system created by Aveva helps engineers by reading and understanding operating manuals. It assists them in troubleshooting problems by locating issues, reading the relevant parts of the manual, and suggesting possible solutions.

3. In what ways can the “industrial AI assistant” support engineers when they encounter problems?
The “industrial AI assistant” can locate problems, read the manual for guidance, suggest solutions, and even create a 3D image of the broken equipment, which helps engineers visualize and understand the issue better.

4. Why is the retirement of experienced engineers a concern for the manufacturing industry?
The retirement of experienced engineers is a concern because they take their valuable knowledge and expertise with them, which can lead to a lack of skilled workers who can quickly solve problems and operate complex machinery.

5. How does the AI tool CreatorPro from Dozuki help in creating user guides?
CreatorPro helps in creating user guides by automatically generating step-by-step instructions from videos made by engineers. It can also translate these instructions into different languages, making them more accessible.

6. What are the advantages of using AI in generating manuals compared to traditional methods?
Using AI to generate manuals can save time and effort, as it automates the process and can create guides quickly. It also allows for translations and can be tailored to specific needs, making it more efficient than traditional methods.

7. How does Scribe enable users to create manuals based on their actions?
Scribe enables users to create manuals by tracking their actions on a computer and automatically generating documentation based on what they do, which makes sharing knowledge easier.

8. Why do experts believe that AI can improve efficiency for engineers at work?
Experts believe that AI can improve efficiency for engineers because it provides quick access to important information, helps solve problems faster, and reduces the time spent on manual tasks, allowing engineers to focus on more complex work.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) manuals
(2) reading
(3) found
(4) company
(5) power
(6) using
(7) network
(8) designed
(9) finds
(10) called
(11) Dozuki
(12) generates
(13) showing
(14) workforce
(15) Experts
(16) quick
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. gadgets
Answer: (I) Small electronic devices or tools that have a specific function

2. manuals
Answer: (N) Booklets or documents that explain how to use something

3. survey
Answer: (H) A study or research to gather information from people

4. industrial
Answer: (A) Related to factories or large-scale production

5. sensors
Answer: (M) Devices that detect or measure changes in the environment

6. turbine
Answer: (E) A machine that produces energy, often used in power plants

7. retiring
Answer: (B) Leaving a job or career, usually because of age

8. generates
Answer: (J) Produces or creates something

9. workforce
Answer: (G) The group of people who work in a company or industry

10. efficiency
Answer: (L) Doing something in a way that saves time and effort

11. equipment
Answer: (C) Tools or machines needed for a specific task

12. automatically
Answer: (F) Happens by itself without needing human control

13. translate
Answer: (K) Changing words from one language to another

14. instructions
Answer: (D) Directions or steps on how to do something

15. manufacturing
Answer: (O) The process of making products in factories
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is one reason people skip reading instruction manuals?
Answer: (b) They find them unhelpful

2. What percentage of people in the US might ignore manuals, according to the article?
Answer: (b) 50%

3. What is the purpose of Aveva’s AI system?
Answer: (d) To help engineers understand operating manuals

4. What can the “industrial AI assistant” do when an engineer encounters a problem?
Answer: (a) Suggest possible solutions

5. What technology does the AI system create to assist engineers?
Answer: (c) 3D images of broken equipment

6. What is a benefit of the AI tool called CreatorPro?
Answer: (c) It generates user guides from videos

7. How does Scribe help users?
Answer: (d) It creates manuals based on user actions

8. Why is AI considered helpful for engineers, according to experts?
Answer: (a) It provides quick access to important information
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Many people do not read instruction manuals when they buy new gadgets and electronics. (Answer: True)
2. Experts believe that AI can improve efficiency in engineering by providing quick access to important information. (Answer: True)
3. A survey in the UK found that one in five people ignore the manual for new devices. (Answer: True)
4. In the US, the number of people who skip reading manuals could be as low as 50%. (Answer: False)
5. Aveva has not developed an AI system that helps engineers understand operating manuals. (Answer: False)
6. AI tools like CreatorPro cannot automatically generate user guides from instructional videos. (Answer: False)
7. This AI system cannot read technical manuals for power grids and wind turbines. (Answer: False)
8. The industrial AI assistant can suggest solutions to problems by reading the manual and locating issues. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧