Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has some exciting news! They’re working on new chatbots for their Messenger service. These chatbots will have their own “personality” and will be experts in things like holidays or cooking. Meta wants to make artificial intelligence more accurate and personalized, and this is part of that effort. But, they admit that the chatbots still have some limitations.

At a recent event, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, talked about how amazing this year has been for AI. The main chatbot, called “Meta AI,” can be used for messaging and answering questions. Even celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner are getting involved by lending their personalities to different chatbots. The goal is to create chatbots that not only give answers but also entertain us.

Zuckerberg wants us to know that the chatbots can’t answer everything just yet. They will start rolling out in the US in a few days. In addition to the chatbot news, Zuckerberg also talked about something called the metaverse. It’s like a virtual world that Meta has invested a lot of money in. They also showed off their new virtual reality headset, Quest 3, which has cameras that let you see things in augmented reality.

Even though Meta is investing a lot in the metaverse and virtual reality, they’ve actually lost $21 billion in their VR division this year. But don’t worry, the Quest 3 headset will still be available starting October 10th. At the same time Meta made their announcement, another company called OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, said that their chatbot can now browse the internet for up-to-date information. Before, it could only use data from before September 2021.

So, in summary, Meta is working on chatbots with “personality” for Facebook Messenger. These chatbots will specialize in different subjects and aim to give answers and entertain us. But they still have some limitations. Meta also talked about their investments in the metaverse and showed off their new virtual reality headset, Quest 3. Even though they’ve lost money in VR, they’re still committed to making the metaverse a reality.

Original news source: Meta announces AI chatbots with ‘personality’ (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article silently. Then, ask each group to work together to create a concise summary of the article. Encourage them to focus on the main points and key details. Afterward, have each group share their summary with the class.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Assign each group a specific question related to the article. For example, “Do you think chatbots will become a common form of communication in the future?” or “Are you excited about the idea of the metaverse?” Give the groups a few minutes to discuss their opinions and come up with reasons to support their stance. Then, have each group present their opinions to the class, allowing for a short discussion afterward.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board or on a handout. Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a vocabulary word and ask them to draw a quick sketch that represents the word. The other pairs must try to guess the word based on the drawing. After a set amount of time, rotate the vocabulary words and continue the game.

– Pros and Cons

Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Ask each group to create a list of the pros and cons of using chatbots in everyday life. Encourage them to think critically and consider different perspectives. Afterward, have each group share their lists with the class and facilitate a discussion about the advantages and disadvantages of chatbot technology.

– Future Predictions

Instructions: Ask the class to imagine what the future of chatbots and virtual reality might look like. Have them write down their predictions individually. Then, divide the class into pairs or small groups and ask them to share and discuss their predictions. Encourage them to consider the potential benefits and challenges of these technologies. Afterward, have a few groups share their predictions with the class and facilitate a discussion about the different ideas.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is Meta working on for their Messenger service?
2. How does Mark Zuckerberg describe this year in terms of AI?
3. What is the main chatbot called and what can it be used for?
4. What is the goal of creating these chatbots?
5. When will the chatbots start rolling out in the US?
6. What is the metaverse that Mark Zuckerberg talked about?
7. What is the new virtual reality headset called and when will it be available?
8. What is the recent development with OpenAI’s chatbot?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Facebook’s (1)______ company, Meta, has some exciting news! They’re working on new (2)______ for their (3)______ service. These chatbots will have their own “personality” and will be experts in things like holidays or cooking. Meta wants to make artificial intelligence more accurate and personalized, and this is part of that effort. But, they admit that the chatbots still have some limitations.

At a recent event, Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, (4)______ about how amazing this year has been for AI. The main chatbot, called “Meta AI,” can be used for messaging and answering (5)______. Even celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner are getting (6)______ by lending their personalities to different (7)______s. The goal is to create chatbots that not only give answers but also entertain us.

Zuckerberg wants us to know that the chatbots can’t answer everything just yet. They will start (8)______ out in the US in a few days. In addition to the chatbot news, Zuckerberg also talked about something called the metaverse. It’s like a virtual world that Meta has invested a lot of money in. They also showed off their new virtual (9)______ headset, (10)______ 3, which has cameras that let you see things in (11)______ reality.

Even though Meta is investing a lot in the metaverse and virtual reality, they’ve actually lost $21 billion in their VR division this year. But don’t worry, the Quest 3 headset will still be available starting October 10th. At the same time Meta made their announcement, another company (12)______ OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, said that their chatbot can now browse the internet for up-to-date (13)______. Before, it could only use data from before September 2021.

So, in summary, Meta is (14)______ on chatbots with “personality” for (15)______ Messenger. These chatbots will specialize in different subjects and aim to give answers and entertain us. But they still have some (16)______. Meta also talked about their investments in the metaverse and showed off their new virtual reality headset, Quest 3. Even though they’ve lost money in VR, they’re still committed to making the metaverse a reality.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is a chatbot and how do you think it can be useful in our daily lives?
2. How would you feel if chatbots could answer all of your questions and entertain you at the same time?
3. Do you like the idea of chatbots having their own “personality”? Why or why not?
4. Do you think artificial intelligence will continue to improve in the future? Why or why not?
5. What do you think about Meta’s investment in the metaverse? Do you think it will become a popular concept?
6. How do you think virtual reality can enhance our experiences?
7. Have you ever used a virtual reality headset? If so, what was your experience like?
8. How do you feel about Meta losing $21 billion in their VR division? Does it make you doubt their investments?
9. What are some limitations you think chatbots might have?
10. How do you think chatbots can be improved to better serve us?
11. Do you think chatbots will replace human interaction in the future? Why or why not?
12. Have you ever interacted with a chatbot before? If so, what was your experience like?
13. How do you think chatbots can be made more personalized to suit individual needs?
14. Do you think the metaverse will become a popular concept in the future? Why or why not?
15. How do you feel about the advancements in technology like chatbots and virtual reality? Do you think they are positive or negative for society? Why?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. chatbots
2. personality
3. artificial intelligence
4. limitations
5. investments
6. virtual reality
7. entertain
8. metaverse

Meanings:
(a) A virtual world that Meta is working on creating
(b) Technology that allows computers to think and learn
(c) Computer programs that can chat with people
(d) A computer-generated environment that feels real
(e) Restrictions or boundaries
(f) Money put into something to make it grow or improve
(g) Unique characteristics or traits of a person or thing
(h) To amuse or provide enjoyment
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is Meta working on for their Messenger service?
(a) New chatbots
(b) Virtual reality games
(c) Augmented reality glasses
(d) Social media filters

2. What is the goal of Meta’s chatbots?
(a) To sell products and services
(b) To give answers and entertain users
(c) To collect personal information
(d) To replace human interaction

3. Who is lending their personalities to different chatbots?
(a) Tech experts from Meta
(b) Artificial intelligence researchers
(c) Facebook users
(d) Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner

4. When will the chatbots start rolling out in the US?
(a) In a few weeks
(b) In a few months
(c) Next year
(d) In a few days

5. What did Mark Zuckerberg talk about in addition to the chatbots?
(a) The future of social media
(b) The importance of privacy
(c) The metaverse and virtual reality
(d) The history of artificial intelligence

6. What is the metaverse?
(a) A new social media platform
(b) A virtual world that Meta has invested in
(c) A type of virtual reality headset
(d) A chatbot created by Meta

7. What has Meta lost money in this year?
(a) Their VR division
(b) Their chatbot development
(c) Their social media platform
(d) Their augmented reality glasses

8. What can OpenAI’s chatbot do now that it couldn’t do before?
(a) Answer any question accurately
(b) Understand human emotions
(c) Browse the internet for up-to-date information
(d) Predict the future

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Despite making a profit in their VR division, Meta is indifferent about making the metaverse a reality.
2. These chatbots will not have their own “personality” and will not be experts in topics like holidays or cooking.
3. The chatbots will start rolling out in the US in a few days.
4. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner are lending their personalities to different chatbots.
5. Meta has divested a lot of money in the metaverse, a virtual world concept.
6. The goal is to make artificial intelligence more accurate and personalized.
7. Facebook’s parent company, Meta, is developing new chatbots for their Messenger service.
8. The main chatbot, called “Non-Meta AI,” can’t be used for messaging and answering questions.
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 is Meta working on for their Messenger service?
2. What is the goal of the chatbots that Meta is creating?
3. What is the metaverse that Mark Zuckerberg talked about?
4. What is the new virtual reality headset called and when will it be available?
5. What is the limitation of the chatbots that Meta is developing?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is Meta working on for their Messenger service?
Meta is working on new chatbots for their Messenger service.

2. How does Mark Zuckerberg describe this year in terms of AI?
Mark Zuckerberg describes this year as amazing for AI.

3. What is the main chatbot called and what can it be used for?
The main chatbot is called “Meta AI” and it can be used for messaging and answering questions.

4. What is the goal of creating these chatbots?
The goal of creating these chatbots is to make artificial intelligence more accurate and personalized, and to entertain users.

5. When will the chatbots start rolling out in the US?
The chatbots will start rolling out in the US in a few days.

6. What is the metaverse that Mark Zuckerberg talked about?
The metaverse is a virtual world that Meta has invested a lot of money in.

7. What is the new virtual reality headset called and when will it be available?
The new virtual reality headset is called Quest 3 and it will be available starting October 10th.

8. What is the recent development with OpenAI’s chatbot?
The recent development with OpenAI’s chatbot is that it can now browse the internet for up-to-date information, whereas before it could only use data from before September 2021.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) parent
(2) chatbots
(3) Messenger
(4) talked
(5) questions
(6) involved
(7) chatbot
(8) rolling
(9) reality
(10) Quest
(11) augmented
(12) called
(13) information
(14) working
(15) Facebook
(16) limitations
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. chatbots
Answer: (c) Computer programs that can chat with people

2. personality
Answer: (g) Unique characteristics or traits of a person or thing

3. artificial intelligence
Answer: (b) Technology that allows computers to think and learn

4. limitations
Answer: (e) Restrictions or boundaries

5. investments
Answer: (f) Money put into something to make it grow or improve

6. virtual reality
Answer: (d) A computer-generated environment that feels real

7. entertain
Answer: (h) To amuse or provide enjoyment

8. metaverse
Answer: (a) A virtual world that Meta is working on creating
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is Meta working on for their Messenger service?
Answer: (a) New chatbots

2. What is the goal of Meta’s chatbots?
Answer: (b) To give answers and entertain users

3. Who is lending their personalities to different chatbots?
Answer: (d) Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner

4. When will the chatbots start rolling out in the US?
Answer: (d) In a few days

5. What did Mark Zuckerberg talk about in addition to the chatbots?
Answer: (c) The metaverse and virtual reality

6. What is the metaverse?
Answer: (b) A virtual world that Meta has invested in

7. What has Meta lost money in this year?
Answer: (a) Their VR division

8. What can OpenAI’s chatbot do now that it couldn’t do before?
Answer: (c) Browse the internet for up-to-date information
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Despite making a profit in their VR division, Meta is indifferent about making the metaverse a reality. (Answer: False)
2. These chatbots will not have their own “personality” and will not be experts in topics like holidays or cooking. (Answer: False)
3. The chatbots will start rolling out in the US in a few days. (Answer: True)
4. Celebrities like Snoop Dogg and Kendall Jenner are lending their personalities to different chatbots. (Answer: True)
5. Meta has divested a lot of money in the metaverse, a virtual world concept. (Answer: False)
6. The goal is to make artificial intelligence more accurate and personalized. (Answer: True)
7. Facebook’s parent company, Meta, is developing new chatbots for their Messenger service. (Answer: True)
8. The main chatbot, called “Non-Meta AI,” can’t be used for messaging and answering questions. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧