“Conversation Starter Lesson Series: Upper-Intermediate” is designed for intermediate-level ESL learners who want to improve their fluency and confidence in speaking English.
Each lesson includes an engaging reading material with audio, vocabulary and expressions, comprehension questions, and discussion questions to be used for one to one class, group class, or self-study for both online and offline classes.
Unit 8: Technology and Innovation
Story 01: The Growing Importance of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Key Lesson Vocabulary & Expressions: Look over and review before proceeding.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Subset
- Algorithms
- Sector
- Diagnose
- Fraud
- Autonomous vehicles
- Datasets
- Revolutionizing
Read or Listen to the following passage:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are rapidly transforming various sectors, including finance, healthcare, retail, and transportation, among others. AI refers to the development of intelligent systems that can perform tasks that usually require human intelligence. On the other hand, ML is a subset of AI that involves the creation of algorithms that can learn and improve from data.
AI and ML are critical components in the advancement of technology, and their importance continues to grow. Here are five essential facts about AI and ML:
- The use of AI and ML is increasing in the healthcare sector. AI algorithms are being used to identify and diagnose diseases, analyze medical images, and develop personalized treatments for patients.
- AI and ML are being used in finance to detect fraud, reduce risk, and improve decision-making processes. For instance, AI algorithms can analyze market trends and predict changes in the stock market.
- In transportation, AI and ML are being used to improve safety and efficiency. For instance, autonomous vehicles use ML algorithms to learn from past experiences and make decisions while on the road.
- AI and ML are being used in retail to improve customer experience and increase sales. For example, AI algorithms can analyze customer behavior and personalize product recommendations.
- As the amount of data being generated continues to increase, the importance of AI and ML will only continue to grow. AI and ML algorithms can analyze and make sense of large datasets, which is crucial in many industries.
In conclusion, AI and ML are revolutionizing various industries, and their importance will only continue to grow as technology advances. The use of AI and ML has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance decision-making processes in many sectors. Therefore, it is essential to understand the benefits of these technologies and invest in their development.
Comprehension Questions:
- What is AI, and how is it different from ML?
- Which sector is using AI to identify and diagnose diseases?
- What are some of the benefits of using AI and ML in finance?
- How is AI and ML improving safety in transportation?
- Why is the importance of AI and ML likely to grow in the future?l?
Conversations Starters:
- How do you think AI and ML will impact the job market in the future?
- Do you think the use of AI and ML in the healthcare sector will lead to better patient outcomes? Why or why not?
- What are some of the ethical considerations that need to be addressed in the development and use of AI and ML?
- Have you ever been diagnosed with a medical condition using AI or ML? How did you feel about the process?
- What are some of the benefits of using AI and ML to detect and prevent fraud in the financial sector?
- How do you think the use of autonomous vehicles will impact the transportation industry and society as a whole?
- Do you believe that the use of AI and ML in retail is a positive development? Why or why not?
- In what ways can AI and ML be used to improve customer experience in various industries?
- What are some of the challenges that need to be addressed in using AI and ML to analyze and interpret large datasets?
- What role do you think individuals should play in shaping the future of AI and ML development and use?
